Category Archives: Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Uttar Pradesh’s daughters have brought glory to the state, with Ifra from Bhadohi securing 24th rank in the UPSC exam, while Ishita from Gorakhpur also made history.

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Bhadohi, UTTAR PRADESH :

Ishita Sharma (right) and Ifra Shams Ansari (right)

The daughters of Uttar Pradesh achieved remarkable success in the UPSC 2025. Ifrah Shams Ansari of Bhadohi and Ishita Sharma of Gorakhpur brought honor to their state and families by securing high ranks. Their achievement has brought joy to their families.

Daughters from Bhadohi and Gorakhpur districts of Uttar Pradesh have brought glory to the state by passing the UPSC-2025 examination. Bhadohi’s daughter Ifra Shams Ansari achieved All India Rank (AIR) 24, while Gorakhpur’s daughter Ishita Sharma achieved AIR 26. Their success has brought joy to the entire district and family. Ifra Shams Ansari is set to become the district’s first IAS officer.

Ifra Shams Ansari, a resident of Rotahan village in the Chauri Bazaar area of ​​Bhadohi city, has created history by securing an All India Rank of 24 in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC-2025) examination. Her father, Shams Ansari, said he could not be happier during this holy month of Ramadan. He said the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious and influential civil services in the country, and his daughter’s selection is a matter of pride for the entire family.

Ifra completed her primary education from Lucknow.

Her father, Shams Ansari, is in the carpet business. He said Ifra completed her primary education at La Martiniere Girls’ College in Lucknow. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi. She furthered her education by earning a Masters (M.A.) in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics.

Took coaching from RCA

To prepare for the Civil Services Examination, she took coaching from the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) of Jamia Millia Islamia, after which she successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her father, Shams Ansari, said that his daughter was inspired to take the exam by her classmate, Shruti Sharma, who had passed the UPSC Civil Services Examination two years earlier and is currently an IAS officer.

Learn where Ifra got her inspiration from.

Shruti Sharma’s success gave Ifra the confidence and inspiration that she too could reach this level. After discussions with her family, she began preparing for the Civil Services Examination. She secured a rank in her first attempt, but due to her relatively low rank, she re-took the exam and secured 24th rank in her second attempt. Shams Ansari further stated that his family always provides full support to children.

Gorakhpur’s daughter created history

Ifrah is the second of their children and is no less important to the family than a son. They said that their daughter has brought them the greatest joy during this holy month of Ramadan. The family wishes that she continues to serve the nation and society with excellence, and that Allah grants her continued success. Ishita Sharma, a resident of Raptinagar, Gorakhpur, is no less. She secured the 26th rank in the UPSC 2025 results in her fourth attempt.

Completed studies from Delhi University

After completing her B.Com and M.Com from Delhi University, Ishita chose commerce as her optional subject. She began preparing for the Civil Services exam while living at home. She made it to the interview stage on her third attempt, but was unsuccessful. However, Ishita secured the 26th rank in the UPSC exam on her fourth attempt. Ishita’s father, DK Sharma, is a bank manager, and her mother, Archana Sharma, is a homemaker.

Passed NET-JRF in the first attempt

Ishita passed the NET-JRF in her first attempt. It was only after that that she began preparing for the civil services. Ishita attributes her success to dedication, hard work, and commitment. She emphasized that choosing an optional subject for the civil services should be thoughtful. She gave full credit for her success to her elder brother. She stated that she would work to improve education while holding this position.

(Report- Rohit Gupta/Bhadohi- Pradeep Tiwari/Gorakhpur)

source: http://www.tv9hindi.com / TV9 Bharatvarsh / Home> Hindi News> State> Uttar Pradesh / by Rohit Gupta (Bhadohi) / Pradeep Tiwari (Gorakhpur) / translated from Hindi to English / March 07th, 2026

Meet Fathima Shehza: CA Intermediate January 2026 Topper

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Angadipuram Village (Perinthalmann Taluk, Malappuram District), KERALA :

Fathima Shehza K has topped the ICAI CA Intermediate January 2026 exam the result of which has been declared on Sunday March 08, 2026.

CA Inter Topper January 2026: 

Fathima Shehza K has topped the ICAI CA Intermediate January 2026 exam the result of which has been declared on Sunday March 08, 2026.

As per the results announced by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Fathima Shehza K secured the All India Rank 2 (AIR 2) in the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Intermediate examination held in January 2026.

Fathima Shehza scored a percentage of 84 per cent with a score of 504 out of the total 600 marks. Fathima Shehza missed the Top Rank by just 4 marks which went to Kanhiya Lal.

Kanhiya Lal bagged 508 out of the total 600 marks and secured the All India Rank 1 (AIR 1) in CA Inter January 2026 exam.

Fathima Shehza is a resident of Perintalmann, Kerala whereas Kanhiya Lal hails from Ellenabad, Haryana.

Faridabad’s Vanya Bansal has secured the 3rd rank with 83 per cent and 498 marks.

Who is Fathima Shehza?

The CA Inter January 2026 Topper, Fathima Shehza is a resident of Angadipuram – a small village of Perintalmann Talka in the Muslim dominated Malappuram district of Kerala.

Fathima had earlier also topped the ICAI CA Foundation exam in January 2025. She had scored 356 marks in CA Foundation exam held for January 2025 session, and had emerged All Kerala Topper.

Talking to media after topping the CA Foundation Exam last year, Fathima had said her target was even higher. “Topping Kerala state is not my target. My dream is to secure the top rank at all India level”, she had said last year.

She is a student of Profinz College – also called Profinz Perinthalmanna, a prominent Commerce (CA, CMA, ACCA, CS) coaching institute in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram district.

After clearing CA Foundation and Intermediate exams, Fathima is is now eligible to start her articleship (practical training) while preparing for CA Final.

ICAI CA Intermediate Result January 2026

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) declared the CA Inter Jan 2026 result on Sunday March 8, 2026.

A total of 1,05,526 candidates had appeared in the CA Inter Jan 2026 Group 1 exams. Out of them, 14,733 candidates cleared the exam, registering a pass percentage of 13.96. CA Inter Group II exam saw a pass percentage of 15.54, with 10,798 candidates clearing the exam out of 69,477 who appeared.

ICAI conducts these exams twice a year, in January and July.

The CA Intermediate January 2026 examinations were conducted in multiple shifts across centres in India and abroad. As per the official schedule, Group I exams were held on January 6, 8 and 10, while Group II exams were conducted on January 15, 17 and 19, 2026.

Candidates who appeared for the exam can check their results on the official websites at icai.nic.in and icai.org.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / March 09th, 2026

38 from Jamia Millia RCA crack UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025

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INDIA :

As many as 38 candidates from the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA), Centre for Coaching and Career Planning, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 the result of which was declared today i.e. Friday March 06, 2026.

UPSC CSE Result 2025: 

As many as 38 candidates from the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA), Centre for Coaching and Career Planning, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) have cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 the result of which was declared today i.e. Friday March 06, 2026.

Significantly, 04 candidates have secured positions within the top 50 ranks and shine at All India Ranks 7, 14, 24, and 29, becoming top performers from the Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Among the 38 candidates from the Jamia RCA UPSC Coaching Centre who have successfully qualified in the examination, securing positions in various All India and Central Services, 15 are women candidates.

“This highlights the important role played by Jamia Millia Islamia in promoting equity and inclusivity within the ‘steel frame of India'”, the university said.

List of JMI RCA UPSC CSE 2025 Toppers

  1. A R Rajah Mohaideen (7)
  2. Surabhi Yadav (14)
  3. Ifra Shams Ansari (24)
  4. Nabiya Parvez (29)
  5. Hassan Khan (95)
  6. Navneet Kaur (111)
  7. Sakshi Saxena (151)
  8. Towseef Ahmad Ganai (254)
  9. Anupriya Rai (258)
  10. Ishita Sharma (268)
  11. Md Ishteyaque Rahman (354)
  12. Shadab Ali Khan (415)
  13. Manmohan Tongaria (425)
  14. Muhammed Swalah T A (429)
  15. Abhishek Jayant (441)
  16. Nazia Parween (478)
  17. Kaali Prasad (516)
  18. Gulfiza (535)
  19. Namita Soni (547)
  20. Hashmi Mohammad Umar (549)
  21. Sharukh Khan (575)
  22. Azeem Ahmad (588)
  23. Saista Parwin (614)
  24. Mohd Irfan Kayamkhani (646)
  25. Mohsina Bano (648)
  26. Ghulam Maya Din (663)
  27. Danish Rabbani Khan (665)
  28. Mohd Abuzar Ansari (671)
  29. Muskan Verma (771)
  30. Sneha Yadav (782)
  31. Eslavath Sri Ram Harsha (823)
  32. Ghulam Haider (832)
  33. Pardhuman Seth (853)
  34. Anshul Singh (873)
  35. Vivek Kumar (882)
  36. Lavanya Sp (891)
  37. Borkar Suresh Liladharrao (912)
  38. Md Shahid Raza Khan (955)

About JMI RCA

The Jamia Residential Coaching Academy is renowned in the field of coaching students for Civil Services exams. The academy provides free coaching and training to candidates from SC, ST, Women, and Minority communities who are preparing for the Civil Services Exams and other competitive examinations.

The Jamia RCA provides free coaching and training to the students with a structured learning environment, including a 24×7 library facility and an ecosystem that is one of the best in the country for aspirants of the Civil Services and other competitive examinations.

The academy has consistently given good results in the past, including the UPSC topper in the Civil Services Examination and other Central and State Services toppers. Since its inception, RCA has given more than 600 selections in Civil Services and other Central and State Services.

UPSC Civil Services Result 2025

The Union Public Service Commission or UPSC announced the Civil Services Final Results Friday March 06, 2026. The UPSC declared the list of the UPSC CSE Toppers 2025 based on the result of the written part of Civil Services Examination, 2025 held by the Union Public Service Commission in August, 2025 and the interviews for Personality Test held in December, 2025 – February, 2026.

As many as 53 Muslims have figured in the list of 958 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2025 exams.

Anuj Agnihotri has secured All India Rank 1 (AIR 1), and is UPSC Civil Services 2025 All India Topper. Rajeshwari Suve M has bagged the All India Rank 2 (AIR2) and Akansh Dhull has secured the 3rd position (AIR3).

The toppers have been recommended for various Civil Services posts including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.

Of the total 958 CSE Toppers 2025, 317 are General candidates, 104 EWS, 306 OBC, 158 SC, and 73 ST.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / March 06th, 2026

UPSC Civil Services Result 2025 Out: Full List of Muslim Toppers

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INDIA :

As many as 53 Muslims figured in the list of 958 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2025 exams results of which was declared by the UPSC Friday March 06, 2026.

UPSC Civil Services Result 2025: 

As many as 53 Muslims figured in the list of 958 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2025 exams results of which was declared by the UPSC Friday March 06, 2026.

As many as 04 Muslims – A R Rajah Mohaideen, Ifra Shams Ansari, Nabiya Parvez and Hassan Khan, figured in the coveted list of Top 100.

The result of Muslims in the Civil Services 2025 exams has improved as compared to the last year when only 26 Muslims had made to the final list.

List of Muslim Toppers with Ranks

1. 7 – 0818306 – A R Rajah Mohaideen
2. 24 – 6409132 – Ifra Shams Ansari
3. 29 – 0806993 – Nabiya Parvez
4. 95 – 0807895 – Hassan Khan
5. 124 – 0323682 – Arfa Usmani
6. 135 – 0607625 – Khan Saima Seraj Ahmed
7. 157 – 0851961 – Wasim Ur Rahman
8. 253 – 0413785 – Sophia Siddiqui
9. 254 – 1801309 – Towseef Ahmad Ganaie
10. 307 – 0830255 – Mantasha
11. 321 – 5811575 – Asad Aqeel
12. 354 – 4116180 – Md Ishteyaque Rahman
13. 382 – 6315003 – Mohammed Ashmil Shah
14. 411 – 1201049 – Shahida Begum S
15. 415 – 0841896 – Shadab Ali Khan
16. 429 – 1412531 – Muhammed Swalah T A
17. 455 – 6303619 – Shoiab
18. 478 – 6408494 – Nazia Parween
19. 485 – 1210110 – Sheik Mohamed Habisudeen S
20. 497 – 1912530 – Sheik Mohamed Nishath M
21. 513 – 5404215 – Minhaj Shakeel
22. 535 – 2105608 – Gulfiza
23. 549 – 6418492 – Hashmi Mohammad Umar
24. 575 – 0864413 – Sharukh Khan
25. 576 – 1907730 – Asna Anwar
26. 581 – 1804448 – Muneeb Afzal Parrah
27. 588 – 6405397 – Azeem Ahmad
28. 614 – 6421470 – Saista Parwin
29. 625 – 8003085 – Noor Alam
30. 646 – 6408831 – Mohd Irfan Kayamkhani
31. 648 – 2602406 – Mohsina Bano
32. 663 – 3402501 – Ghulam Maya Din
33. 665 – 2626864 – Danish Rabbani Khan
34. 668 – 5803808 – Md Nayab Anjum
35. 671 – 6407027 – Mohd Abuzar Ansari
36. 678 – 1139935 – Insa Khan
37. 695 – 5703524 – Abdul Sufiyan K
38. 708 – 2402117 – Fairuz Fathima M
39. 713 – 1904976 – Mohamed Hashim K
40. 718 – 1902416 – Muhammed Suhail
41. 741 – 0328051 – Thousif Ulla Khan
42. 763 – 3403061 – Koh E Safa
43. 764 – 0619109 – Sana Azmi
44. 773 – 4002952 – Reshma M
45. 811 – 3409679 – Yassar Ahmed Bhatti
46. 832 – 3401291 – Ghulam Haider
47. 860 – 1913151 – Mohamed Shezin C P
48. 869 – 3402386 – Mohd Ajaz Ul Rehman
49. 886 – 1804050 – Azhar Asif Khan
50. 936 – 3409886 – Mohd Sarfraz Choudhary
51. 942 – 1224289 – Abdulla Afridh A
52. 955 – 8001862 – Md Shahid Raza Khan
53. 957 – 0869957 – Irfan Ahmed Lone
54 and 55. It now turned out that there are also “Jahana Sareen V P” – having roll number 5702338 and All India Rank 511, and Shiyad, having roll number 1907064 and rank 743, should also be included in the list.

(Disclaimer: The UPSC does not reveal the religious identity of candidates. The above list has been compiled based on the names of candidates as mentioned in the UPSC Main result released by the Commission. Few names are Muslim sounding but are also used by people belonging to more than one religion. Accrodingly, this list is not final. Also some names might have been missing from the list, or if included, they might not be necessarily a Muslim.

UPSC Civil Services Toppers

The UPSC declared the list of UPSC CSE Toppers based on the result of the written part of Civil Services Examination, 2025 held by the Union Public Service Commission in August, 2025 and the interviews for Personality Test held in December, 2025 – February, 2026.

Anuj Agnihotri has secured All India Rank 1 (AIR 1), and is UPSC Civil Services 2025 All India Topper. Rajeshwari Suve M has bagged the All India Rank 2 (AIR2) and Akansh Dhull has secured the 3rd position (AIR3).

The toppers have been recommended for various Civil Services posts including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.

Of the total 958 CSE Toppers 2025, 317 are General candidates, 104 EWS, 306 OBC, 158 SC, and 73 ST.

UPSC Civil Services Result 2025 – Top 25

1. 1131589 Anuj Agnihotri
2. 4000040 Rajeshwari Suve M
3. 3512521 Akansh Dhull
4. 0834732 Raghav Jhunjhunwala
5. 0409847 Ishan Bhatnagar
6. 6410067 Zinnia Aurora
7. 0818306 A R Rajah Mohaideen
8. 0843487 Pakshal Secretry
9. 0831647 Astha Jain
10. 1523945 Ujjwal Priyank
11. 1512091 Yashaswi Raj Vardhan
12. 0840280 Akshit Bhardwaj
13. 7813999 Ananya Sharma
14. 5402316 Surabhi Yadav
15. 3507500 Simrandeep Kaur
16. 0867445 Monika Srivastava
17. 0829589 Chitwan Jain
18. 5604518 Sruthii R
19. 0105602 Nisar Dishant Amrutlal
20. 6630448 Ravi Raaz
21. 5810539 Shubham Singh
22. 0865516 Geetika Arora
23. 1018309 Jeenu Sri Jaswanth Chandra
24. 6409132 Ifra Shams Ansari
25. 3522397 Bhavika Chopra

Performance of Muslims in Civil Services Since 2009

In 2024, a total of 26 Muslims figured in the list of 1,009 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2024 exams result of which was declared by the UPSC on April 22, 2025.

In 2023, a total of 1,016 candidates were recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for different Civil Services posts. Of them 51 were Muslims.

In 2022, a total number of 933 candidates were recommended for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other civil services posts. Of them 30 were Muslims.

In 2021, a total of 685 were recommended in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 Merit List. Of them, 21 were Muslims. This was the worst performance of Muslim candidates in a decade.

On ther hand, a total of 31 Muslims had cracked the Civil Services Exam (CSE), also known as IAS exam, in 2020 when UPSC had recommended 761 candidates for the top CS posts.

In 2019, 42 Muslims had cracked the exam whereas in 2018 just 27 Muslims had made it to the final result.

The years 2016 and 2017 were the brightest period for Muslim candidates. In 2016, 52 Muslims figured in the list of successful candidates whereas in 2017 their tally was 50.

In 2015, 34 Muslims were among the 1,078 candidates recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) whereas 38 Muslims were in the list of total 1,236 candidates in 2014.

In 2013, a total of 34 Muslims had cleared the exam, whereas in 2012, 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates, four of them were among top 100.

Similarly in 2012, 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates and in 2011, 31 Muslims were among the 920 selected for the civil services.

Likewise, in 2010 among the 875 successful candidates 21 were Muslims with Dr. Shah Faisal of Kashmir topping the exam at the national level.

In 2009, a total of 31 Muslims were in the list of 791 successful candidates.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / March 09th, 2026

Shama Mohammad: Battling patriarchy and breaking barriers

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Cherukollayi (Kannur District), KERALA :

Shama Mohammad, AICC spokesperson

Shama Mohammad, AICC spokesperson and now over a decade in politics, knows all too well the obstacles women face in Indian politics. The numbers speak for themselves: despite the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, no Muslim woman from Congress was given a Lok Sabha ticket in 2024, and only two serve as MLAs nationally.

“The biggest obstacles for a woman to progress or survive in politics, especially in Kerala, are men,” she says bluntly. “When I started my journey in Kerala district politics, men in the party felt I can’t make it. And when I started making it, they didn’t like it.”

Shama lists three roadblocks on her way: “First, I am not a dynast, second, I am a woman, and third, I’m a Muslim.”

Unlike Congress, Muslim women like Sofia Firdous in Odisha or Kaneez Fatima in Karnataka, both backed by political families, Shama has no dynastic support. “You won’t find a single Muslim woman in politics who is fighting her way ahead on her own,” she says.

While a party like the Trinamul Congress has actively promoted women — with three out of its five MPs in West Bengal being women — Congress continues to lag,” she adds. (Trinamul Congress has the highest representation of women in Lok Sabha at 38 per cent compared to 13 per cent women by Congress and BJP.)

Her journey into politics didn’t happen overnight. A dentist and then a reporter with ZEE News, Shama grew up in Kuwait, watching debates on BBC, Al Jazeera and other channels with her father, who was passionate about world affairs. “The interest I have today is inherent, as politics is ingrained in my family,” she says.

Known today as a feisty and articulate spokesperson, she developed her political voice over years of actively taking an interest in national and international news, watching and then taking part in media debates, and later, hands-on work in Kerala district politics.

Her media career eventually brought her closer to politics. “I remember watching Manish Sharma, Abhishek Manu Singhvi — my colleagues in AICC now — fighting it out in a war of words on TV evening after evening,” she recalls.

While her job at ZEE News didn’t give her much chance to cover politics, her colleagues recognised her passion, and one of them sent her to meet Randeep Surjewala in the Congress media department. She was soon working for the party, travelling between Pune, where her husband and children were, and Delhi for television debates. “There was no Zoom or Skype then; one had to be physically present for the debates,” she says.

Amidst her work in the media department, she also decided to start working at the district level for the party in her home state of Kerala. But that came with its own challenges.  “All this took a huge toll on my children,” she admits. Her elder son was just 14, and her younger was 11 at the time. “But work meant leaving them even as my husband was away in Abu Dhabi again.” Balancing family and political ambitions was a struggle, yet she persisted.

Despite the hurdles, Shama’s commitment to change pushed her on. “I came to politics because I saw rapists, extortionists, and other anti-social elements in Parliament, and we only complain without doing anything about it. So, I wanted to be part of the change,” she says. As a Muslim, she has faced criticism for her faith and assumptions about her patriotism. But this has only made her more resilient: “Because I’m a Muslim, I have to go to Pakistan, I’m a jihadi, I’m anti-national… and I have to take all this,” she adds.

While her progress within the party remains limited due to patriarchy, Shama has turned her energy to grassroots work in Kannur, Kerala, through her Zoya Charitable Trust. “Why I came to politics was to help people, and my trust is in doing precisely that,” she says.

The trust, started in 2018, initially focused on renovating schools, especially following the floods of 2019. It has recently launched a sports school in the district, best known for athlete PT Usha, and another sports school is coming up with funding from the Panchsheel Group, a real estate group. Beyond sports, the trust works on healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment.

Asked what she would like to change about Congress, Shama doesn’t hold back: “Give more tickets to women. Give capable and hardworking women representation as the TMC does.” She knows change is slow, but remains undeterred. “Kerala has 51 per cent women, and if I’m sidelined, I take it as a challenge,” she says. For Shama, being a Muslim and a woman in politics is not just a struggle; it’s a motivation for her to keep pushing, both within her  party and through her work at the grassroots.

With Kerala heading once again into election mode, the left-led coalition and the Congress-led coalition will be pitted against each other. Whether her words and vision for women’s representation in politics will become reality remains to be seen, but Shama Mohammad continues her journey, determined to make a difference.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Sreelatha Menon / March 09th, 2026

Maximum words written in 5 minutes by a teen using Arabic calligraphy

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Ernakulam, KERALA :

The record for writing the maximum number of words in 5 minutes using Arabic calligraphy was set by Nourin Noufal P.N. (born on August 31, 2004) of Ernakulam, Kerala.

She neatly wrote 15 words on different sheets of paper in 5 minutes with a marker pen, using Arabic calligraphy, at the age of 18 years, 10 months and 11 days, as confirmed on July 11, 2023.

source: http://www.indiabookofrecords.in / India Book of Records / Home> Human Story / by IBR Team / August 18th, 2023

Turning Failures into Success: UP’s Anjum Ara Tops Judicial Service Exam

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Prayagraj, UTTAR PRADESH :

Educated at Allahabad University, the daughter of a State Bank of India officer credits self-study, family support and disciplined preparation to secure first rank

New Delhi :

In a story of determination, faith and steady hard work, Anjum Ara from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh has secured first rank in the Chhattisgarh Provincial Judicial Service Examination, becoming a judge and bringing pride to her home state. Her success has been widely celebrated in Prayagraj, where neighbours and well-wishers described her achievement as a moment of honour for the city.

Anjum, who comes from an educated Muslim family, said her journey was shaped by a personal loss that changed the direction of her life. Her uncle, whom she lovingly called Bade Abu, served as an Additional District Judge. His death left a deep impact on her and inspired her to choose the path of judicial service. “I used to call him Bade Abu,” Anjum recalled. “After he passed away, I made up my mind that I would become a judge like him and serve society.”

She completed her early schooling at Central Academy in Jhunsi town in Prayagraj District before pursuing her BA and LLB from the University of Allahabad. Reflecting on her university years, Anjum said the Law Faculty played a major role in shaping her approach towards legal studies. “The Law Faculty taught me to understand the law, not just memorise it,” she said. “Our professors focused on practical learning. That helped me a lot in the judicial exams.” She added that because of the strong academic environment at the university, she did not feel the need to rely on costly coaching institutes. “If your basics are clear, you can prepare on your own,” she said.

Her father, Shamim Ahmed, works as an assistant manager at the State Bank of India, while her mother, Akhtari Begum, is a homemaker. Anjum described her parents as her biggest support system. She said her preparation was entirely self-driven and disciplined. “I studied five to six hours every day with full focus,” she explained. 

For the mains examination, she focused strongly on judgment writing. She regularly practised answer writing and carefully studied judgments delivered by local courts in Chhattisgarh to understand how decisions are framed. “I practised writing answers regularly. I also studied judgments from local courts in Chhattisgarh to understand how decisions are structured,” she said. She also credited her habit of reading newspapers daily for helping her during the interview stage. “Current affairs helped me respond confidently,” she added.

At home, her family ensured that her studies were never disturbed. “They made sure there was no noise while I studied. They always encouraged me, especially when I failed in the Rajasthan and Delhi judicial exams,” Anjum said. Her father said the family never allowed disappointment to take over. “We always believed in her ability. Failure is part of life. We told her not to lose hope,” he said. Her mother added, “She worked very hard day and night. We only tried to give her a calm environment.”

Before achieving success in Chhattisgarh, Anjum faced setbacks in other states. She admitted that those failures were painful but also important lessons. “Failures taught me where I was lacking,” she said. “Instead of getting upset, I improved my answer writing and strengthened my understanding of the law.” Her perseverance paid off when the results were declared and she secured the top rank in the state.

Residents in Prayagraj expressed pride in her achievement. A neighbour said, “This is a proud moment for the entire area. She has shown that with hard work, anything is possible.” A former teacher from the University of Allahabad said, “Anjum was always sincere and focused. Her success proves that strong academic grounding and discipline make a real difference.”

Now appointed as a judge, Anjum says her goal is to carry out her duties with honesty and integrity. “I want to fulfil my responsibilities towards society through the judiciary with sensitivity,” she said. “Justice should be fair and humane.” Her achievement is being seen as an inspiration, particularly for young women from minority communities who dream of entering the judiciary.

Anjum also shared advice for aspirants preparing for judicial services. She urged students to build a strong grasp of the basic language of law. She advised regular answer writing practice for the mains examination and stressed the importance of understanding how court judgments are read and written. She encouraged students to maintain a routine of five to six hours of focused study daily and not to lose heart in the face of failure. “There is no easy way,” she said. “You have to stay focused and believe in yourself.”

From the classrooms of Prayagraj to securing the top rank in Chhattisgarh, Anjum Ara’s journey reflects discipline, patience and family support. As she prepares to take her place on the bench, many young aspirants now look to her story as proof that steady effort and belief in one’s goal can turn a dream into reality.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Indian Muslims / by Mohammad Bin Ismail / February 23rd, 2026

From Balaghat to bureaucracy: Farkhanda Qureshi’s inspiring rise to UPSC Rank 67

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Balaghat, MADHYA PRADESH:

Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh):

When she was in Class 8, a young girl in Balaghat sat watching television as district collector B Chandrasekharan appeared on a local channel. For many, it was just another news segment. For Farkhanda Qureshi, it was a turning point. In that moment, a dream quietly took root — she would one day become a civil servant.

Years later, that dream has turned into reality.

Farkhanda Qureshi, a determined young woman from the small town of Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, has secured an impressive 67th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. She will soon begin her training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Dehradun, stepping into the journey she once only imagined.

“I had decided that one day I would become a collector and work for society,” she recalls — a promise she made to herself as a schoolgirl.

Her success did not come easily. Farkhanda began preparing for the UPSC in 2021. The road was marked by setbacks and disappointments. Yet, she chose persistence over defeat. It was her fourth attempt that finally brought her success.

Through every failure, her parents stood firmly beside her. “My parents never let me break down. They kept telling me that I would succeed one day. Without their support, I might have given up after my first or second attempt,” she shared with media persons.

Farkhanda’s preparation strategy challenges common myths about the UPSC. She believes that marathon study sessions are not the key. “Studying 18 hours a day is not necessary. What matters is consistency and the right strategy,” she says. She dedicated 6 to 8 focused hours daily, ensuring that she studied every single day. Previous years’ question papers, standard reference books, newspapers, and current affairs formed the backbone of her preparation.

An alumna of St Mary’s School for her 10th standard and Methodist Mission for her 12th, Farkhanda believes that coming from a small town was never a disadvantage. “Balaghat has never been my weakness. If young people here get the right guidance and resources, they too can achieve national success,” she asserts.

She calls her father, Abdul Malik Qureshi, a lawyer, and her mother, Nikhat Anjum Qureshi, a homemaker, her true heroes. Their faith in her, she says, is the foundation of her achievement.

Farkhanda Qureshi’s journey is more than a rank on a list. It is a reminder that dreams born in small towns can reach the highest corridors of power — with courage, consistency, and unwavering support.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Balaghat / February 26th, 2026

Mumtaza Begum’s sheep farm is inspiring women in Kashmir

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Business & Economy, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Watrina Village (Bandipora District, North Kashmir), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Mumtaza Begum, Sheep farm owner

Mumtaza Begum, a 33-year-old homemaker from Watrina village in Bandipora district, North Kashmir, has changed her life through sheep farming. Despite limited resources, social challenges, and the compulsion to drop out of college early, Mumtaza refused to give up and is today recognised as a successful female entrepreneur in the area.

Mumtaza’s story is one of struggle and the spirit of fighting out adversity. Financial difficulties forced her to drop out of college, but she never gave up on her dreams. Her matrimonial family had 10 to 15 sheep, which were reared using traditional methods. This sparked the idea of ​​pursuing sheep farming on a larger scale.

Mumtaza’s dream wasn’t limited to mere subsistence; she wanted to turn it into a systematic and successful business.

With this thought in mind, she approached the Animal Husbandry Department in Bandipora. With the department’s guidance, she applied under the state-sponsored subsidy scheme, “Mini Sheep Farm.” In February 2019, she was selected and allotted a unit of 50 sheep.

Sheep rearing requires hard work and patience. Besides, for Mumtaza, the lack of experience was also a major challenge. But Mumtaza didn’t give up. Through persistent hard work, a passion for learning, and a strong will, she gradually expanded her business. Over time, her experience grew, and her farm expanded.

Mumtaza credits her family, especially her husband, for her success. She says that her husband stood by her every step of the way. “He is always there for me, offering emotional support and actual help with work,” she says.

Mumtaza believes that family support is crucial for women entrepreneurs, especially when they have to juggle both home and work responsibilities.

Mumtaza also praises the officials of the Animal Husbandry Department for her success. Proper guidance, technical advice, and knowledge of government schemes helped her overcome many challenges. With the department’s support, she could manage her farm efficiently and increase production.

Today, Mumtaza Begum owns a successful farm with over 210 sheep. She earns a net income of over 5 lakh rupees annually. Most of her sheep are sold during Eid al-Adha, providing her with a substantial income. This work has not only improved her financial situation but also boosted her confidence and self-worth.

Mumtaza no longer considers herself merely a sheep herder; She wants to inspire other women to opt for entrepreneurship.

She shares her experiences with women and encourages them to move forward. She says that if women utilise the opportunities available to them, they can certainly improve their social and economic status.

Mumtaza says that the true rewards of hard work come when one proves oneself. For her, sheep farming is not just a means of earning money, but a path to self-reliance and respect.

This woman from Bandipora has proven that with the right mindset, hard work, and support, any dream can become a reality.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Arsla Khan, New Delhi / February 11th, 2026

Army officers Saria Abbasi, Fatima Wasim show women power in Army

Amazing Feats, Defence Services - Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, CRPF & others (wef. February 21st, 2026), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

INDIA :

Captain Saria Abbas and Captain Wasim

New Delhi :

If you thought that the marching of an all-women tri-services contingent in the Republic Day Parade was just a show-off, you need to know about two women in the Indian Army to realise how women are not only joining the Military but also get the toughest assignments by being posted on treachrous terrains and hostile borders of India.

Captain Saria Abbasi and Captain Fatima Wasim are two women army officers whose names surfaced on social media. Abbasi is posted on the post on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) the contentious working boundary with China and Fatima Wasim on a post in Siachen, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield along Pakistan.

Captain Saria Abbasi’s picture surfaced on social media after a visit of the media team to the Tawang border where India had deployed its latest acquisition anti-aircraft gun L70.

Capt Saria Abbasi on duty

Capt. Saria Abbasi briefed the media on the merits of the L-70 anti-aircraft gun with its deployment, which can target all types of unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and drones.

Capt Abbasi hails from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, and had dreamt of wearing the Army uniform as a child.

This one video and some pictures caught the attention of the entire country as people were awed by a woman in that role and the gender parity in the Indian army.

Abbasi’s unit is one of the first AD regiments in the country, equipped with 70 guns. India has deployed anti-aircraft guns L70 in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, amid ongoing tensions on the Indo-China border in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Saria Abbasi’s father Dr. Tehseen Abbasi is associated with All India Radio, and her mother Rehana Shamim is a junior high school teacher.

The second woman whose image also captured the imagination of the country’s men is Captain Fatima Wasim of the Siachen Warriors. She created history by becoming the first woman medical officer to be deployed to an operational post on the Siachen Glacier.

Capt Fatima Wasim at Siachen

Her posting was proclaimed by the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps in a post on X.

“She (Captain Fatima Wasim) was inducted to a post at an altitude of 15,200 feet after undergoing rigorous training at Siachen Battle School, which speaks of her indomitable spirit and high motivation,” Fire and Fury Corps posted on X.

The Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps also uploaded a video in the post to further highlight Captain Fatima Wasim’s achievement and celebrate it.

Earlier this month, Captain Geetika Koul from the Snow Leopard Brigade became the first woman medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, after completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School.

Siachen Glacier is known as the highest-altitude battle site in the world and is situated near the Indo-Pak Line of Control.

It is the largest glacier in India and the second-largest in the world. It is the highest battleground on earth.

Back to Saria Abbasi’s story: she is a graduate of Genetic Engineering and joined the army four years ago. She said she had no interest in engineering and was always dreaming of becoming an army officer as some of her relatives were. She was attracted to donning the olive green after listening to the stories of valour from her ‘fauji’ relatives.

Capt Abbasi with L70 Gun (released by Army)

She rejected all the job offers from big companies and focused on clearing the Combined Defence Service (CDS) competitive examination conducted by the UPSC for taking in officers for the Military.

There were only 12 seats for women and Saria cleared her examination in her second attempt. After passing the ongoing interviews held over several tours, she was selected for the training that is considered to be the toughest of all.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / January 30th, 2024