In a remarkable gesture, a spirited villager in Rajasthan gifted a car to a girl who topped in her government school, along with cash rewards to other high-performing students, in the Class 10 examination conducted by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education.
The incident took place in Rolsahabsar, a small village in Sikar district, where the generous benefactor, and a social worker Adil Khan, presented a Swift Dzire car to Anzal Khan, who scored an impressive 95.5 per cent.
Such an initiative is rare, especially at a time when media attention often focuses on the achievements of private schools in board examinations. Against this backdrop, Adil Khan’s effort stands out as a meaningful recognition of both girl power and the improving standards of government schools.
Anzal Khan, a student of Government Higher Secondary School, Rolsahabsar, was handed over the keys to the car—valued between ₹8–12 lakh—at a function held in the village’s main square.
In addition, Adil Khan awarded ₹1 lakh each to five other girls who scored above 90 per cent in the board exams. The recipients included Aksha Khan, Sophia Khan, Payal Kumari, Ruqya Bano, and Farheen Khan.
The joy and pride on the faces of the award-winning students were evident. The recognition not only boosted their confidence but also inspired others in the community.
The ceremony was attended by Bajrang Lal Swami, Additional Director of RSCERT Udaipur, and Fatehpur MLA Hakeem Ali Khan, who graced the event as chief guests. They praised Adil Khan’s initiative, noting that such efforts bring positive change to society and reinforce the importance of education.
Other meritorious students from the village were also honoured, along with teachers from three government schools for their outstanding results. The event became a platform to celebrate hard work, dedication, and commitment.
What makes Adil Khan’s gesture even more noteworthy is that he is not a prominent industrialist but an ordinary villager who funded the entire initiative with his own earnings. His actions have struck a chord with people, demonstrating that meaningful change requires not just resources, but also conviction and purpose.
Though not among the wealthiest in the village, Adil Khan has a big heart and a strong vision. He expressed his desire to see the daughters of Rolsahabsar rise to top positions in services such as the IAS, IPS, and judiciary. He also said that the village should be known not only for politics but for its commitment to education.
He has announced that he will continue to honour meritorious female students over the next three years.
The announcement has generated fresh enthusiasm in the village. Parents are increasingly motivated to educate their daughters, while students are striving harder to excel academically and qualify for such recognition.
Adil Khan’s initiative is gradually transforming the social fabric of the village. Where once there was hesitation in sending girls to school, there is now a sense of pride.
The ceremony drew a large gathering of villagers, teachers, students, and public representatives, fostering a new mindset and a progressive way of thinking.
His initiative has been widely appreciated across the region, sparking conversations about the importance of educating girls. The celebration has sent out a powerful message: when given the right opportunities, daughters can achieve anything.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Ashfaq Qaymkhan, Sikar,Rajasthan / April 20th, 2026
A quiet but significant academic shift is unfolding across India, as Muslim students register notable successes in some of the country’s most competitive examinations. From civil services and national-level entrance tests to state and central board results, the 2025-26 academic year has emerged as a milestone, reflecting both individual perseverance and gradual systemic improvements in access to education.
One of the clearest indicators of this progress is visible in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2025 results. A total of 53 Muslim candidates successfully cleared the exam, the highest number in nearly a decade. Out of 958 successful candidates, this represents approximately 5.5%, marking a steady increase compared to previous years. While still below the community’s population share of 14-15%, the rise signals a growing presence in India’s administrative framework.
Several candidates secured top ranks, underscoring the depth of talent emerging from the community. A.R. Rajah Mohaideen secured Rank 7, placing him among the top 10 achievers, while Ifra Shams Ansari (Rank 24), Nabiya Parvez (Rank 29), and Hassan Khan (Rank 95) featured within the top 100. These achievements highlight a shift in a field historically marked by underrepresentation, offering new role models for aspiring civil servants.
Parallel success stories have emerged in engineering entrance examinations. Majid Mujahid Hussain from Madhya Pradesh secured an exceptional All India Rank 3 in JEE Advanced 2025, one of the most challenging engineering entrance exams globally. His accomplishment stands out not only for its academic merit but also for challenging the perception that top ranks are reserved for students from elite urban coaching ecosystems. Majid’s journey, built on disciplined self-study and determination, reflects a broader democratisation of opportunity in competitive education.
In the medical field, Muslim students have also demonstrated competitive strength. Umaid Khan from Maharashtra secured All India Rank 21 in NEET-UG 2025, contributing to the state’s strong overall performance. While comprehensive nationwide data on religious representation in NEET remains limited, individual achievements such as these point to increasing participation in high-stakes medical admissions.
At the school level, Muslim students have consistently excelled in both central and state board examinations. The CBSE Class 10 and 12 results for 2025 recorded an overall pass percentage of 88.39%, within which minority students have shown increasing competitiveness. Across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and West Bengal, Muslim students have frequently appeared among district and state toppers, particularly in science and commerce streams.
Regional trends further underline the importance of educational ecosystems. Southern states like Kerala and Telangana, known for their robust literacy rates and institutional support, continue to produce high-performing Muslim students. In several districts, pass percentages among Muslim students have reportedly exceeded 85-90%, particularly where access to coaching and academic resources is more developed.
Among the standout individual stories this year is that of 15-year-old Syed Zaid Sadiq from Nashik, who topped JEE Main 2026 with an impressive percentile of 99.927. A Hafiz who has memorised the Qur’an, Zaid successfully balanced madrasa education with mainstream academic studies, scoring above 99% in both sessions of the examination. His achievement challenges common stereotypes surrounding religious education and highlights the potential for integrated learning approaches. He now aims to clear JEE Advanced and secure admission to an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
In Bihar, Sabreen Parveen emerged as a joint topper in the Class 10 board examinations, scoring 492 out of 500 (98.4%). A student from Vaishali district and the daughter of a tyre shop owner, Sabreen’s achievement exemplifies how determination and family support can overcome financial constraints. Aspiring to become a doctor, her success has inspired students in her community and beyond.
Equally inspiring is the story of Zainab Bilal from Srinagar, who scored 95% in her CBSE examinations despite being visually impaired. Relying on auditory learning, memory techniques, and assistive technology, she independently prepared for her exams. Her journey underscores the role of resilience and innovation in overcoming physical challenges, offering a powerful message about inclusivity in education.
From Jamia Millia Islamia schools, Md Fauzan topped JMI Class 10 2026 exams with 98.71%. Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Arham shared second place scoring 98.43%, from Syed Abid Hussain Senior Secondary School. Atiqua Zia and Ansari Zeenat Fatima secured third with 98.29%, representing Syed Abid Hussain Senior Secondary School and Jamia Girls Senior Secondary School.
Another noteworthy development is the increasing participation and success of Muslim women. In the UPSC 2025 results, 13 of the 53 successful Muslim candidates were women, indicating a positive shift toward gender inclusion. Notably, 38 students from Jamia Millia Islamia qualified UPSC this year thus setting example before all major universities. This trend also is mirrored in school-level examinations, where girls consistently outperform boys across communities. Initiatives encouraging girls’ education are also gaining momentum at the grassroots level.
In Rajasthan’s Sikar district, a unique initiative by philanthropist Adil Khan recognised the achievements of top-performing girls from government schools, irrespective of religion. Rewards included a car for one student and cash prizes of ₹1 lakh for others. The initiative not only celebrates academic excellence but also promotes awareness about the importance of girls’ education, particularly among underrepresented communities.
Experts attribute these encouraging trends to multiple factors. Increased awareness about the importance of education, greater parental support, and the expansion of coaching facilities into smaller towns have all contributed. Additionally, digital learning platforms and scholarship programs have made quality resources more accessible to students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Mentorship initiatives by non-governmental organisations and community groups have also played a critical role. By providing guidance for competitive exams such as UPSC, JEE, and NEET, these programmes have helped bridge long-standing gaps in access to information and preparation strategies.
However, challenges remain. Despite the visible progress, Muslim representation in elite institutions and services still lags behind proportional levels. Socio-economic barriers, disparities in school infrastructure, and limited awareness in certain regions continue to affect outcomes. Addressing these issues will require sustained policy efforts, community engagement, and investment in education at the grassroots level.
Educationists emphasise that the current momentum must be nurtured. “The improvement is real, but it needs continuity,” said one academic expert. “Access, affordability, and awareness are the three pillars that must be strengthened to ensure long-term change.”
The achievements of 2025-26 collectively tell a story of aspiration and gradual transformation. Whether it is a civil services aspirant securing a top rank, a student from a modest background topping a state board, or a visually impaired learner excelling against the odds, each success contributes to a larger narrative of empowerment.
As India continues to evolve as an educational hub, the rising performance of Muslim students reflects not only community progress but also the broader democratisation of opportunity. While the journey toward equitable representation is far from complete, the trajectory is unmistakably upward.
In classrooms, coaching centres, and homes across the country, a new generation of students is quietly rewriting expectations – one exam, one rank, and one success story at a time.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Focus / by Mohd Naushad Khan / May 08th, 2026
Anam Rais Khan is the first female and first ever Muslim from Aligarh Muslim University to qualify the prestigious Delhi Judicial Services Examination 2018, securing 71st rank to become a judge in Delhi.
She completed her B.A.LL.B (Hons) from AMU in 2015 and did LLM from National Law University Delhi in 2016. She was the University Gold Medalist and also received Gold Medal in Constitutional Law. Socially active on campus, she organised several legal literacy awareness programs, donation camps and environment campaigns.
She qualified UGC NET and got enrolled with Bar Council of Delhi in 2017. Then she moved to Australia with her husband, who is a software engineer at TCS, and started working at a reputed Immigration consultancy firm in Sydney. But her strong desire for competing judicial services exams was always there and she kept preparing for it for around 1.5 years and then gave it a shot in January 2019 and cleared the most coveted judicial services exam of India at the young age of 26.
Her husband, Adil Khan always stood by her, supported her and encouraged her, come what may. Her father, A.R. Khan, Retired Station Superintendent in Indian Railways always wanted to see her daughter adorn this respectable post, and Rahul Yadav, her mentor at Rahul’s IAS Coaching, guided her throughout the journey.
She also thanks her mother Prof. Samina Khan and sister Alvina Khan and her in-laws for being so supportive always. Anam says she always wanted to be a judge because being a judge gives one the power and also the responsibility to correct so many injustices in society. She says now she will be able to contribute to the evolution of law, serve the nation, and become a better student of law and at the end of the day sleep with a clear conscience by making a difference in the society.
Her advice to the aspiring candidates would be not to become bookworms and try to think out of the box.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News > Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / October 03rd, 2024
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac on Sunday named six newcomers in the final list of 23 players for the King’s Cup, to be held in Buriram, Thailand from June 5.
The six are Rahul Bheke, Brandon Fernandes, Raynier Fernandes, Michael Soosairaj, AbdulSahal and India U-17 World Cup team captain Amarjit Singh.
The final list: Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Kamaljit Singh.
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Subhasish Bose.
The versatile player is all set to take the plunge to play for Karim Bencherifa’s side in the next I-League season…
Sporting Clube de Goa’s defensive midfielder Adil Ahmed Khan has agreed a year long deal to play for Mohun Bagan in the next I-League season 2013-14, GOAL™ can reveal.
The 24-year-old had joined the ranks of the Flaming Oranje, where he eventually featured in the top flight of Indian football under his former Sesa FA coach Vishwas Gaonkar, who was at Sporting Goa at the time, in the year 2007.
It was understood that the Maroon and Green were interested in acquiring the services of Khan three years ago, which was when current Bagan head coach Karim Bencherifa was at the helm of the Kolkata outfit before the Moroccan had joined Salgaocar FC.
“It was too early for me that time (to join Mohun Bagan),” revealed Adil Khan.
The former India U-23 however did take the time to recognise where his roots lie. “Sesa FA gave birth to me and Sporting [Clube de Goa] gave me the stage,” he told GOAL™.
Now that Mohun Bagan have successfully beaten the odds to stay in the first division after their points weredocked following the Kolkata derby fiasco against East Bengal, Khan also hopes that he will win his first major title with the Mariners next season.
“It’s really good to see the way Mohun Bagan fought back (in the relegation battle) from zero points to the 10 wins [and seven draws]. They (Bagan) were championship contenders if nothing had happened against East Bengal,” he said.
“Hopefully it will happen (Mohun Bagan win the I-League) next year when I am with the club,” Khan signed off optimistically.
source: http://www.goal.com / Goal.com / Home / by Anselm Noronha / Photo by Mango Peel / May 03rd, 013