Tag Archives: Muslim IAS Officers

In a first, Maharashtra gets first Muslim female IAS officer – Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Education- Excellence, Coaching, Training, Tutorials (wef. Feb 09th, 2024), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yawatmal (Vidharba Region), MAHARASHTRA :

Do it again and again. Consistency makes the raindrops create holes in the rock. Whatever is difficult can be done easily with regular attendance, attention, and action. Perhaps imbibed by the words of Israelmore Ayivor, an inspirational writer, blogger and LifeSkills Entrepreneur, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed from Yavatmal in Maharashtra created a record of sorts to become the first female Muslim IAS officer after successfully clearing the civil services with All India Rank 142.

The success saga of Adeeba only proves the awareness shown by Muslim girls to take up civil services exams breaking the barriers.

On cloud nine are Adeeba’s parents, relatives, friends and more particularly her teachers on seeing her victory after three failures. She came out with flying colours in her fourth attempt after getting the necessary guidance and coaching from Jamia Millia Residential Coaching Academy in Delhi.

Can’t imagine a girl hailing from a parched and drought-prone Yavatmal district bringing glory to her native. All because of her patience and consistency as to the quote of American business honcho Robert Kiyosaki – “Successful people don’t fear failure but understand that it’s necessary to learn and grow from.” It is learnt that Maharashtra hardly witnessed any female Muslim IAS officers in the last one decade or so.

Kudos to her dad Ashfaq Ahmed, an auto driver, who despite financial constraints strained his nerves to make his daughter’s civil service dream a reality. Of course, her mom and uncle were very supportive in ensuring she achieved her IAS after successive failures. Adeeba started her early education at Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary School, where she studied from Class 1 to Class 7. Thereafter, she finished schooling from Class 8 to 10 at Zilla Parishad Government Girls High School. And she completed her 11th and 12th grades at Zilla Parishad Ex-Government College in Yavatmal.

Armed with BSc Mathematics from Inamdar Senior College in Pune, she joined a coaching academy in Pune to take UPSC foundation classes based on the advice of her maternal uncle Jan Nizamuddin Sahib, who works as secretary at Seva NGO.

She got interested after meeting a few IAS officers and was determined to become an IAS. The road to civil services wasn’t smooth for her as she faced many obstacles. However, she was firm and worked relentlessly to taste success.

Noteworthy to mention that her dad Ashfaq Ahmed dropped out of school after tenth standard due to family circumstances. But decided not to let her daughter face the same fate, left no stone unturned and encouraged Adeeba to do her UG. Right from her school days, she had a fascination for civil services inspired by the young IAS officers’ remarkable feat through newspapers. Since then, she has been working towards her civil service dream.

In an interview to a local television channel, she is reported to have said that studying isn’t easy, especially for girls in patriarchal communities like Muslim, but her parents stood by her. She expressed her gratitude to mom, who extended support for her in her endeavours. The community was against girls pursuing higher studies, but her dad told her not to worry about society, and focus on her goal.

It is interesting to infer that she chose Urdu Literature as her optional subject despite having a science background. However, she displayed her prowess in clearing the civil services with confidence. A total of 32 candidates from Jamia Millia Islamia and 3 from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) have figured in the UPSC Civil Services 2024 Merit List. Of the 1009 candidates selected, only two Muslim candidates figured in the top 100.

She said that IAS is the first step to serve the society and added that her area of interest is to work for the underprivileged, more specifically girls. And she wanted to contribute to the education and health sector as a civil servant. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) RCAs are renowned academies in the field of coaching students for Civil Services. They provide free coaching and training for preparing for the Civil Services Examination for candidates from SC, ST, Women, and Minority communities.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence / by M Rafi Ahmed, Radiance News Bureau / April 28th, 2025

Karkala’s Shoukath Azeem secures 345th rank in UPSC 2024

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Karnataka (under research project), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Karkala (Udupi District), KARNATAKA :

Karkala : 

In a proud moment for Karkala, Shoukath Azeem from Salmara has secured the 345th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, turning his long-cherished dream of becoming an IAS officer into reality.

Undeterred by repeated setbacks, Azeem attempted the UPSC exam nine times, finally succeeding with an impressive rank in his last attempt, demonstrating unwavering determination and grit.

He is the son of Sheikh Abdulla and Maimoona from Salmara. His father, a truck driver by profession, raised the family with modest means. Despite coming from a humble background, Azeem’s ambition to join the civil services was ignited during his childhood after watching the Kannada movie Prithvi, starring Puneeth Rajkumar.

Azeem completed his early education at the Karkala Government Urdu School and a private school followed by higher education at a private college in Kukkundoor. He later earned his engineering degree a private college in Moodbidri.

In 2022, he had cleared the UPSC exam and was selected for the accounts division of the defence department, currently serving in Pune. Encouraged to try once more, Azeem made a final attempt and achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an IAS officer.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala / April 26th, 2025

DC Wokha to receive ECI award

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR / Wokha District, NAGALAND :

Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon. (File Photo)

The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha district, Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon will be among the awardees, who will receive the Election Commission of India’s National Awards 2018 for outstanding election-related activities during the elections held in 2018. 

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated Samoon for the achievement. “Congratulations Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, IAS @DcWokha #Nagaland who will be conferred with National Awards 2018 for smooth conduct of elections, by the #ElectionCommissionOfIndia, on National Voters’ Day, at Delhi, by the Honourable President of India…” tweeted Rio on his Twitter handle. 

An IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre, Samoon will receive his award in the ‘general category’ on the occasion of National Voters’ Day on January 25. The President of India will confer the awards at a ceremony to be hosted at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi. 

source: http://www.morungexpress.com / The Morung Express / Home / by Morung Express News, Dimapur / January 24th, 2019

Prakasam district collector leads fight against bonded labour, rescuing victims

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

Prakasam District (Ongole) , ANDHRA PRADESH :

Under Ansariya’s leadership, Prakasam has become the first district in Andhra Pradesh to establish a vigilance committee on bonded labour.

District Collector A Thameem Ansariya IAS

Nellore :

In the dusty villages and industrial pockets of Prakasam, a quiet revolution is underway. District Collector A Thameem Ansariya has made it her mission to eradicate bonded labour, rescuing the exploited and restoring their dignity. With a rare blend of authority and compassion, she is enforcing the law and transforming lives, proving that governance driven by justice can be truly impactful.

Under Ansariya’s leadership, Prakasam has become the first district in Andhra Pradesh to establish a vigilance committee on bonded labour, setting a precedent in tackling the issue. More than a bureaucratic milestone, the initiative is a lifeline for the voiceless, ensuring legal action against violators and rehabilitation for victims.

Her approach is multifaceted—aggressive rescue operations, strict enforcement, and large-scale awareness campaigns. “Every government stakeholder must take responsibility of this issue. We will ensure strict action against violators to make Prakasam free from bonded labour,” Ansariya said.

Recently, officials rescued two minors trafficked from Madhya Pradesh to an aquaculture unit in Karavadi village near Ongole. Stripped of their wages and phones, they were trapped—until Ansariya intervened. She directed Ongole Revenue Divisional Officer Lakshmi Prasanna to lead the rescue, ensuring the children were issued release certificates and reunited with their families.

In another operation, eight workers were freed after being trapped for eight years in a timber unit, while two others were rescued from a shrimp farm after six months of forced labour. These are not isolated but part of a system Ansariya has built—one that combines surprise inspections, swift rescues, and rehabilitation to dismantle exploitation at its roots.

Ansariya believes that prevention is as crucial as rescue. Between February 10 and 16, her administration launched an awareness campaign that reached over 13,404 people. Posters, rallies, and mobile LED displays carried the message that exploitation has no place in Prakasam. Workshops brought workers, law enforcement, and industries together, fostering accountability and equipping vulnerable communities with the knowledge to resist bonded labour traps. “Awareness is our shield,” she said, underscoring her proactive approach.

The Vigilance Committee, chaired by Ansariya, spearheads inspections, legal proceedings, and rehabilitation efforts. Rescued workers receive financial aid and employment support, while offenders face prosecution.

Prakasam Collector Ansariya, a 2015-batch IAS officer, previously served as Srikakulam Municipal Commissioner and Annamayya Joint Collector. She has been married to Srikakulam Collector Manajir Jilani Samoon, she stands as an inspiration to young women aspiring to join civil service, proving that perseverance can shape meaningful leadership.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by D Surendra Kumar / March 09th, 2025

City Muslim girl Sarah Rizvi takes Urdu route to IAS

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Mumbai:

Sarah Rizvi has done her bit to issue a blow to the stereotype of the Muslim woman, moderately educated and socially subjugated, ensconced in hijab. She has cleared the IAS exam, ranking 86th among 734 successful candidates. More remarkably perhaps, she has achieved the feat with Urdu literature as one of her optional subjects.
 

“Urdu is my mothertongue. I learnt Urdu and Persian from my late grandfather, Khalid Hussain Khan, who was a lawyer in Uttar Pradesh. I have read Urdu poems and novels since childhood. My Urdu writing speed was bad but I wrote a page a day and that improved my pace of writing,’’ Sarah said. Mohammed Iqbal was, for her, the most difficult poet to understand. “But his shayeri is fabulous,’’ she said of the Kashmiri poet who wrote Sare Jahan se achchha, Hindustan hamara.
 

After finishing BCom from MMK College in 2003, Sarah attended a lecture on competitive exams by K M Arif, educationist and chairman of Alliance Foundation. That inspired her to go for the IAS. “I tried twice but could not clear even the preliminary stage. This was my third attempt and, masha Allah, I passed,’’ the 25-year-old said, adding that her success was the outcome of 10-12 hours of study a day.
 

While doing her BCom, Sarah also completed her foundation course in chartered accountancy. “I wanted to become a CA but Dr Arif suggested I study for the IAS exam instead. I was clueless about the exam procedure and the requisite study material but my family supported me,’’ she said. Sarah was also awarded a scholarship by MESCO, an NGO.
 

Sarah is now posted as section officer in the Haryana Accountant-General’s office.
 

Sarah’s father, Afzal Ahmed, a science graduate, and mother Nigar, an arts graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, run a small garments business.

Her elder brother, Wasif, a civil engineer, is working for a company in Dubai and Sarah’s twin sister, Sameera, a graduate in computer applications, from National College, is married and lives in Bahrain. “I feel more Mulims, especially women, should go for the competitive exams. Many women don’t even know what these exams are about but awareness is spreading,’’ Sarah said.
 

“This subject gives us an inside knowledge of government administration. And the topics are similar to the business administration course matter I read in college,” Sarah said, explaining why she chose public administration over accountancy as one of the optionals.
 

Sarah did her schooling from Canossa Convent School and St. Louis Convent High School in Andheri. She later joined CWC College for Commerce and Economics and eventually graduated from MMK College with 75.7 per cent marks.

(Courtesy Times of India)

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home / by Mateen Hafeez, TNN (headline edited)