Ansar Shaikh is an IAS officer of the 2016 batch. He is currently posted in West Bengal Cadre. His journey is truly inspiring as he cleared the exam on his first attempt despite all the hardships.
Source- Upsc Pathshala
UPSC conducts one of the most difficult exams and interviews in India. Year after year, lakhs of aspirants end up giving the exams after years of hard work but in the end, only a handful get selected. Only a proper combination of hard work, guidance and tenacity can help UPSC aspirants crack the examination.
Ansar grew up in the Marathwada region, Maharashtra, India. His struggles for a better life began in childhood as he had an unstable family. His father, Yonus Shaikh Ahmad, an autorickshaw chauffeur in the drought-hit village of Shelgaon in Jalna district of Marathwada, Maharashtra, went through alcohol addiction and had married thrice. Ansar’s mother, who works on a farm, is his second wife.
Ansar Shaikh grew up observing domestic violence and child marriage at close quarters. His sisters were married off as young as 15, and his younger brother, Anees dropped out of school in standard VII and worked in a garage to support the family and help Ansar to prepare for the IAS exam.
Source- India Times
Despite his hardships and poor financial condition, he never back down from achieving his dream job. Ansar is truly a man of great willpower which let him be the kind of person he is today. His success is especially commendable counting the fact that education wasn’t a priority in his family.
Ansar Shaikh once said in his message to UPSC aspirants, “If you think your competition is with other lakhs of aspirants who give the exam, you are mistaken. Your only competition is you. So get rid of all of your pessimistic thoughts and success will come your way.
