This Rickshaw Driver’s Son Became One Of India’s Youngest IAS Officers

Living in one of the drought-impacted villages of Maharashtra named Shelgaon, Ansar Shaikh struggled hard and became an IAS officer in India at an incredibly young age. Ansar grew up in a small background, his parents separated, and he saw other facing social evils in his childhood years. His father was a rickshaw operator with an alcohol problem and his mother was a farm worker.

Nonetheless, his teachers noticed his talent and convinced his family to devote efforts to enhance Ansar’s learning experience. He was a bright student in school and stood first in his school securing 91% in his class twelfth examinations and then he was placed in Fergusson College in Pune. His elder brother who had to withdraw from school was unemployed and used all his wages to support Ansar’s education.

It however sad to note that, the journey a successful man like Ansar had to take was not an easy one. Branded a ‘shrewd’ student, he spent between 10 and 13 hours studying in order to secure a UPSC exam first-timer All India Rank of 361. Another area where he performed per excellence is the interview scoring 199 out of 275.

Ansar’s advice to aspiring IAS candidates is simple: The only thing that counts here is the competition between you and yourself. Also, the idea holds to smart working, avoiding competition and lethargy, and success will follow. Lack and prosperity are not related, but persistence is the crucial factor.”