
Auto driver's daughter set to become Maharashtra's first Muslim woman IAS officer
Adiba Anam, the daughter of a rented auto-rickshaw driver from Yavatmal in Maharashtra, has secured the 142nd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024. She is now set to become Maharashtra's first Muslim woman IAS officer. Her journey wasn't easy, but she didn't quit.Born and raised in a rented house, Adiba studied in local government schools. Her father, Ashfaque Ahmed, drives a rented auto and is also a poet. The family struggled financially, but her parents supported her education at every step.advertisementWHEN MEDICAL DREAMS DIDN'T WORK OUTAdiba had first set her sights on becoming a doctor. But when she realised the cost of medical education was beyond reach, she dropped the plan.
It was Nizamuddin Shaikh from Seva NGO who showed her a new path -- civil services. That changed everything.After finishing her BSc in Mathematics from Inamdar Senior College, Pune, Adiba joined UPSC foundation coaching. She trained at Haj House and later at Jamia Residential Coaching Academy.Yavatmal lacks major coaching centres, so she had to move to Pune to chase her goal.FOUR ATTEMPTS, ONE RESULT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHINGAdiba couldn't get a rank in her first three UPSC attempts. She made it to the interview stage once, but didn't clear the final list. Still, she kept going.In her fourth attempt, she cracked the exam with an All India Rank of 142.advertisementAdiba now wants to focus on helping girls and underprivileged communities. Her success is already making waves in her hometown. From local police to former ministers, many have praised her.She didn't have a big city background, a fancy school, or steady income at home -- but she had the will to keep going. That made all the difference.

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