Latest news with #NisaUnnirajan
India.com
24-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet woman, a 40-year-old mother of two, cracked UPSC CSE to become IAS with AIR..., she is now...
IAS NIsa Unniranjan (File) IAS Nisa Unniranjan Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest recruitment tests in the country and each year there are dozens of inspirational stories of successful aspirants who scratched and clawed their way to crack the formidable exam and realised dream of becoming an IAS officer. However, the heartwarming success story of IAS Nisa Unnirajan is truly unique as she cleared the UPSC CSE at the age of 40, while taking care of her two young daughters, as well as managing her job and her home. Let us find out more about her inspiring journey. Who is IAS Nisa Unnirajan? A resident of Kerala, Nisa Unnirajan decided to take a crack at the UPSC examination at 35, which is rare as most unsuccessful aspirants bid adieu to UPSC dreams after the age of 30. But Nisa's path was far towards success anything but rosy as she had manage her household responsibilities, job, and take care of her two daughters Nandana (11), and Thanvi (7). However, the brave woman did not lose hope, and diligently managed all aspects of her daily life. She would prepare her children for school in the morning, take care of the house, work her day job, and later engross herself in preparation for UPSC at night. Nisa's husband, Arun, a software engineer by profession, and her in-laws, stood behind her like a rock and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. 'My husband and in-laws supported me at every step. This would not have been possible without them,' she says. How Nisa Unnirajan cracked UPSC? Apart from her daily responsibilities, Nisa Unniranjan suffered from a debilitating health condition, a serious hearing issue, which she turned into her strength. In an interview, Nisa revealed that she was inspired by Kottayam's sub-collector Ranjit, who overcame a similar condition to become an IAS officer. Nisa Unniranjan attended coaching classes in Thiruvananthapuram, but it was her unique strategy that ultimately led to success. Detailing her UPSC preparation strategy, Nisa revealed that she used to read success stories about UPSC toppers and watch their motivational videos on YouTube. Additionally, she divided syllabus topics into smaller parts to minutely study them in detail, and made notes which helped quickly revise any given topic she previously studied. Ultimately, Nisa Unniranjan's perseverance and dedication paid off when she cracked the UPSC CSE 2024 in her seventh attempt with a respectable All India Rank (AIR) of 1000. She was 40 at the time. Currently, IAS Nisa Unnirajan is posted as the Assistant Audit Officer at the Principal Accountant General's office in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Late start no barrier to her special UPSC victory
In the quiet village of Kadakkavoor, nestled in Thiruvananthapuram district, the story of Nisa Unnirajan, 40, is being told with pride; not because she sought the spotlight, but because she earned it through sheer willpower. A mother of two, a aurally challenged woman and a late entrant into the daunting world of the Civil Services Examination, Nisa finally cracked the code in her seventh attempt to secure the 1,000th rank. Hers has been among the inspirational tales from the examination this year. Nisa's journey was anything but ordinary. At 35, an age when many give up on dreams, she set out to chase hers, armed with determination, a humble routine and a heart full of purpose. 'I set foot on this journey after my second child was born,' she says. 'Many discouraged me. Some ridiculed me. But I took all that in my stride.' Balancing act Balancing work, family and studies was no small feat. Nisa would rise before dawn to squeeze in 90 minutes of study before the day's chaos took over. As an Assistant Audit Officer at the Accountant General's office, she spent her days travelling on field assignments, often studying during train rides. 'Those journeys gave me more than just time — they gave me insight into the lives of everyday people. It built my confidence.' Her family including her parents and husband, a software engineer, stood by her as the few who truly believed in her potential. The Hindu, she fondly remembers, has been her unwavering academic companion as she found it difficult to attend coaching classes. 'I never expected to reach this far,' she smiles. 'But my dream remains to serve as an IAS officer and break more barriers.'
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Never Too Late": Shashi Tharoor Praises Disabled Mother Of Two Cracking IAS
Thiruvananthapuram Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor has praised a 40-year-old woman with a hearing disability for cracking the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam in 2024. Nisa Unnirajan, a mother of two from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, achieved a remarkable rank of AIR 1000 in the country's most prestigious exam. In a post on X, Mr Tharoor congratulated Ms Unnirajan and wrote, "A 40-year-old disabled mother from Thiruvananthapuram cracked the IAS while raising two kids. Congratulations Nisa Unnirajan!" "It's never too late - an inspiring story!" he wrote, posting a newspaper clipping about Ms Unnirajan. For Ms Unnirajan, it all started at the age of 35, and her perseverance proved it was never too late for anything. Reacting to Mr Tharoor's post, several social media users congratulated Ms Unnirajan on clearing the Civil Services Exam 2024. A user wrote, "Congrats on the largest scale I can offer, Nisa Unnirajan - truly a warrior in every way imaginable!" Congrats on the largest scale I can offer, Nisa Unnirajan — truly a warrior in every way imaginable! — DrTharoor_supporter (@INCTharoorian) April 24, 2025 Another added, "Example of all possibilities with full determination & persistence efforts..!" Example of , all possibilities with full determination & persistence efforts..! — Bishow Parajuli (@BishowParajuli) April 24, 2025 "Very inspiring. One has to be focused and committed," read another comment. Very inspiring.. One has to be focused and committed.. — A Kumar ???? (@arjunku73061352) April 24, 2025 Despite securing the 1000th rank, Ms Unnirajan will get the IAS, as she is under the disabled category. The mother of two balanced her personal and professional responsibilities. She has been raising 7-year-old Thanvi and 11-year-old Nandana while also working full-time, the Times of India reported. Ms Unnirajan received immense support from her family. Her husband, Arun, is a software engineer, and her father, Unnirajan, is a retired police clerk. She took training at a private academy in the state capital and drew inspiration from Kottayam sub-collector Ranjith, who also has a hearing impairment. Ms Unnirajan now aspires to work for the nation as a dedicated and caring civil servant.
