29-04-2025
Who Is Adiba Anam? Auto Driver's Daughter Set To Become Maharashtra's First Muslim Woman IAS Officer
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Adiba Anam secure AIR 142 in UPSC Exam 2024 and became the first Muslim woman from Maharashtra to crack the civil services exam.
With her fourth attempt, Adiba Anam, the daughter of an autorickshaw driver from Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, has created history—becoming the first Muslim woman from the state to clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Ranked 142nd in the All India list for 2024, her journey from a modest background to the country's top bureaucracy is a powerful reminder that determination can break any barrier.
Adiba's roots lie in a family that struggled financially but never compromised on the value of education. Her father, Ashfaq Ahmed, couldn't pursue studies and turned to driving an autorickshaw to support the family. Still, the belief in education ran deep in their household.
Adiba began her academic journey at Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary School and completed her schooling through local government institutions in Yavatmal. Later, she pursued a BSc in Mathematics from Inamdar Senior College in Pune, where she also began her civil services preparation.
Success After Setbacks
Adiba's UPSC journey wasn't without setbacks. She faced three initial failures, reaching the interview round once but falling short of the final selection. Yet, she didn't lose heart. With a focused mindset, she prepared harder for her fourth attempt—and this time, it paid off.
Her success was also shaped by guidance from Haj House IAS Training Institute and Jamia Residential Coaching Academy, where she honed her preparation and strategy.
As congratulations poured in, former Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Thakre, also from Yavatmal, praised her on social media, calling her selection a proud moment for the district and the state.
Adiba's story is one of grit, persistence, and belief—proof that no dream is too distant when backed by relentless effort and the right support.
