India’s Youngest IAS Officer: Son of Rickshaw Driver and Farm Labourer from Maharashtra’s Shelgaon Inspires Millions
India’s Youngest IAS Officer: Son of Rickshaw Driver and Farm Labourer from Maharashtra’s Shelgaon Inspires Millions
In a remarkable tale of grit and determination, Ansar Shaikh, a young man from Maharashtra’s Shelgaon village in Jalna district, overcame immense socio-economic challenges to become the youngest IAS officer in India.
Born to a family of modest means—his father an autorickshaw driver and his mother a farm labourer—Ansar’s childhood was marked by hardship. His elder brother had to drop out of school in Class 7 to work at a garage and support the family, while his sister was married off at the age of 15. Despite the difficult circumstances, Ansar held on to one dream: to join the Indian Administrative Service.
A bright student, Ansar scored an impressive 91% in his Class 10 exams, an exceptional feat in his village. He later moved to Pune for higher studies, enduring frugal living conditions to pursue his education. After graduation, instead of seeking a job like many of his peers, Ansar set his sights on the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination.
With Political Science as his optional subject, he chose to write the exam in Marathi, his mother tongue. Using borrowed books and guidance from mentors in Pune, Ansar prepared rigorously. In 2016, at the age of just 21, he cleared the UPSC exam in his very first attempt, securing an All-India Rank of 361.
His success story captured national attention. A farmer’s son from a small village had defied all odds to crack one of India’s toughest exams and earn the prestigious IAS tag.
By 2022, Ansar was serving as the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. His journey has since become a beacon of hope for countless aspirants from underprivileged backgrounds.
Ansar’s story is not just about personal achievement—it’s a testament to the power of resilience, family support, and faith in the transformative potential of education. His life continues to inspire many, proving that no dream is too distant when pursued with courage and conviction.
