At 40, Hearing-Impaired Kerala Mom of Two Cracks UPSC in 7th Attempt, Secures IAS Rank
At 40, Hearing-Impaired Kerala Mom of Two Cracks UPSC in 7th Attempt, Secures IAS Rank
At an age when most civil service aspirants have either achieved their goals or left the race, 40-year-old Nisa Unnirajan from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has scripted an extraordinary story of grit and determination. A mother of two, a full-time employee, and someone living with a hearing disability, Nisa secured an All India Rank of 1000 in the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Examination—clearing the exam in her seventh attempt.
Nisa’s success goes beyond a rank; it’s a triumph over personal, professional, and physical challenges. Eligible for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through the disability quota, she has proved that no barrier is insurmountable with courage and persistence.
Despite nurturing a long-standing dream of becoming a civil servant, Nisa only began seriously preparing at the age of 35. Balancing her preparation with raising her daughters—Nandana (11) and Thanvi (7)—was a challenge she met with quiet resolve. Her husband Arun, a software engineer, and her parents, retired police clerk Unnirajan and homemaker Jayasree, stood firmly by her side.
Each failed attempt taught her something new. “Every setback was part of the learning process,” she told The Times of India. Her breakthrough came after joining a coaching institute in Thiruvananthapuram, where she received both academic support and emotional encouragement. A major source of inspiration for her was Kottayam sub-collector Ranjith, who also lives with a hearing impairment.
Nisa’s journey was far from the traditional UPSC path. She customized her study schedule to fit her life, drawing strength from motivational books, success stories, and an unwavering belief in herself.
Today, her achievement sends a strong message: neither age, nor disability, nor family responsibilities should limit one’s dreams. “It’s never too late to dream,” says Nisa. “And no dream is too big.”
As she prepares to don the mantle of an IAS officer, Nisa Unnirajan stands as a beacon of hope for all those who dare to dream beyond their circumstances.
