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The number of Muslims who have cleared the UPSC exams varies from year to year. In 2022, a total of 29 Muslim candidates cleared the exam, representing about 3% of the total number of successful candidates. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when 25 Muslim candidates cleared the exam.
Muslim candidates have been performing exceptionally well in prestigious examinations since 2016. Before that, they made up only 2.5% of all successful candidates.
Sources in the Minority Affairs Ministry have reported a “steady improvement” in the performance of Muslim candidates over the past four years. This is a clear indication that initiatives taken by the government to support the education of minority communities are having a positive impact.
A member of the minority affairs described it as “a remarkable accomplishment” because the proportion of minorities had been hovering around 2.5% until recently.
Notably, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government increased the budget allocation for minority community candidates appearing in the UPSC exam from Rs 8 crore to Rs 20 crore in the 2019-2020 budget, thus providing free and subsidized coaching for these candidates.
This budget increase reflects the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering minority candidates in their preparations for the UPSC exams. Under the ‘Support for Students Clearing Prelims Conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commissions etc’ scheme, this increase in funding was made to aid these candidates. This is an important step towards ensuring that the minority population is not left out of the race to success.
Despite the challenges, a number of Muslim candidates have successfully passed the UPSC exams and gone on to achieve successful careers in the Indian government. Indeed, their success serves as an inspiration to those who face similar hardships in their pursuit of success. With their determination and hard work, these candidates have demonstrated that nothing is impossible. Their stories remind us of the power of perseverance and dedication in the face of adversity. As such, their accomplishments should be celebrated and their example should be followed.
These candidates are an inspiration to other Muslims, demonstrating that difficulties can be overcome and success can be achieved. The rise in successful Muslim candidates can be attributed to various reasons, including increasing awareness, educational initiatives, and the hard work of Muslim aspirants.
This year, an impressive 13 candidates from Jammu and 3 from Kashmir have qualified for the highly esteemed exam.
Shah Faesal’s emergence as a topper marked a watershed moment in the aspirational story for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), as local youth idolized him as an icon for his success in the competition. Since 1968, when Muhammad Shafi Pandit became the first Kashmiri to join the IAS, the competition has seen many changes.
He was followed by Iqbal Khandey in 1978, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai in 1982, and Asghar Samoon in 1993. In 1994, Abdul Gani Mir and Javed Geelani joined the Indian Police Service (IPS).
The role of Abdul Gani Mir, the current Inspector General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), is significant in motivating young people to take the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. Mir was the mentor of Shah Faesal, a prominent IAS topper in 2009, and established the Initiative for Competition Promotion (ICP) in 2008 to provide students with the resources they need to prepare for the exam.
Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan is a trailblazer in Jammu and Kashmir. He secured the second rank in the CSE-2015, making him a household name in the region. Currently, he is serving as Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and is also the CEO of Smart City Project. By doing so, he is paving the way for a brighter future for the state. Khan’s achievements are a testament to his commitment to spearheading development and progress in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sehrish Asgar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, and Syed Abid Shah are the pride of the Union Territory; they demonstrate that Muslim youth in India are being given the best opportunities based on their capabilities and talent, and their merits are being acknowledged.
The example of Waseem Ahmad Bhat from Brahgam, Dooru in Anantnag district in Kashmir Valley is further proof of the remarkable power of hard work. This year, he achieved an impressive 7th all-India rank!
Waseem is a success story to be remembered! After two attempts in the UPSC exams, he has been posted as an Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer in Nagpur. He graduated with a B. Tech degree from the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar and scored an AIR 225 in his second attempt in the UPSC exam. His hard work and dedication have proven that anything is possible with the right attitude. Waseem is an inspiration to many and a reminder that success comes with perseverance.
He is not the only Muslim from Jammu and Kashmir to have qualified; Naved Ashan Bhat from Sopore secured the 84th rank, Manan Bhat from Soura in Srinagar the 231st rank, Mohd Irfan from Thathar Bantalab in Jammu the 476th rank, and Dr Iram Choudhary from Rajouri the 852nd rank. In total, sixteen candidates have successfully qualified.
Some of the remarkable Muslim candidates who have achieved success in the UPSC exams include Safna Nazarudeen, who secured the 45th position in the 2019 UPSC exams, and Areeba Nomaan, who attained the 109th rank in the 2021 UPSC exams.
These candidates are just a few examples of the many talented Muslim aspirants who have successfully passed the UPSC exams. They are a source of motivation and encouragement for other Muslims across the country.
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