UPSC is considered one of the most competitive and difficult exams in India. The exams not only test your knowledge but your patience and perseverance as well and there are very few people who possess both.
A person who cracks the UPSC exam mostly becomes an inspiration for other aspirants as well. One such IAS officer who has not only become an inspiration for aspirants but also for the general public as well is IAS Ansar Shaikh.
Ansar Shaikh is the youngest IAS Officer in India, He secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 361 in the IAS Exam 2016. He became an IAS Officer at the tender age of 21 and ever since then has served in various places across various departments.
About IAS Ansar Shaikh
IAS Ansar Shaikh was born on June 1, 1995, in Jalna, Maharashtra. His father, Younus Shaikh Ahmad, was an autorickshaw driver, and his mother was a field worker. He also has a brother named Anees Shaikh, who dropped out of school when he was 7 years old to help his family.
Overall, Ansar Shaikh faced several difficulties and financial challenges in life. It was his brother who gave him monetary and emotional support when he was in great need. He also has a sister who got married at a young age.
Ansar Shaikh Education
Academically, Ansar Shaikh was a very bright student. He completed his schooling at a Marathi Medium school, scoring 91% in his class 12 board exams. IAS Ansar Shaikh did his graduation from Fergusson College in Pune, where he graduated with a political science degree and scored 71% marks.
Ansar started his UPSC preparation in his first year of college, and one of his college professors advised him to do so. IAS Ansar Shaikh prepared for UPSC simultaneously with his graduation, and all his hard work and patience paid off when he secured AIR 361 on his first attempt.
A boy whose family once decided to drop him out of school because they were unable to pay his fees became the youngest IAS officer in the country. During his preparations, Ansar himself wanted to leave his studies, but his professors and, mainly, his brother, motivated him to finish his education.
IAS Ansar Shaikh’s Wife Waiza Ansari
Ansar Shaikh got married to his long-term girlfriend Waiza Ansari. Ansar has shared a series of pictures with his wife from the wedding day.
There’s not a lot of information available regarding Waiza Ansari’s age and profession. But one thing is indeed very clear from IAS Shaikh’s Instagram, that he is madly in love with Waiza, and he often shares pictures with her on his Instagram profile (i_am_ansarshaikh).
IAS Ansar Shaikh Present day Role
Shaikh’s family put Ansar’s education first even though they were struggling financially, ensuring that his education was not hampered by his circumstances. At the moment, Shaikh is the ADM for West Bengal’s Cooch Behar.
He overcame his days of poverty, yet he still intends to remain grounded. In one of the interviews, IAS Ansar Shaikh said, I was marginalized by three different categories. I am from a backward, undeveloped region; I hail from a poor economic background; and I belong to a minority community. I will tackle all these issues as an administrator since I have witnessed these issues at close quarters.”
IAS Ansar Shaikh FAQs
A. IAS Ansar Shaikh is the current youngest IAS officer in the country.
A. IAS Ansar Shaikh is 29 years old (2023).
A. IAS Ansar Shaikh is married to Waiza Ansari, (Instagram: waiza_ansari).
A. IAS Ansar Shiakh is currently posted as an ADM for West Bengal’s Cooch Behar.