Ovessa Iqbal became the first woman from Jammu & Kashmir to clear the UPSC civil services when she secured an all India rank of 572 in the 2010 civil services exam.
She got selected into the Indian Foreign Service and is currently working in the Northern (Bhutan and Nepal) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Ovessa’s UPSC success story is an inspiration for many youngsters from remote corners of the country who want to join the civil services and make a positive impact on the life of the nation.
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IAS Topper Story – Ovessa Iqbal
- Ovessa hails from Chachoot village of Leh in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Her father is a farmer. She had lost her lecturer mother in an accident a few years back. She has an elder sister Sameena.
- Ovessa completed her schooling from Moravian Mission School, Leh. She then pursued her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Punjab University, Chandigarh.
IAS Preparation
- It was during her college days that Ovessa started dreaming about the civil services and becoming an IAS Topper.
- Hailing from a remote part of the country which is cut off from the rest of the world for half the year due to terrible winter conditions, Ovessa had wanted to work for the people and make a change in her own life and the people around her.
- Ovessa gave her first attempt in 2008 when she failed to clear the UPSC prelims.
- In her second attempt, she could not qualify for the personality test/Interview.
- She had also qualified in the Kashmir Administrative Service examination held in 2009. Read more about the state public service commission exams here.
- In her third attempt, Ovessa cracked the UPSC exam securing AIR 572 in the year 2010.
- Ovessa was ably guided by her sister Sameena who she gratefully acknowledges as her ‘Guru’ in the UPSC exam. She also credits her entire family for their unstinting support in her endeavours.
Message for Aspirants
Ovessa says that knowledge is understanding, and not mere facts and databases. She urges candidates to have faith in their own strength and talent and try hard.
She also sends a message to Kashmiri youth to join the Indian civil services and be involved in changing the country through civil services.
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For more such UPSC success stories for inspiration and motivation, you can check out our segment which posts articles on IAS toppers, Get Inspired.
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