How I Cleared IAS? Inside Story of an IAS Topper

Each year, thousands of students wait with bated breath to find their names in the final merit list. While the success stories of all the toppers serve as an inspiration, a few stories make chills run down the spine. Here is one such incredible tale of resilience. An inside story of an IAS topper – Mohammed Ali Shihab. Read on for more on his story of how his life came full circle, from growing up in an orphanage to being the Deputy Commissioner of a remote district by clearing the IAS exam and becoming an IAS topper.

Mohammed Ali Shihab Background

Shihab was born in Kerala’s Malappuram district. Tragedy befell his life when his father passed away, leaving behind five children and a wife who was to fend for the whole family. Soon after, Shihab was sent to an orphanage where he spent the next 10 years of his life. From an orphanage, to become an IAS topper is indeed an amazing feat.

Education and Background

Shihab started working as a primary school teacher after his pre-degree. Meanwhile, he tried his hand at many jobs. He cracked the exams for the selection of clerks, peons, jail warden, forester and railway ticket collector. He also got a BA degree in history by writing exams as a private candidate.

Journey to the IAS

Shihab then decided to become an IAS officer and serve the underprivileged. He joined an institute as he did not have a lot of time to spend on trying new strategies of preparation. “But for the coaching, I would not have made it to the Civil Services,” Shihab says. Life yet again posed a challenge for him. His daughter was born with paralysis of the arm. During his studies for the civil services exam, and during exams, he had to shuttle between hospitals and home. He had to drop out of the institute and continue the rest of the preparation at home.

He took the help of a faculty of a Civil Service training institute in Kerala to streamline his preparation. Sailing through all the challenges that came his way, determined to serve people like him, he finally cracked the Civil Services Exam in 2011.

In 2011, Dr Shena Aggarwal was the IAS toppers. You can read more about her IAS success story here. You can also draw inspiration from the UPSC toppers 2018. They are mentioned in the table below.

Shihab’s entry into civil services shows the importance of IAS coaching in clearing the UPSC exam. Coaching gives a direction to the IAS preparation and helps make sense of a large amount of data one has to ingest.

It also helps to understand how to go about covering the vast IAS syllabus.

Shihab’s Optional Subject

Initially, Shihab took Geography and History as his optional papers for UPSC IAS Exam. He got coaching for both optional subjects. But later, he found Geography difficult and opted for Malayalam Literature as his optional Subject for the Civil Services Mains Examination. Know more about Malayalam Literature optional subject – pros and cons, book list, etc. at the linked article.

Malayalam Literature Syllabus:-Download PDF Here

Success Factor in IAS

Shihab owes his success to the discipline he was taught while in the orphanage and the guidance he got while preparing for the exam without which he could not have realised his dream. Despite the limited facilities and lack of time, he studied hard. “Be stronger than your strongest excuse”, says Shihab who now has the power to change the fate of many people like him and works for the betterment of a remote village. His life is an inspiration for many underprivileged youths in the country today. If Shihab could do it despite all odds and limited resources, what is your excuse?

Find an excuse to clear the IAS exams. Kickstart your UPSC 2022 preparation now!

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