UPSC CSE is not an easy exam. It is the toughest exam in India. Preparation for the UPSC exam requires hard work and discipline. Many aspirants have spent years preparing to clear the exam. However, some candidates have cleared this exam at a very young age. As a result, becoming the youngest IAS officers or the youngest IPS officer in India. To become a civil servant at a young age you need to start your preparation earlier. Also, plan on when to appear for the exam. Know in detail about the Youngest IAS and IPS Officers in India and their struggle.
UPSC Exam
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most challenging exams. As a result, the UPSC CSE is considered the toughest exam in the country. Lakhs of people give this exam. But, only 1% make it to the final cut.
So, to excel in this exam you need to work hard. Certainly, proper guidance is required. Also, disciplined efforts can help UPSC aspirants crack the exam. Many candidates, in spite of having all the comforts, fail to clear the exam. Only, coaching can not help to clear the IAS exam. Consequently, some aspirants without any external coaching with their hard work crack UPSC. Also, some of them excel at a very young age and become a civil servant. In this article further, you will get to know about Youngest IAS and IPS officers in India.
The Youngest IAS Officer In India
Ansar Ahmad Shaikh born on 1st June 1995 is the Youngest IAS Officer in India. He is a son of a rickshaw driver from Shelgaon village in Jalna Maharashtra. He cleared the UPSC CSE in 2016 by securing All India Rank-361. Most importantly, he was just 21 years old age. Certainly, Ansar is the Youngest IAS officer in India until now. He is currently serving as the Officer on Special Duty at the Department of MSME & Textiles, Government of West Bengal. His first posting was in West Bengal Cadre. He chose Marathi as the medium for answer writing in mains and interviews. Subsequently, he took Political Science as his optional subject for the mains exam.
The Youngest IAS Ansar has said, “I was marginalized in three different classes. I am from a backward region. I come from a poor background. Also, I belong to a minority community. I will try to tackle all the issues since I have seen these issues closely.” Ansar Ahmed Shaikh also said “There is no choice to hard work. During my struggle, my friends, family helped me a lot”. Dedication, family and friends, and hard work helped Ansar to his dream. But apart from that his never-give-up attitude helped him be motivated throughout his journey and led to his success.
Youngest Female IAS Officer in India
Who holds the title of Youngest Female IAS Officer of India? Then the answer is Smita Sabharwal. She was born in Darjeeling. Her father is Colonel P.K Das, now a retired army officer. Her mother is Purabi Das. Mr. Das was posted in Hyderabad. As a result, Smita did her education in Hyderabad. Smita Sabharwal pursued her B.Com Degree from St. Francis Degree College for Women. She also got AIR-1in her grade XII ICSE board exam. Unfortunately, she failed her first attempt at UPSC CSE. But she cleared in her second attempt with all India rank 4th. Currently, she is posted as an additional secretary to the chief minister of Telangana.
Smita Sabharwal is the youngest female IAS officer in India. She is an inspiration to so many women around the country. Her work in the field of public services has won many honors. She was always a bright student. She has all-India number one rank for her XII grade. Smita’s hard work and determination have pushed her far in life. She is the First Woman IAS officer to be part of the Chief Minister’s office. Her hard work and dedication and strong will have shown nothing is impossible. So let’s learn from the real-life superwoman and give our best!
The Youngest IPS Officer In India
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is considered to be the toughest exam. UPSC aspirants aim to make a difference in the world. Also, help society in the honest possible way. Similarly, 22-year-old Hasan Safin also had the same dream. He worked really hard day and stayed disciplined. As a result, Hasan Safin became the Youngest IPS Officer in India. He cleared the UPSC Civil Sevices Exam, 2018. Also, got All India Rank-570. Currently, he is the Assistant Superintendent of Police of District Jamnagar.
Hasan comes from a small village Kanodar in Gujarat of the Palanpur district. He belonged to a family with limited earnings. Hasan also said in one of his interviews that they had to go to bed without having food sometimes. His parents worked in a Diamond Mine. His mother cooked Rotis in parties and marriages to earn extra for his studies. Hasan’s childhood faced the struggles a common lower-middle-class family faces. Throughout their life, saving for money, food, and essentials to survive in India.
Youngest Female IPS Officer in India
Merin Joseph was born in Ernakulam in Kerala. She was a resident of Delhi since childhood and always wanted to become an IAS officer. She did her primary and secondary education at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School. Then she did MA in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Her father Mr. Joseph Abraham, a native of Kerala, was a Principal Advisor in the Agriculture Ministry. Her mother Meena, from Kottayam, was an Economics professor.
Merin Joseph cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Exam in 2012. She secured an all-India rank of 188. She cleared the exam just after her post-graduation. Merin Joseph wanted to become an IAS officer. But fate had other plans for her. In the 2012 UPSC exam, Merin secured AIR-188 and was allocated the IPS. She was given the home cadre. She was first posted in Ernakulam, after completing her IPS training from Hyderabad. Merin was able to clear UPSC CSE at the very young age of 22 and became the Youngest lady IPS officer from Kerala.
How to crack UPSC at Young Age?
Planed preparation: To crack the UPSC CSE on the first attempt, at an early age, you need to start preparation by getting ahold of all that is to be known about the exam.
Choose the Optional Subject: Optional paper carries 500 marks in the IAS Exam. Therefore, choose your optional subject based on our subject of liking. Also, prepare for it from the start i.e start preparing for it while preparing for prelims.
Time Management: After graduating from high school that is after clearing the higher secondary exam decide what to plan next. Choose the course or degree that has similar subjects as UPSC to help you get prepared. Continue preparing for CSE while completing your graduation.
Qualification: Basic qualification to appear for UPSC Civil Service Exam is a Bachelor’s Degree. Therefore, at first complete graduation get a degree, and then appear for the exam. Also, candidates can keep preparing for the exam while getting their bachelor’s degree. The aspirants can apply for the exam in their final year. But, only if they meet the age criteria which is 21 years of age.
Know the Syllabus: UPSC is known to have a vast syllabus. It has static as well as dynamic topics. Therefore, to even start the preparation you should know the UPSC Syllabus thoroughly.
Read Books and Current affairs: Inspirational books will help you to be motivated. Reading interviews and books written by IAS and IPS will help you get to know their strategy and prepare your plan. Also, stay updated with current affairs as they are important part of UPSC.
FAQ | Youngest IAS Officer
The answer to this question is NO. To appear for the civil service exam minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree. Also, you have to be 21 years of age.
After clearing the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Service Exam there are a few physical requirements for the IPS Post. A minimum height of 165 cm for men and 150 cm for women
32 years
The maximum age limit is 32 years for the general category candidate. Age limits vary concerning reservations.
The applicant must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on 1 August of the year of examination.
Kanishak Kataria
AIR- 1 Kanishak Kataria (Final Total – 1121/2025, 55.36%) He is the top scorer in UPSC Civil Service Exam so far.
Editor’s Note | Youngest IAS Officer
Certainly, UPSC is the toughest exam in the country. So, a lot of dedication and hard work is required to crack this exam. Some aspirants fail to clear even after attempting several times. However, some candidates clear this exam with sheer passion at a very young age. From this, we can learn age is just a number and you can achieve anything you want if you try. Youngest IPS Officer in India Hasan Safin and Youngest IAS Officer Ansar Ahmad Shaikh have proved nothing is impossible. So, buckle up and start your preparation to become a Civil servant. All The Best!!
