Sheema Nabi Qasba, a lawyer with a leading private firm in New Delhi from Kashmir has secured All India Rank 205th in Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Sheema’s first attraction towards the Civil Services was the IPS from a very young age and she chose it as her top preferences. If luck favours her, Sheema Nabi Qasba would like to get to take IPS.

As a child, Sheema Nabi Qasba was inspired by India’s first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi and over the last many years Sheema nurtured the ambition. It was a tough drill managing a job and preparing for the top exams. Even as Sheema Nabi Qasba prepared for the exam, she worked on law-related projects as well.

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Family Background

Sheema Nabi Qasba, the new IAS female qualifier comes from Jammu and Kashmir. Her father Dr. Ghulam Nabi Qasba is the former Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Dr. G.N Qasba is presently Mission Director of National Rural Livelihood Mission. At Sheema Nabi’s house in Srinagar’s Habak neighbourhood, proud parents were garlanding Sheema and celebrating their daughter’s big achievement.

“I felt very happy and great full to Allah that Sheema has been all through a hardworking daughter and very sincere in studies. I am happy that she has done well. I think it’s a very good beginning and I hope more and more people from Kashmir make it to Civil Services and I feel very happy that many youngsters from Kashmir are now joining Civil Services,” said GN Qasba, a proud father of Sheema Nabi Qasba.

Civil Services Examination which is conducted by Union Public Service Commission is considered to be the toughest exams to crack. “In Kashmir it is a good career option that’s open to everyone as long they are willing to work hard for it. It’s one of the fairest exams in the country and it is open to everyone, for aspirational people who want to do good in life,” said Sheema Nabi Qasba.

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Educational Background

Sheema Nabi Qasba has completed her primary schooling from Presentation Convent School and later went for higher secondary school from Mallinson School Srinagar. After completing her schooling she completed her LL.B. (Honours) from National Law University, Jodhpur. Sheema also worked with a leading law firm in New Delhi for the last three years before qualifying for the UPSC Exam. It was a proud moment for Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, Srinagar when Sheema Nabi Qasba, an ex-student, cleared the prestigious Civil Services Examination.

Addressing the students, Sheema Nabi Qasba said that “one needs to crack any examination is hard work.” She reiterated the importance of staying focused to achieve one’s goals in life. “Making a mention of the values like discipline, punctuality and humility, which her Presentation schooling has given her, she said that these have stood her in good stead and contributed to her success,” the statement added.

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Optional Subject

Sheema Nabi Qasba opted for  Sociology as her optional subject but for the exam the study level was an advanced one. A constant study of five hours a day helped Sheema to crack the hard nut. Sheema Nabi Qasba overcame the feeling of tiredness and stress by motivation. Sheema Nabi Qasba would love to join Indian Police Services but she won’t mind to serve in any other service either. Sheema was a sheltered child since her childhood and the ongoing conflict had no affect on her life.

Attempts by Sheema Nabi Qasba

This was Sheema Nabi Qasba’s second successful attempt. Earlier Sheema appeared in IAS exams in 2014 but she couldn’t crack it. “I am really relieved after cracking the exams. It is a moment of great happiness for me,” Sheema Nabi Qasba said.

Have A Look: Meet Tina Dabi IAS Topper 2015 – 2016

Success Mantras

Hard work, motivation and faith in her abilities were the mantras for Sheema Nabi Qasba success. Although Sheema Nabi Qasba was determined to qualify the exam when she was in school, but finally she took the call in 2014, three years after she finished her studies. The same year, she made my first attempt but did not succeed. However it was a good learning experience. Sheema Nabi Qasba cultivated from that experience brick by brick until she succeeded.

Sheema Nabi Qasba left for Delhi to study law after she finished her schooling in the Kashmir Valley. Later she picked a job as a lawyer. For Prelims, Sheema Nabi Qasba made a self study and for the Mains she opted for coaching classes. Sheema Nabi Qasba was working also during her preparations but sometimes she took off as well.

Sheema Nabi Qasba says, “Every year just a few hundred out of lakhs of aspirants manage to clear the Civil Services exam. It takes several months, sometimes years to clear the exams. But the toughest exams also bring out the best from the aspirants, many of those who struggle a lot, swim against the tide and overcome a lot of barriers to achieve their dreams.”

Also Read: Topper’s Story – Nitika Pawar IAS, 2011

Inspiration from UPSC Toppers

When it comes to success stories of young Kashmiri women, they are just a few. But as and when they happen, they set a benchmark and such aspirational shifts among the valley youngsters becomes an inspiration for several others aspirants too. Young boys and girls, born and brought up during turmoil, are now writing a new chapter of aspirational Kashmir by cracking Civil Services Exams. This year, 10 candidates from the Valley have cleared the Civils.

This year’s second topper in the Civil Services list is also from Kashmir – 23-year-old Akhtar Amir Khan, the son of a school teacher from Anantnag district in south Kashmir, a region that has seen the revival of terrorism in the last year. Akhtar Amir Khan and many other young Kashmiris have been inspired by Shah Faesal, the 2009 IAS topper from the state.

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A mercurial young girl Tina Dabi of 22 years from New Delhi has shown immense potential throughout her career and has topped the prestigious Civil Services Exams 2015, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It has also again showed the growing clout of woman in the Indian Civil Services.

Bright and bubbly Tina Dabi woke up from a nap Tuesday evening and discovered she had topped the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and has just achieved what many would have taken years to achieve. Tina is an inspiration for Indian youths, particularly girls.

Mother from Maharashtra, father from Rajasthan. Tina is a Delhi girl. But when asked for her preference of cadre, she says the state has challenges and I would prefer the Haryana cadre. “I opted for Haryana because it presents such an interesting example, where you have a lot of economic progress but when it comes to social indicators you are lagging behind, and that is a very big paradox.”

“What is actually holding Haryana back is its patriarchal mindset and the gender inequality, which is a subject very close to my heart, since I am a woman from a progressive family and have also studied in a college that lays great emphasis on gender equality, so that is something I want to change about the state,” she said.

As a matter of fact, Tina Dabi is a Dalit girl. Its a pleasant surprise that a Dalit girl topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination at the age of 22 years in her very first attempt.

Must Read:Tina Dabi tops UPSC Civil Services 2015-16 Results

Family Background of Tina Dabi

Tina Dabi was born and brought up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She then shifted with her family members to Delhi when she was in class VII. Since then she is living in BSNL Colony on Kali Bari Marg near Gole Market in the heart of New Delhi. Her father Jaswanth Dabi is working with the Department of Telecom and her mother Himani Dabi is an engineer. Her younger sister Ria has just passed Class XII this year.

Tina Dabi’s parents were the ones who suggested Tina to consider a career in Civil Services. They felt this was something she had a flare for, that she had the requisite qualities required for a bureaucrat, and could master the field. They were the ones who encouraged and guided her to consider it.

Tina’s father said “It is the best day of my life and I have always been proud of her.”

Tina Dabi gives most of the credit for her results to her mother, saying, “I’ve never seen anyone give up so much, make so many sacrifices, to fulfil my dreams. She is my role model. I’ve never seen anyone more humble, honest, sincere or hard working.” The youngest member of the Dabi family, Riya, describes her sister as her “hero” and intends to follow in her footsteps. “With her results I am very proud of her. She is an inspiration,” said Riya.

Read Also: UPSC Result (2016) of Civil Services Exam 2015

Educational Background

Tina Dubi moved to Delhi with her family when she was in Class VII. She completed her schooling from the Convent of Jesus and Mary and was also school topper in class 12. After completing her schooling, Tina Dabi took admission in the Lady Sriram College of Commerce in 2011. She didn’t go for B.Com from here, rather she took admission in Political Science. Tina Dabi got graduated in Political Science from Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University and she spent a year attending coaching for the UPSC examinations, waiting until she reached the eligibility age of 21.

Tina Dabi has deep interest in the Constitution of India and the Indian politics from her school days. Her interest got reflection in her very first year result where she was topper among of Delhi University in Political Science discipline.

Tina Dabi was also the Vice Speaker of Youth Parliament, 2012 and was also endowed with amazing oratory skill. In fact, she has been a profound debater since her school days.

Also Read: Topper of IAS-2014 exam – Ira Singhal

Optional Paper

Tina Dabi opted for Political Science as her optional subject. Both her parent are from engineering service but guided Tina Dabi to take up Political Science and she cracked the UPSC Exam and came out with flying colors in first go and topped it.

Attempts

Tina Dabi cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in her first attempt, was elated. “I did expect I would make it to the list because my exams went well, but number 1 – that’s something that I would call the stuff of dreams,” Tina Dabi said.

Preparation Strategy

Tina Dabi studied for 8 to 10 hours a day and gives the credit for her success to “strategy and planning”, placing emphasis on “having a schedule, weekly targets, and being disciplined and focused”. Tina Dabi’s secret mantra of success is hard work, focus, discipline and family support.

Tina Dabi said, “You feel lonely and you feel depressed because this is such a difficult exam. Other parts of your life become almost non-existent, so patience I think is main key for success. The secret formula to my success is a lot of hard work, lots of patience and being blessed with a very hardworking mother.”

Tina Dabi has always been a mercurial young girl and has shown immense potential throughout her career. This result is a testimony of her determination. She has obviously selected for IAS as her first choice and Haryana as her first choice for cadre.

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Veditha Reddy daughter of IFS Officer and District President has secured a rank in UPSC Civil Services to become an IAS officer. Veditha Reddy has achieved 71 rank in the UPSC Civil Services 2014. With effort, determination and latent talent one can achieve one’s goal in life, said Veditha Reddy, and she was also the district’s first woman to crack the UPSC Exam.

Viditha Reddy says that the backwardness of Srikakulam district is the inspiration to her to choose to become an IAS officer. She also like to work for the empowerment of Women. Veditha said that her inspiration is her parents motivated her to take AP cadre as her first option.

Interestingly, All the Top 4 Ranks have been occupied by Women (Ira Singhal, Renu Raj, Nidhi Gupta and Vandana Rao). Suharsha Bhagat is the only male candidate in Top 5 and he attained 5th Rank.

Must Read: Inspirational Story of Tailor’s Son – Nirish Rajput IAS

Marks Obtained

Family Background of Veditha Reddy

Veditha Reddy is a daughter of a Karnataka Forest Department officer Reddy Nagabhusan Rao and YSRCP Srikakulam District President Reddy Shanthi Kumari. It was a proud moment for her mother as her daughter Veditha Reddy got selected in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Veditha Redy quoted her father Reddy Nagabhushan Rao, an IFS officer and her mother Shanthi Kumari as a major pillar of her success.

On the occasion, Veditha Reddy said she had chosen the IAS with an aim to do social service. She said that her parents also encouraged her towards achieving her aim. She also expressed her gratefulness to all those who blessed her.

You Might Also Like: Meet Tina Dabi IAS Topper 2015 – 2016

Educational Background

Veditha Reddy completed her schooling from Dhadranagar and later shifted to Delhi Sanskriti Vidhyalaya for Secondary and Higher secondary education. Veditha Reddy is an engineering graduate in Electronics and Communications from Srikakulam district.

Veditha Reddy of 23 years had campaigned in support of her mother, who contested for the MP seat of Srikakulam during the general elections in AP during 2014. Veditha said that this campaign had inspired her to think what she can do to the oppressed sections of the society and to choose the Civils path. She participated in awareness camps in Ambedkar University and Padmavati Degree College in Narasannapeta.

Also Read: Inspiring Story of Kerala’s Lipin Raj M.P who Cracked UPSC Exam

Optional Paper

Veditha Reddy took Anthropology as her optional paper though she was an engineering student. The students should choose interesting subjects to get good rank although they are studying other courses.

Attempts

Veditha Reddy, an engineering graduate from Srikakulam district, was all set to become an IAS officer by bagging AIR-71 in the elite Civil Services Exams. She got selected technically in her first attempt after pursuing her Engineering.

Read Also: Mohammed Ali Shihab IAS: An Inspiring Journey from Orphanage to UPSC

Message for Aspirants

Andhra Pradesh women’s top ranker of Civil Services Veditha Reddy said IAS can be achieved when aspirants would strongly believe their strengths and study in a systematic manner under the guidance of experts. She asked the candidates not to lose hope and never give scope for disappointment.

• There is no substitute for hard work.
• A Civil Aspirant has to compete with himself and bring the best out of him.
• The number of hours one spends studying per day is not particularly important.
• Stay motivated and surrounded by positive and optimistic people.
• Aspirants should not give any scope for disappointment during their preparation. That is the fundamental rule.
• Understand the subject thoroughly and study the previous question papers and take the help of faculty in answering the model papers.

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Harshika Singh who dreamt of being an IAS officer since adolescence brought laurels to the state Ranchi, the hometown of Indian cricket icon MS Dhoni. Harshika Singh returned from London to plunge into UPSC preparations and undeterred by her average performance in her first attempt the Ranchi girl’s her hard work with determination and regular study achieved her a single digit All India Rank 8th in the merit list and fulfilled her dream of becoming a Civil Servant in 2011.

Jharkhand and Bihar were Harshika’s first and second posting preferences. “Issues involving women are big here — be it crime or mortality rate. My aim will be to address these first,” Harshika Singh said.

Marks Obtained

Must Read: Topper’s Story – Vandana IAS – Ranked 8th with Hindi Medium

Family Background

Harshika Singh was born and brought up at Kanke residence in Ranchi. Her father Anil Singh is a real estate   developer and her mother Rekha Singh is a senior executive with Central Coalfields Limited.

Harshika’s mother said, “I feel like top of the world. I knew she would do well but her being in the top 10 is out of the blues. Most importantly, our daughter was always clear on what she wanted to do. As parents, we supported her in every possible way. She was a champion right from her school days”.

Giving the credit to her parents, Harshika Singh said, “It was only because of the support and moral boosting of my parents who stood by me through thick and thin. I never felt that I could not do it and as I had appeared for the exam once. Their one statement that struck me was, ‘You can do it and you will do it, give it a second try’ helped me to regain back my senses and I decided to give my 100% for that one dream”.

Educational Background

Harshika Singh completed her matriculation from Bishop Westcott Girls’ School in Namkum and senior secondary from DAV-Hehal, Ranchi. She completed her graduation in Economics (Hons) from St Xavier’s College, Ranchi in 2007. After completing her graduation, she went to pursue her Masters in Economic History from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) London,UK in 2009.

Harshika Singh started reading magazines since her college days but got into the serious preparations from October 2009 after completing her masters. Harshika was fascinated by cars with red beacons since her childhood. And that was her first motivation to work hard and achieve using such a VIP car!

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Optional Paper

Harshika’s background and the interest in the subject was the most obvious reason for choosing Economics and Anthropology as her first and second optional subjects. Economics was her passion so she never considered this as just a subject. Harshika Singh enjoyed her preparation and religiously followed the day to day developments in World Economy/Indian Economy through Internet /Newspapers and News channels. Availability of study materials and a background in biology also helped Harshika Singh in choosing Anthropology as her second optional.

Attempts by Harshika Singh

A candid Harshika Singh minced no words to admit that this was her second UPSC attempt. In her first attempt in 2010 she got a rank of 638, but decided to give it another try for a better rank and her confidence didn’t waver. Her rank was very low so she was not getting the post she wanted. Harshika Singh was selected for allied services, but she knew she would make it to IAS. She decided to give it another try and was expecting a better rank but 8th was beyond her expectations.

Also Read: Meet Gaurav Agrawal- UPSC civil services 2013 topper

Preparation Strategy

Harshika Singh prepared a balanced strategy at the very beginning of preparation. She roughly made a mental preparation plan and ensured on a daily basis that she was following it thoroughly. Harshika Singh studied till the time she was able to concentrate roughly 8-10 hrs daily and she was preparing for CSE since 2009 December for her first attempt in 2010 (AIR Rank-640).

Harshika Singh emphasized on making my concepts very clear and re-read the textbooks. When she was bored or lacked enthusiasm, she took a break saw TV, went on Facebook etc-did anything that diverted her mind but only for max 10 mins. After that she reminded herself of her dreams and was back on her study table.

She used to practice some test papers and also make a rough time plan before the exams. They helped her in proper time management. Harshika Singh made her concepts were very clear and was able to express and substantiate the theories with adequate presentations and eg’s, she also used diagrams wherever feasible.

Any person who is preparing for CSE faces the frequent bouts of enthusiasm and boredom. Even Harshika Singh faced it especially in the evening hours. However she feel 1 year of intensive study is sufficient.

Advice for Young Aspirants

• Never get disheartened.
• If you follow your dreams, then work hard, you will definitely succeed.
• Covered all the relevant topics from NCERT books for conventional part.
• Work hard on making concepts very clear and then practice answer writing from last years question papers.
• Dream a dream and make a determined effort to achieve it and you would surely succeed one day.
• CSE preparation is a beautiful and life changing experience. Live it and you will enjoy and relish it forever.

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