India Untold

Orphanage to UPSC success: IAS Mohammed Ali Shihab's inspiring journey

Image credits: social media

Helping father with work

At the age of just 7, Mohammed Ali Shihab began selling bamboo baskets alongside his father in the village of Evannappara in Malappuram, Kerala.

Image credits: social media

Challenges

Shihab's father passed away unexpectedly in 1991, leaving his uneducated mother to face the challenge of finding suitable work to support the family.

Image credits: Social Media

Facing challenges

Struggling to make ends meet, his mother decided to place Shihab in an orphanage, where he would have access to food and education.

Image credits: Social Media

Orphanage

The orphanage became a turning point for Shihab, as he excelled in his studies during his time there.

Image credits: social media

10 years in orphanage

Shihab spent a decade in the orphanage, where he completed his schooling. To support his higher education, he worked as a peon.

Image credits: Social Media

21 Government Job Exams

His academic brilliance enabled him to pass 21 government job exams, securing positions such as jail warden, railway ticket checker, and roles in the forest department.

Image credits: Social Media

Becoming an IAS officer

In 2011, he achieved an impressive 226th rank in the UPSC exam, ultimately becoming an IAS officer.

Image credits: Pinterest

Success story: Meet IAS Swati Meena Naik who cracked UPSC at 22

Sarojini Naidu: First woman governor of an India state

Meet Indrawati, Delhi's First Post 'Woman'

IAS vs PCS: Key differences in power, salary, and roles explained