1. Ansar Shaikh Son of a rickshaw-puller in the drought-hit village of Shelgaon in Marathwada, Ansar Shaikh’s childhood was challenging. Due to extreme poverty, he witnessed his sisters get married at 15, his brother drop out of school, and his mother be subjected to domestic violence.

Despite these adversities, in 2016, at just 21, he achieved a remarkable feat by cracking the UPSC exam on his first attempt and becoming the youngest IAS officer.

2. Rajendra Bharud Born and raised in Samode village in Sakri Taluka, Dr Rajendra Bharud lost his father right before his birth. He grew up in a household run by his mother and grandmother selling desi wine in a small hut.

An incredibly bright student, Rajendra’s teachers advised his mother to admit him to a better institution for higher education. He proved them all right by not only clearing UPSC but also studying medicine and becoming a doctor.

3. Mohammad Ali Shihab When Mohammad was 11 years old, he lost his father leaving his mother to feed five children. The financial crisis pushed his mother to send him and two of his sisters to an orphanage in Kozhikode.

After spending a decade at the orphanage, he worked various odd jobs, serving as a peon at the Kerala Water Authority and later as a clerk at a Gram Panchayat. In 2011, after months of preparation, he successfully passed the UPSC exam.

4. Vivek Kuttikol Vivek is from Kerala’s Vanam community, known for a ceremonial dance in North Kerala. His father was a performer who needed to be in a trance, achieved by consuming substances. 

Despite a challenging childhood with an alcoholic father, Vivek grew stronger. Just 15 days before his exam, he found out about his father’s passing. Instead of giving up, this fueled his determination. In 2017, he passed his exams and now assists individuals like his dad in fighting addiction.

5. Arti Dogra Born in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Arti is just 3.5 feet tall and was bullied all her life. While many told her that she would not be able to attend school like other kids, she defied odds and graduated in economics from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.

She then went on to crack the UPSC exam on her first attempt. As an IAS officer in Rajasthan, she organised wheelchairs and vehicles for disabled individuals across constituencies to vote.