Rickshaw Driver’s Daughter Becomes Maharashtra’s First Muslim Woman IAS Officer

Adibah Anam, daughter of a Yavatmal rickshaw driver, has made history by securing All India Rank 142 in the UPSC 2024 exam, becoming Maharashtra’s first Muslim woman IAS officer, Muslim Mirror reported. Educated in a Zilla Parishad Urdu school, she scored 94% in SSC and 92.46% in HSC before graduating in Mathematics from Pune’s Abeda Inamdar College (85.20%).

Initially aspiring to be a doctor, Adibah shifted to civil services under her uncle’s guidance. Despite failing her first two attempts—including a pandemic-disrupted try—she persisted through mentorship at Mumbai’s Hajj House and Jamia Millia Islamia’s coaching academy. She credits her parents’ unwavering support, particularly her father’s simple prayer: “May Allah make you successful.”

Choosing Urdu Literature as her optional subject, she balanced her science background with cultural roots. “This victory belongs to every girl told to stay behind,” said Adibah, whose journey symbolizes resilience for marginalized communities. She aims to leverage her role for broader societal impact.