UPSC AIR 9 Nausheen: ‘Academic culture of DU and Jamia inspired me to appear for civil services exams’
In her fourth attempt, 24-year-old Nausheen cleared the Union Public Service Commission’s civil services examination, results of which were announced on Tuesday afternoon, with an all-India rank of nine. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, Nausheen is an alumna of Delhi University’s Khalsa College.
In an interview, she shared with indianexpress.com her response to that one question during the personality test which she thinks reflected her personality, interest and knowledge and was probably the reason why she got selected.
“One panellist asked me to name two historical events that I wish never happened. I told them one would be the world wars and the other is the colonisation of African and Asian countries. The latter is one of my favourite topics and I spoke at length about it,” she said.
The interview was 30-35 minutes long.
Nausheen’s father is a director at the Prasar Bharti and mother a homemaker. Her elder brother and sister work at public sector undertakings. Was that the reason she picked the UPSC exam? “Civil service examinations were somewhere in the back of my mind. However, I was not sure about it. It was my peers at Delhi University who were constantly discussing interesting topics, current affairs etc that helped me make up my mind. I realised my knowledge is nowhere close to theirs… Basically, it is the DU culture that inspired me to take up this exam,” she added.
After completing her graduation in 2019, Nausheen appeared for the civil services examinations in 2020 and 2021 and cleared prelims and mains. She could not clear the 2022 prelims. “I would have taken a gap if I had failed to crack the exam this year too. I would have attempted next year,” she said.
Nausheen enrolled at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy, which provides free coaching to civil service aspirants. “I learned a lot from here. Leave aside cracking it, discussions about ranks are so normal that you feel competitive,” she said.
This DU student relied on coaching material in her initial attempts. This time she decided to prepare with the help of newspapers. She religiously read The Hindu and for the interview, she focused on The Indian Express.
In her free time, she enjoys watching science fiction series. “I liked the OTT series Dark,” she said. How about the Bollywood flick 12th Fail, which shows the hardship of UPSC aspirants? “I don’t watch such films that glamourise civil services. It is a serious profession and I do not want to see any fancy portrayal,” she said.
Nausheen is among the few women candidates who have managed to make it to the top 10. In previous years, mostly women bagged the top ranks. The topper this year is Aditya Srivastava.
For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS
News Related-
Anurag Kashyap unveils teaser of ‘Kastoori’
-
Shehar Lakhot: Meet The Intriguing Characters Of The Upcoming Noir Crime Drama
-
Watch: 'My name is VVS Laxman...': When Ishan Kishan gave wrong answers to right questions
-
Tennis-Sabalenka, Rybakina to open new season in Brisbane
-
Sikandar Raza Makes History For Zimbabwe With Hattrick A Day After Punjab Kings Retain Him- WATCH
-
Delayed Barapullah work yet to begin despite land transfer
-
Army called in to help in tunnel rescue operation
-
FIR against Redbird aviation school for non-cooperation, obstructing DGCA officials in probe
-
IPL 2024 Auction: Why Gujarat Titans allowed Hardik Pandya to join Mumbai Indians? GT explain
-
From puff sleeves to sustainable designs: Top 5 bridal fashion trends redefining elegance and style for brides-to-be
-
The Judge behind China's financial reckoning
-
Arshdeep Singh & Axar Patel Out, Avesh Khan & Washington Sundar IN? India's Likely Playing XI For 3rd T20I
-
Horoscope Today, November 28, 2023: Check here Astrological prediction for all zodiac signs
-
'Gurdwaras are...': US Sikh body on Indian envoy's heckling by Khalistani backers