Your background does not matter, and marks don’t define your intelligence. Only hard work and determination will fulfil your goals. IAS Ansar Shaikh is a living proof.

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Born and raised in a low-income household in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, he grew up observing the social menaces of domestic violence and child marriage up close.

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“I was often mocked when I would ask silly questions. But I never really stopped asking questions. The spirit of inquiry is essential to a UPSC aspirant,” he says.

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‘Your competition is you’...

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“If you think your competition is with other lakhs of aspirants who give the exam, you are mistaken. Your only competition is you. So get rid of all of your pessimistic thoughts and success will come your way.”

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