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Youngest IAS Officer in India – Top 10 Youngest IAS Officers of India

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The youngest IAS Officer in India is Ansar Shaikh, who qualified for the IAS exam on his first attempt at the age of just 21 years. As the youngest officer in the Indian Administrative Services, the candidate is a role model for a gallon of aspirants preparing for the UPSC exams. Being the youngest IAS Officer in India has its own charm and perks. A proper blend of hard work, guidance, and tenacity can help a candidate achieve this feat. The success story of Ansar Shaikh, the youngest IAS Officer in India, will influence the aspirants to remain undeterred in hardships and focus on their ultimate goals.

Through this article, we will shed light on the youngest IAS Officer in India, Ansar Shaikh, his tips and strategy to clear the UPSC exam on the first attempt, and the list of the top 10 youngest IAS Officers in India. The article will surely motivate you to work more dedicatedly and diligently toward your dream of becoming an IAS Officer.

Top 10 Youngest IAS Officer in India

Cracking the UPSC Exam at an early stage is not a cakewalk and requires dedication and perseverance while preparing. The average age of UPSC-selected candidates is 26.9. At an age when most of us are unsure of what to do in life, these officers enter the services after cracking one of the toughest exams in India. Here is the list of the top 10 youngest IAS Officers in India are:

  1. Ansar Shaikh: He is the youngest IAS Officer in India. Ansar, a 2016 batch IAS Officer, currently serves in the West Bengal Cadre.
  2. Tina Dabi: A 2015 UPSC IAS topper needs no introduction. She got popular right after her selection in 2015, and during the COVID times, she was appointed for the Bhilwara Model, in which she actively participated. At present, she is serving as the DM of Jaisalmer.
  3. Roman Saini: 2013, AIR- 18, Roman Saini was among the youngest to qualify for the IAS Exam, with Medical Science Optional. He though left the services in 2016 to pursue his venture.
  4. Gaurav Goyal: Gaurav Goyal is an IAS officer of the 2006 batch of Rajasthan Cadre who secured an AIR 10. He had Commerce and Public Administration as optional.
  5. Amrutesh Aurangabadkar: An AIR 10 of the 2011 batch, Amrutesh Aurangabadkar was the youngest IAS officer in the state of Maharashtra at that time.
  6. S Susree: She was a native of Kollam in Kerala who became the youngest person to clear the IAS Exam in 2017, with 151st rank. She pursued her dream without taking any formal coaching.
  7. Pradeep Singh: A Bihar Cadre, All India Rank 26, Pradeep Singh is an inspiration to many. He is a 2019 batch IAS officer.
  8. Swati Meena: She is the youngest IAS Officer of her 2007 Batch, securing 260th rank in the CSE 2007.
  9. Ananya Singh: She cracked the Civil Services in 2019 with the 51st rank. At present, she is serving in the West Bengal Cadre.
  10. Simi Kiran: An IIT Bombay graduate, Simi was the youngest female from the state of Odisha to clear the CSE 2019 with AIR 31.

BYJU'S UPSC Toppers 2023

List of Youngest IAS Officers

Here is the complete list of the youngest IAS Officers in India. They present an inspirational story for all aspirants. Their preparation strategy will also throw light on how they can attain success in the toughest exam.

Name Age State Year
Ansar Shaikh 21 Maharashtra 2016
Roman Saini 22 Rajasthan 2013
Swati Meena Naik 22 Rajasthan 2007
Amrutesh Aurangabadkar 22 Maharashtra 2011
Ankur Garg 22 Punjab 2003
Smita Sabharwal 22 West Bengal 2001
Gaurav Goyal 22 Rajasthan 2006
Tina Dabi 22 Delhi 2015
S Susree 22 Kerala 2017

Success Story of Youngest IAS Officer in India: Ansar Shaikh

Ansar Shaikh is the youngest IAS Officer in India. He is a 2016 batch IAS who secured an AIR 361 and marked an eminent place in the list of UPSC Toppers. Ansar Shaikh at the age of 21 years achieved immeasurable success and turned his dreams into reality. He picked Marathi as a subject as the medium in the Mains exam and Interview. He chose Political Science as an optional subject in the Mains exam.

Ansar Shaikh, who hails from Jalna’s Shelgaon village, Maharashtra, has been allotted the West Bengal Cadre and is currently posted as ADM, Cooch Behar. He had Political Science as his Optional Subject in the UPSC Exam.

Biography of Ansar Shaikh

Ansar Shaikh was born to Yonus Shaikh Ahmad, an autorickshaw driver in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. His mother worked in the fields. His sisters were married off early, and his brother, a school dropout, worked as a mechanic to support his dream of becoming an IAS Officer. Ansar Shaikh, the youngest IAS Officer in India, is a man of great willpower, letting him be the kind of person he is today.

Ansar, in an interview, highlighted his poor financial situation during his preparation days and how education was not a priority in his family. He said- “There is no alternative to hard work. My friends helped me a lot mentally and financially during my struggle, and even my coaching academy waived a portion of the fees due to my poor financial condition. He emphasized hard work, determination and dedication are the keys to success, and anybody who does it can clear the UPSC exam on the first attempt. He said Many people give excuses that they are poor. But remember Poverty and Success are two different things and have no correlation. You should be hardworking and determined towards your goal.”

Preparation Strategy of Ansar Shaikh: Youngest IAS Officer

The right preparation strategy is the most pivotal and essential component in determining the success of the candidates. Ansar Shaikh had an exceptional preparation strategy that led him to become the youngest IAS Officer in India and poured success. The preparation strategy of Ansar Shaikh will enlighten the aspirants and provide them with the answer to the question of how to crack UPSC. Some of the essential points that the youngest IAS Officer kept in mind while preparing for the UPSC exam were:

  • Focussing on Optional: He concentrated well on his optional subject and spent six months preparing for the same. He knew the importance of those 500 marks in the UPSC Mains.
  • Current Affairs: Current Affairs are integral to the IAS Examination. Both the UPSC Prelims and Mains cover it exhaustively. He suggested that one should read from limited sources, revise them multiple times, and watch Current Affairs Videos to get an in-depth understanding.
  • Preparing the Syllabus well: The aspirant must cover the syllabus well. Though the UPSC Prelims Syllabus and Mains syllabus are integrated, they require a completely different approach to tackle.
  • Use the Internet wisely: The Internet can do wonders in your preparation. If you cannot purchase UPSC Books, they can be accessed online. Even magazines and newspapers can be subscribed to online.

Youngest Female IAS Officer in India

According to the latest data, Tina Dabi and Smita Sabharwal are considered the two youngest female IAS officers in India. Both of them cracked the prestigious Civil Services examination at the age of 22 years.

  • Tina Dabi, the 2015 IAS Topper, had Political Science Optional in her attempt. She achieved the feat of being the youngest female IAS Officer in India in her first attempt itself. Currently, she is posted as District Collector and Magistrate, Jaisalmer- Rajasthan.
  • Smita Sabharwal, a 2000 batch UPSC Topper, secured an AIR-4 at the UPSC Exam. She is considered the ‘People’s Officer’. Her extraordinary work and efforts as an IAS officer have brought her honour and laurels, and she has become an inspiration to IAS aspirants all over the country. Smita Sabharwal had Anthropology and Public Administration as her optional subjects, and it was so because back in 2000, the UPSC Exam Pattern was completely different from what we follow now.

10 Tips to Become the Youngest IAS Officer in India

Having the correct UPSC preparation strategy is of utmost importance in any exam. Especially in the case of the UPSC exam, knowing how to prepare is crucial. To become the youngest IAS officer in India, candidates can refer to the tips below. These proven hacks have helped various other candidates qualify for the exam.

  • Be Determined: Preparing to become the youngest IAS officer is difficult and will come with its own set of difficulties. However, it is important never to let any roadblocks impact your determination. Be determined to achieve your goals and develop the mindset never to give up.
  • Start Your Preparation Early: To become the youngest IAS, you must start to prepare for UPSC early. No matter at what stage you have decided to start your journey, ensure that you first obtain complete knowledge of the exam pattern and syllabus. The various stages and many papers are the first things you need to know to get a head start over others.
  • Know the Syllabus: Knowing the UPSC syllabus is the most important step in your preparation. The syllabus is vast with various subjects, and it can take a fair amount of time to understand. Knowing the syllabus will help you prepare a strategy that will be most suitable for you.
  • Utilize the Internet: The Internet has almost everything on it. Using it wisely can help you prepare efficiently in lesser time. Various sites and apps will dynamically help you learn about current affairs, history, geography, news, etc. You can check the websites for UPSC preparation in order to prepare effectively for the exam.
  • Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree: Having a Bachelor’s degree is the minimum education qualification you need to appear for the IAS exam. Ensure you complete your degree with good marks and fulfill all the eligibility criteria.
  • Use Your Time Well: Use your free time to allow you to complete as much of the syllabus as possible in the shortest possible time. It is tempting to spend all your free time with friends and family but to become the youngest IAS officer, it is important to maintain a balance and use your free time appropriately.
  • Choosing the Optional Subject Wisely: In the UPSC Mains exam, the optional paper has a weightage of 500 marks which can greatly influence your total score. Hence, one must choose this optional subject for UPSC carefully. It is best to choose a subject you are comfortable with and can see yourself studying for long stretches of time without getting too bored.
  • Solve Previous Year Question Paper: Practising UPSC’s previous year question papers are the most important part of your preparation. It cannot be skipped. These pacers are the best way to acquaint yourself with the exam and prepare for it accordingly.
  • Read About Successful Candidates: To ensure you are doing your UPSC preparation in the best possible manner, look at what the other successful candidates did. Their stories will serve as an inspiration as well as provide you with the approach you need to take with your preparation.
  • Know the Current Affairs: Current Affairs make up most of the exam, so newspapers are your best friend. From the Prelims to the Interview stage, current affairs will be everywhere, and it is best to ensure you have a good grasp of them.

Youngest IAS Officers in India in 2022

The youngest IAS Officer in India in 2022 is Ansar Shaikh. He was only 21 when he cracked the prestigious exam in 2016. He hails from Marathwada in Maharashtra. His father is a rickshaw driver, and his mother used to work in the fields. He worked hard to achieve selection in the UPSC exam at a very young age.

To become the youngest IAS officer, Ansar focused on his optional exam and kept himself updated with current affairs. He also studied the syllabus and understood it well to prepare a strategy that allowed him to study efficiently.

Youngest Cabinet Secretary of India

Rajiv Gauba is the youngest Cabinet Secretary of India. It is the most powerful position an IAS officer can achieve. He was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary on 30 August 2019. He belongs to the 1982 Jharkhand batch. He is known for his excellent work in the state of Jharkhand and is the brains behind many of its reforms and developments in the context of labour laws. Rajiv Gauba also served as Home Secretary of India.

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