Seven tries, two kids, one dream: Nisa’s IAS journey is peak perseverance
At an age when most aspirants have either cleared the UPSC or hung up their boots, 40-year-old Nisa Unnirajan from Thiruvananthapuram scripted an extraordinary tale of grit. A mother of two young children, a full-time employee, and someone living with a hearing disability, Nisa cleared the civil services examination in her seventh attempt, securing a rank of 1,000 in the 2024 results.
Despite her rank, Nisa is eligible for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) under the disabled category. Her story is not just one of success, but of silent strength, support from family, and steely determination.
The dream that bloomed late but bold
Nisa began her civil services journey only at the age of 35, far later than the usual aspirants. As reported by TNN, she said, “I always had the ambition somewhere within me, but I only gave myself permission to pursue it seriously after I turned 35.”
Balancing parenting duties with preparation wasn’t easy. With daughters Nandana (11) and Thanvi (7) at home, the civil services syllabus wasn’t her only responsibility. Supported by her husband Arun, a software engineer, and her parents—retired police clerk Unnirajan and Jayasree—she kept moving forward.
“I failed repeatedly, but I never saw those attempts as wasted,” she was quoted by TNN. “Each one taught me something valuable. I kept refining my approach.”
The training, the tribe, the tenacity
Nisa credited her training at a private coaching centre in Thiruvananthapuram as a pivotal part of her journey. She also drew tremendous motivation from Kottayam sub-collector Ranjith, who, like her, lives with a hearing impairment. As reported by TNN, she shared, “Knowing someone with a similar challenge had already walked this path made a huge difference.”
To stay motivated, she turned to biographies, real-life success stories, and a daily dose of motivational videos. Her routine may have been unconventional, but it was deeply personal and effective. Her persistence paid off—not overnight, but over years of tireless effort.
Breaking barriers with grit and grace
Her achievement has inspired not just her family but a broader community of aspirants who may feel boxed in by age, disability, or circumstance. “It’s never too late,” she told TNN, her voice steady. “And no dream is ever too big.”
Now poised to enter the IAS, Nisa stands as a living example of perseverance and purpose. As her story spreads, many others are likely to believe what she proved—that even the longest journeys begin with a single brave step, no matter when you take it.
