Nisa Unnirajan – The 40-Year-Old Mother Who Beat Odds and Hearing Loss to Crack UPSC
In a world where most give up after one or two failures, 40-year-old Nisa Unnirajan from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, turned her seventh attempt into a triumph — clearing one of India’s toughest exams, the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, with an All India Rank of 1000.
A mother of two young daughters and a hearing-impaired candidate, Nisa’s story stands as a resounding testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and self-belief.
Seven Attempts, One Dream
For Nisa, the UPSC journey wasn’t a straight road. It began when she was already well into her 30s, juggling her duties as an Assistant Audit Officer in the Accountant General’s office and managing her home and children.
“Every attempt taught me something new — about the exam and about myself,” she said in an interview after her results. “It wasn’t about competing with others anymore; it was about not giving up on myself.”
Her seventh attempt in 2024 finally brought the breakthrough she had waited nearly a decade for.
Turning Disability Into Strength
Nisa’s hearing impairment — nearly 40% hearing loss — made conventional preparation methods especially challenging. Online lectures, discussions, and mock interviews were not easy to follow.
Instead, she crafted her own strategy: reading intensively, summarizing newspaper editorials, and revising notes during every free moment — from office breaks to late nights after putting her children to sleep.
“I had to find my rhythm. I couldn’t hear everything, but I could understand and retain what I read deeply,” she shared.
Her discipline and quiet determination soon turned her limitation into a form of strength — sharpening her concentration and focus.
Balancing Roles: Officer, Mother, and Dreamer
Between office deadlines and parenting duties, Nisa’s study schedule often began after midnight. Her husband and parents played a crucial role in supporting her dream — managing household responsibilities and encouraging her to keep trying.
Her daughters, Nandana and Thanvi, often studied beside her, unaware that their mother was chasing one of India’s most competitive dreams. “I wanted them to see that persistence matters — that even failure can be part of success,” she said.
Inspiration and Impact
Her achievement has inspired thousands across India, especially women who believe that age, family responsibilities, or physical challenges limit their aspirations.
Even Shashi Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, took to social media to celebrate her journey, writing:
“It’s never too late — an inspiring story! A 40-year-old disabled mother from Thiruvananthapuram cracked the IAS while raising two kids.”
Her success has become a beacon for differently-abled aspirants and late starters who dream of a place in the country’s top civil services.
A New Chapter Begins
With her selection, Nisa Unnirajan is set to enter the Indian Administrative Service under the hearing-impaired quota. But beyond the rank and the title, her story speaks to something larger — the victory of resilience over circumstance.
In her own words:
“There were days I doubted everything. But every time I thought of giving up, I remembered why I started.”
For thousands of UPSC aspirants across the nation, that reminder might be all they need to keep going.
