Kolkata, WEST BENGAL:

Burhan-ul-Zaman, a resident of Kolkata, has secured the 768th rank in the UPSC 2022 exam. He worked hard, underwent many problems, struggled a lot, and fought through hurdles, but by keeping his morale high, he achieved success.

Burhan shared his educational details, from primary to higher education: he did his primary education at Rajabazar Boys & Girls English School. After that, he completed 10th grade at ML Jubilee School with 91% marks in 2013. Due to my interest in math and science, I chose the science stream and passed 12th grade in 2015 with 91.4% from Shri Jain Vidyalaya. My JEE score was not so good, but based on that, I took admission to B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shabpur Howrah. I completed my degree in 2019 with an 8.27 CGPA.

About the idea of preparing for the Civil Service Exam, Burhan said that in the final year of my B.Tech., I appeared for the GATE exam, in which I got an All India rank of 141. During GATE preparation, seniors were seen as busy preparing for the competitive exams. I got more information from them, and my good rank in GATE boosted me. Then I did a Google search and gathered more information about the UPSC. I got information about the Sitendra Nath Tagore Civil Services Centre, which is run by the West Bengal government. The institute provides an opportunity for the youth to prepare for the WB State Services with the facility of day boarding (weekend classes and week-long library self-study). I started my regular UPSC preparation in 2019. After spending almost two months there,I appeared for the first preliminary exam. But I could not qualify for the exam. At that time, my goal was to familiarise myself with the exam, which I accomplished.

In the meantime, I came to know about the Haj House IAS Coaching Centre from a senior colleague, and I appeared for the entrance exam for which I was qualified. Thus, in September 2019, I came to Haj House Mumbai. With the best arrangements and a favourable environment, I studied with more enthusiasm.

Maqsood Khan Sahib’s role was very positive; he made all kinds of facilities easily available.

Staying here, I appeared for the 2020 and 2021 UPSC exams, cleared both prelims and mains and reached the interview but unfortunately failed to make my name on the final list. After failing the interview twice, it was sad to be demoralised, but I had braced myself. Both times I prepared for the interview at the Sitendranath Tagore Civil Service Study Centre in Kolkata, but due to some shortcomings, I could not crack the interviews.

Then, due to policy matters or some other reason, the senior students had to vacate the Haj House.

I went straight to Kolkata, stayed at home, and worked hard on the basis of self-study. Qualified for the 2022 prelims, I got the opportunity to get admission in the MS IAS Academy, Hyderabad, which provides a quality environment for students to prepare for UPSC. While staying here for 3 months, I worked hard day and night. There is a very good environment for self-study at MS Academy. I cleared the mains exam and went to Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, for interview preparation. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. This is the best place to prepare for the interview. Guidance from seniors and mock interviews are well-practised and painstaking. The interview went well, the results were announced, and, Alhamdulillah, I got the 768th rank.

Burhan-ul-Zaman advised UPSC applicants that students pursuing careers in this area should carefully comprehend the following information: More than 11 lakh candidates registered for the prelims, out of which 14 thousand showed up for the mains, and out of which 2529 qualified for the interview, according to the UPSC 2022 results. 933 candidates made up the final list, which was eventually made public. The information above is intended to highlight the significant distinction between individuals who appear in the “exam” and those who appear on the final list. The “hard worker” is “rewarded” by UPSC. An endeavour may occasionally take 15 months to complete. You must patiently wait for the second attempt if, regrettably, one of the stages fails. Professionals in the civil service are respected by society. You need to work hard and be patient if you want to pass the exam; those who quit the UPSC in the midst of it lose all opportunities. So continue your diligent preparation and keep showing up for other government job examinations. The rest is up to Allah.

Burhan discussed his accomplishments and the people who contributed to them. I’ve had the thought of being an officer since I was a young child. Therefore, whether deciding whether to pursue further education or begin preparing for the UPSC following aeronautical engineering, I had already made up my mind to apply for the UPSC during my preparation, but I ultimately chose after talking to my family. Everyone was incredibly supportive of me. I thank God that I made the right choice.

In the meantime, I received step-by-step assistance from the SNT Civil Service Centre in Kolkata, Haj House, MS Academy, teachers, and all of my family, friends, and seniors (who are closer to me than teachers and parents). All of these people, in addition to Allah, are my success co-partners, and they all provided me with advice. Thanks to all the well-wishers.

When asked about his family, Burhan-ul-Zam said that his father’s name is Muhammad Masih-ul-Zaman, who is a science graduate and a cloth merchant in Kolkata. Mother Sabiha Begum is a housewife and has studied only up to high school.

The two elder brothers run a clothing business with their father. One brother has a B.Tech. One sister is a doctor, and the youngest is preparing for UPSC.

Interviewer Akhlaque Sk can be reached at sakhlaque@ymail.com

source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Education / by Shaikh Akhlaque / June 07th, 2023