Kerala: Hearing-impaired mother cracks UPSC in 7th attempt

Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram native Nisa Unnirajan, who secured rank 1,000 in 2024 civil services examinations is getting more appreciation as she cleared the civil services by overcoming her hearing impairment.

A mother of two, Unnirajan's civil services dreams started in her 30s and she secured it at her age of 40, that too in her seventh attempt. Unnirajan, is now working as audit assistant at the accountant general's office.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was among those who hailed Unnirajan's achievement by congratulating her on the social media for her inspiring story.

Jobin S Kottaram of Absolute IAS Academy, who is one of her mentors, said that her determination to try the civil services despite failing in six attempts needs to be applauded.

"I have been mentoring many civil service aspirants who are differently challenged. But Unnirajan could be the eldest among them who could clear the civil services. Moreover, she secured this while taking care of her office and home responsibilities," said Jobin who had mentored many differently able persons who cleared IAS.

Unnirajan is overcoming her hearing impairment with the help of hearing aids and by catching lip movement. Though her rank is 1,000, she could get IAS in the quota for the differently-abled persons.