Educated at Allahabad University, the daughter of a State Bank of India officer credits self-study, family support and disciplined preparation to secure first rank
NEW DELHI — In a story of determination, faith and steady hard work, Anjum Ara from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh has secured first rank in the Chhattisgarh Provincial Judicial Service Examination, becoming a judge and bringing pride to her home state. Her success has been widely celebrated in Prayagraj, where neighbours and well-wishers described her achievement as a moment of honour for the city.
Anjum, who comes from an educated Muslim family, said her journey was shaped by a personal loss that changed the direction of her life. Her uncle, whom she lovingly called Bade Abu, served as an Additional District Judge. His death left a deep impact on her and inspired her to choose the path of judicial service. “I used to call him Bade Abu,” Anjum recalled. “After he passed away, I made up my mind that I would become a judge like him and serve society.”
She completed her early schooling at Central Academy in Jhunsi town in Prayagraj District before pursuing her BA and LLB from the University of Allahabad. Reflecting on her university years, Anjum said the Law Faculty played a major role in shaping her approach towards legal studies. “The Law Faculty taught me to understand the law, not just memorise it,” she said. “Our professors focused on practical learning. That helped me a lot in the judicial exams.” She added that because of the strong academic environment at the university, she did not feel the need to rely on costly coaching institutes. “If your basics are clear, you can prepare on your own,” she said.
Her father, Shamim Ahmed, works as an assistant manager at the State Bank of India, while her mother, Akhtari Begum, is a homemaker. Anjum described her parents as her biggest support system. She said her preparation was entirely self-driven and disciplined. “I studied five to six hours every day with full focus,” she explained.
For the mains examination, she focused strongly on judgment writing. She regularly practised answer writing and carefully studied judgments delivered by local courts in Chhattisgarh to understand how decisions are framed. “I practised writing answers regularly. I also studied judgments from local courts in Chhattisgarh to understand how decisions are structured,” she said. She also credited her habit of reading newspapers daily for helping her during the interview stage. “Current affairs helped me respond confidently,” she added.
At home, her family ensured that her studies were never disturbed. “They made sure there was no noise while I studied. They always encouraged me, especially when I failed in the Rajasthan and Delhi judicial exams,” Anjum said. Her father said the family never allowed disappointment to take over. “We always believed in her ability. Failure is part of life. We told her not to lose hope,” he said. Her mother added, “She worked very hard day and night. We only tried to give her a calm environment.”
Before achieving success in Chhattisgarh, Anjum faced setbacks in other states. She admitted that those failures were painful but also important lessons. “Failures taught me where I was lacking,” she said. “Instead of getting upset, I improved my answer writing and strengthened my understanding of the law.” Her perseverance paid off when the results were declared and she secured the top rank in the state.
Residents in Prayagraj expressed pride in her achievement. A neighbour said, “This is a proud moment for the entire area. She has shown that with hard work, anything is possible.” A former teacher from the University of Allahabad said, “Anjum was always sincere and focused. Her success proves that strong academic grounding and discipline make a real difference.”
Now appointed as a judge, Anjum says her goal is to carry out her duties with honesty and integrity. “I want to fulfil my responsibilities towards society through the judiciary with sensitivity,” she said. “Justice should be fair and humane.” Her achievement is being seen as an inspiration, particularly for young women from minority communities who dream of entering the judiciary.
Anjum also shared advice for aspirants preparing for judicial services. She urged students to build a strong grasp of the basic language of law. She advised regular answer writing practice for the mains examination and stressed the importance of understanding how court judgments are read and written. She encouraged students to maintain a routine of five to six hours of focused study daily and not to lose heart in the face of failure. “There is no easy way,” she said. “You have to stay focused and believe in yourself.”
From the classrooms of Prayagraj to securing the top rank in Chhattisgarh, Anjum Ara’s journey reflects discipline, patience and family support. As she prepares to take her place on the bench, many young aspirants now look to her story as proof that steady effort and belief in one’s goal can turn a dream into reality.
