Zainab Sayeed, a Kolkata resident, has secured highest marks 220 out of 275 in UPSC interview in the past eight years.
Since 2014, no candidate has matched Zainab’s remarkable achievement in the interview. In the 2021 UPSC Civil Services Exam, Ashutosh Kumar and Kiran PB both scored 206 in the interview. Additionally, Apala Mishra, who secured the ninth position in the 2020 UPSC Civil Services Exam, received a score of 215 during her interview. In the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Exam, IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh scored 173 marks in the personality test.
Zainab secured 107th rank in the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Examination. Zainab’s path to success wasn’t easy; she faced several obstacles, including failing the preliminary exams in her earlier attempts. However, her persistence paid off, and she succeeded on her third try. During her interview, Zainab impressed the panel with her knowledge and confidence, covering a range of topics like current affairs and international relations. She also shared her preference for Kolkata’s lively culture over Delhi’s.
When asked about the author of a specific poem, she openly admitted that she didn’t know the answer, highlighting her honesty and sincerity. Zainab graduated with a degree in English literature from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and later completed a postgraduate degree in mass communication from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. After finishing her studies, she devoted herself to preparing for the UPSC exams, and through dedication and hard work, she achieved her remarkable success.
