In the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, where daily life moves quietly through tightly packed homes and crowded streets, a small DDA flat on Mata Sindhi Road recently became the centre of celebration.
The reason was Nabiya Parvez, who secured All India Rank 29 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.
For the residents of the neighbourhood, her success felt deeply personal. As word spread, people spoke with pride about how a girl from their locality had reached one of the most prestigious positions in the country.
The moment carried special significance for her family as well. What was once an ordinary home had suddenly become a symbol of hope and achievement for the entire area.
ROOTS IN A MODEST FAMILY
Nabiya Parvez was born on January 21, 1999, and comes from Dariyapur Jaka village in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Her father works as a farmer, and she grew up in a simple household where education was seen as the most powerful path to progress.
Her upbringing in a rural environment shaped her perspective early in life. Access to elite educational infrastructure was limited, but the desire to pursue higher education remained strong.
Stories like hers often highlight an important reality of India: talent exists everywhere, even in small villages, but opportunities and guidance are not always equally available.
Despite these challenges, Nabiya carried forward the ambition to study, learn, and eventually serve in public administration.
ACADEMIC PATH AND THE TURNING POINT
Nabiya pursued her undergraduate education in Architecture, completing a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.
During her years at Jamia, her exposure to discussions around governance, policy, and public administration gradually shaped a new ambition. It was during this time that she began seriously considering the civil services as a career.
Her preparation later received support from the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) at Jamia Millia Islamia, an institution known for guiding aspirants from diverse backgrounds toward the UPSC examination.
A LONG AND CHALLENGING UPSC JOURNEY
The path to success was neither quick nor easy. Nabiya’s UPSC preparation stretched across several years and five attempts, each bringing its own emotional and academic challenges.
In the early stages of preparation, she struggled because she lacked guidance and a structured support system. Without mentors to consult or experienced candidates to guide her, many aspects of the preparation process had to be understood independently.
Over time, however, she began to develop her own strategy. Each unsuccessful attempt became a learning phase where she analyzed mistakes, identified weak areas, and worked on improving them.
At one point she missed success by just a few marks, a moment that forced her to rethink her preparation even more deeply.
Instead of abandoning the journey, she used every setback as an opportunity to refine her approach.
MINDSET THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
One of the defining features of Nabiya’s preparation was the way she approached failure. Rather than blaming the exam pattern or external factors, she consistently focused on understanding what improvements were required from her side. This mindset gradually strengthened her preparation.
When she approached her final attempt, her strategy revolved around strengthening weak areas while further improving her existing strengths.
This focus on continuous improvement eventually resulted in her securing AIR 29 in UPSC CSE 2025, placing her among the top candidates in the country.
A FATHER’S SUPPORT BEHIND THE DREAM
An important part of Nabiya’s journey was the support she received from her family, especially her father.
Initially, he had hoped that his daughter would pursue medicine. Nabiya even appeared for the NEET examination and qualified, but she eventually decided not to continue in that field because her interest lay elsewhere.
When she expressed her desire to pursue civil services instead, her father chose to support her decision. That support became a crucial pillar during the long years of preparation, when uncertainty and pressure are common for many aspirants.
Her family’s encouragement helped create the environment necessary for sustained preparation and focus.
A VOICE FOR GIRLS AND THEIR ASPIRATIONS
Nabiya’s story carries an important message for young girls who aspire to pursue ambitious careers.
She believes that the first step toward any goal is clarity about one’s own aspirations. Many students often follow paths chosen by others, but identifying personal goals is essential.
She also highlights the role of families in nurturing those aspirations. Comparing children with others or discouraging them from pursuing their interests can undermine confidence.
Instead, listening to children and supporting their ambitions can make a meaningful difference in their journey.
A MOMENT OF PRIDE BEYOND ONE FAMILY
Nabiya’s achievement is not just a personal milestone. It has also become a moment of pride for her community and for many who see representation and opportunity expanding across different sections of society.
Such achievements highlight the increasing participation of young women from diverse backgrounds in India’s most competitive examination.
For residents of Old Delhi and her hometown in Bulandshahr, Nabiya’s success reflects the power of education and persistence.
WHEN PERSISTENCE MEETS OPPORTUNITY
From a rural background in Uttar Pradesh to academic life in Delhi, and from years of uncertainty to a top rank in one of the toughest examinations in the country, Nabiya Parvez’s journey reflects the possibilities that open when effort continues despite setbacks.
Her story now travels far beyond the streets where it began, reaching students across the country who see in it a reminder that dreams often grow quietly before they finally take shape.
