Calicut, March 6, 2026 – Some victories are seen with the eyes, but Jaseela’s is one that truly fills the heart. Defying all odds and turning her personal challenge into an inspiration for differently-abled UPSC aspirants, visually impaired 30-year-old Jaseela Jannath P from Vadakara, Calicut, has secured the 397th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
This marks Jaseela’s fourth attempt at the exam. Her optional subject, Sociology, reflects her deep passion for social issues, honed through her M.A. in Social Work with a Women-Centred Practice specialisation from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Prior to focusing on her UPSC preparation, Jaseela worked as a Project Associate at Prajaahita Foundation in Kozhikode from July 2021 to March 2022, contributing to community development initiatives.
Jaseela credits much of her success to the one-year UPSC preparation journey covering Prelims, Mains, and interview guidance at Xylem IAS, where she joined the civil services batch in March 2025. Speaking about her learning approach, Jaseela relied on audio-based learning methods, voice-to-text tools, and peer-led discussions to navigate and master the vast syllabus.
“Blindness tested me, but it never defined me. With the right support, including personalised mentorship, innovative tech-aided learning modules, and a supportive community, I was able to crack it,” she said. Looking ahead, Jaseela aspires to serve and empower people facing challenges similar to her own.
Apart from her academic pursuits, she has also established herself as an eloquent public speaker and secured A grades in Mimicry, Vanchippattu (boat song), Folk Song, and Malayalam Recitation at school youth festivals.
Jaseela is the daughter of the late Kunhabdulla P and homemaker Sainaba.
Including Jaseela, a total of 29 students from Xylem IAS have secured ranks in the examination.