Karkala truck driver’s son Muhammad Shaukat Azeem secures 345th Rank in UPSC
Mangalore: In a story of perseverance and determination, Muhammad Shaukat Azeem, the son of a truck driver from Jarigudda in Kasaba village near Karkala, has secured the 345th rank in the prestigious Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) this year.
Azeem’s success is not just personal—it is the realization of a long-cherished dream nurtured by his family, especially his mother. “I was a small boy when a Puneeth Rajkumar film was playing on television. In it, he played an IAS officer. My mother looked at me and asked, ‘Will you also become an IAS officer when you grow up?’ I didn’t even know what that meant back then, but I wanted to fulfill her wish,” Azeem recalled, speaking to Vartha Bharati after the results were announced.
The only son of Sheikh Abdullah, a truck driver, and Maimuna, a beedi worker, Azeem has faced many hurdles on his path to success. The family lives in a rented house, and despite efforts, they have been unable to build their own home. “My parents never let me feel the burden of our struggles. My father always gave me money for my needs with a smile, even when it was difficult. My mother constantly motivated me,” he said with gratitude.
A multilingual achiever fluent in Beary, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English, Azeem completed his primary education at a local Urdu school before moving on to high school, PUC, and later a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.
He credits his modest academic beginnings and family struggles as the foundation for his determination. After scoring 92% in SSLC and 74% in PUC, Azeem said his mother’s words continued to push him toward his goal. During financially tough times, help came in the form of Karkala-based businessman K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed, who supported Azeem’s educational journey. “He ensured I did not stop my education for lack of funds. His support was a turning point,” Azeem said.
To prepare for the UPSC exam, Azeem joined the reputed Hundred Study Circle in Delhi, where he also worked alongside his training. His first success came in the 2022 UPSC exams, when he was selected for the Indian Defence Audit Service and posted in Pune. Not content with that, he continued his preparation and has now achieved an even higher rank in the 2024 results, increasing the likelihood of an IAS posting.
“I may have studied hard, but this achievement belongs to my parents and everyone who stood by me. I only hope to serve the country with honesty and dedication,” Azeem said, expressing happiness over fulfilling his mother’s dream.
With his inspiring journey from a humble background to the doorstep of the Indian Administrative Service, Muhammad Shaukat Azeem stands as a shining example of how dreams, when combined with dedication and the right support, can come true.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
