Jameela Shines Bright: The Sole Malayali Selected for IES 2023!

“Why is India persistently ranked low on the World Happiness Index? Despite increasing levels of consumption, happiness does not appear to follow suit. Nevertheless, a nation’s economic advancement relies on consistent consumption. How can we resolve this contradiction?”

These were merely a few of the thought-provoking inquiries directed at Al Jameela during her interview for this year’s Indian Economic Service (IES) assessment. Reflecting on the moment, she remembers feeling truly exhilarated after the captivating half-hour discussion. Upon the announcement of the results, Al Jameela stood out as the only Malayali on the rank list, achieving the 12th position.

Originating from Nedumkunnam in Kottayam, Al Jameela’s educational path began with an Integrated MA program in Economics at the University of Hyderabad after finishing her higher secondary studies. After completing three years of undergraduate education there, she transferred to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi for her MA in Economics at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning.

During her tenure at JNU, she successfully cleared the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and GATE examinations on her first try. Upon earning her MA in 2022, she re-registered at JNU to pursue a PhD program.

Though Al Jameela initially enrolled in a coaching program for the IES examination right after her post-graduation, she opted to discontinue it in favor of concentrating on her doctoral research. She also refrained from sitting for the examination due to her academic responsibilities.

Independent Preparation
Once her PhD work became sufficiently manageable, Al Jameela commenced her preparations for the IES examination this year. Initiating her studies in March, she juggled the stringent demands of the exam alongside her ongoing doctoral research. In spite of the busy schedule, her determination bore fruit, enabling her to attain a high rank on her inaugural attempt.

Al Jameela predominantly depended on self-study but enhanced her preparation by participating in mock exam series provided by various coaching institutes. She also consulted senior IPS officer Alexander Jacob while drafting her comprehensive bio-data for the interview. Moreover, help was provided by individuals such as Dr. Ratheesh Krishnan, an assistant professor at the Nedumangad Government College, who conducted mock interviews on her behalf. Dr. N Jayaraj MLA, the legislator of Kanjirappally holding a doctorate in economics, also shared valuable insights.

At JNU, Al Jameela is working on her PhD in behavioral economics under Prof. Sujoy Chakravarthy. In her bio-data submitted to the interview panel, she highlighted her extensive readings on this topic. It is likely due to this focus that the majority of the questions during her IES interview revolved around behavioral economics.

Kerala is progressing
If scholarly reading and analytical thinking are fundamental to a PhD program, preparing for the IES examination demands a comprehensive study of various subjects. The prevailing counsel for IES candidates is to ideally take a hiatus of at least a year for thorough preparation.

The economics curriculum at JNU and Hyderabad universities strongly emphasizes econometrics and mathematics (statistics). Al Jameela notes that Kerala’s academic syllabus has started to reflect these modifications, which will undoubtedly benefit students preparing for national-level examinations.

Beyond Education
Al Jameela’s journey has been influenced by much more than just academics. She actively participated in debate and elocution competitions during her school years, demonstrating her oratory talents in both English and Malayalam. She received accolades at the Dr. P C Alexander Memorial State Elocution Competition, securing prizes in the senior category.

Her leadership skills were also evident during her term as the president of the Balajana Sakhyam. At the CBSE State Youth Festival, she further showcased her abilities by winning first place in both Malayalam elocution and essay writing.

Al Jameela attributes her achievements to the steadfast support of her mother, C A Ajitha Salam, who serves as a Deputy Commissioner within the Ponkunnam Audit Division of the GST Department.