Tasneem Kawoos, a resident of Srinagar, has brought immense pride to herself and her family by achieving a remarkable feat. Her journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for many aspiring students. Recently Tasneem secured the top position in the prestigious J&K Civil Services (Judicial) Examination, 2023, in her very first attempt.
Administered by the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), the exam results were announced last week. Out of 208 candidates who qualified for the interview, 69 candidates finally made the cut. Tasneem emerged as the front-runner, scoring an impressive 628 marks in the open merit category.
Educational background:
“In 11th and 12th grade, I chose humanities subjects, which was a somewhat unconventional decision considering my family background in medicine; both my sisters are doctors. Despite their encouragement to pursue a medical or non-medical path, my family was incredibly supportive. They never imposed their choices on me; instead, they urged me to follow my interests,” she said.
“After completing 12th grade, I was contemplating my next steps when my father stepped in with valuable advice. He suggested that I pursue law, citing my potential and aptitude for the field,” she recalled.
“When I began exploring law colleges, I conducted thorough research and eventually settled in Aligarh Muslim University as my destination,” she recounted.
Tasneem’s educational journey is marked by consistent excellence. She excelled in her 10th class examination from the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) in 2014, securing over 90 percent marks. In 2016, she continued her streak of success by achieving outstanding results in her 12th-grade examinations.
In 2017, Tasneem demonstrated her academic prowess once again by acing the entrance examination for the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). She secured admission to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BA LLB) program, a five-year integrated course in Law, where she topped the entrance examination.
Aligarh offered her a serene environment conducive to focused studying with excellent mentors and diligent people around. “ The teachers are excellent, and the overall atmosphere is conducive to academic pursuits. It’s a distinct environment where scholarly endeavors thrive. At AMU, I experienced tremendous exposure and could efficiently utilize my time,” Tasneem said. “By the first year, I had already made up my mind to pursue a career in Judiciary, influenced by the guidance of our seniors and the tradition of producing successful Judiciary qualifiers at AMU.”
While cooperative Law programs were available, Tasneem preferred to stay close to home, making Judiciary the ideal choice for her. Currently, Tasneem is pursuing her Master’s degree in Law (LLM) from AMU. Last year only she appeared for KCS prelims and as the interview was conducted she bagged top spot.
Idealising the Goal:
“As a lawyer, we possess the ability to persuade or convince the court, yet lack the decision-making authority. However, transitioning to the other side of the bench offers a fresh perspective, one of independence and decision-making, which is a significant and positive shift,” she said.
For aspiring candidates, Tasneem has a crucial message: “In any PSC examination, whether it’s for Prosecuting Officer (PO) or KCS (Judicial), I’ve noticed a distinct shift in trends. Previous exams, like the Judiciary exam of 2018-19, had a more theoretical pattern with some analytical elements. However, the current trend leans heavily towards analytical aspects, necessitating continuous updates. Legal judgments evolve, overturning previous precedents, so staying informed and updated is crucial”, she said.
Tasneem advises against lengthy answers, advocating for concise yet comprehensive responses. “In the past, candidates often attempted to impress examiners with lengthy answers. However, conveying your points effectively and incorporating relevant judgments instills greater confidence,” she said.
Her own success as a fresh law graduate in the KCS journey serves as a testament to debunking the myth that freshers cannot qualify. “In the KCS exam, candidates have the flexibility to choose optional subjects. While some may get bogged down by this decision, it’s essential to prioritize preparation over such concerns. Confidence and dedication matter most in the long run,” she added.
Sharida Rashid, a final year student at AMU and her friend, said that Tasneem’s success was inevitable due to her hard work and dedication. She attributed her recent achievement as the culmination of years of diligent work and study.
“It’s always uplifting to witness someone in your circle achieve success,” Sharida commented. “It instills hope in us to pursue our own goals and ensures that our aspirations are realized.”
