Adiba Anam secured Rank 142 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, becoming the first Muslim woman IAS officer from Maharashtra. Switching her optional subject from Mathematics to Urdu, she developed a strong command over the new subject, often impressing with her ability to recite couplets – a skill that gave her an edge in both the Mains written exam and the interview. In an exclusive interview with Timeline’s Uzma Parveen, Adiba shares several valuable and lesser-known tips for aspirants choosing Urdu as their optional in the UPSC Mains.