Ariful Islam/Guwahati

Jasmine Sultana of Guwahati, who cracked the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) to become a bureaucrat, studies the Holy Quran and the Bhagwat Gita for mental peace during her rigorous preparations for the exam.

Jasmine Sultana secured sixth position in the Assam Police Service (APS) in the latest CCE of the APSC.

Jasmine began her educational career in the Assamese medium. She did her schooling at Tarini Choudhury Govt Girls’ Higher Secondary School. Today, she holds a Master's degree in Political Science from Cotton University here. In eighth grade, it was a friend's advice that changed the course of her life -- "If you want to change society, you have to get into the system”

That very day, she set her goal to become a civil servant.

Jasmine Sultana in Akashvani studio

"I learned about the civil service when I was in Class VIII. My friend Susmita and I often sit in front of the library and talk about our society and system. She told me about the civil service examination. I learned from her that those who clear this examination can make policies.

“Susmita told me that one has to pass the civil service examination to enter the system. That very day, I resolved to take the civil service examinations,” Jasmine told Awa –The Voice during an exclusive interaction.

Jasmine chose Assamese as her medium in the examination. "Language can never be an obstacle to talent," she said. Despite the lack of proper Assamese study materials, she translated English books and made notes.

Jasmine Sultana says, "I took the exam in Assamese medium. There is no study material in Assamese. I studied English books and prepared notes in Assamese. When I took the exam for the first time, there was no one to evaluate my exam papers. Now, to improve myself, I needed someone to evaluate me. This time, Partha Sir evaluated me, so I have benefited a lot.”

Jasmine Sultana 

Jasmine Sultana started preparing for the Public Service Commission examination after the Covid lockdown. She wrote her first exam in 2023, but did not succeed. She finally succeeded in her sixth attempt.

Besides preparing for the APSC, she freelanced with Akashwani (All India Radio) and worked at the SPM IAS Academy (coaching centre). She studied at night for the examination.

Jasmine comes from a middle-class family and faced pressures typical of our society. Relatives would try to bring marriage proposals for her, and she had to wait for a long period to appear for the examination for civil service. Her only strength was her family.

She says her parents played a crucial role in keeping her dream alive.

Jasmine Sultana's two main books for finding peace of mind are the Quran and the Gita.

Jasmine Sultana at her home

"Since we live in a secular democratic country, we can read everything. It's not that we can't read the Gita if we read the Quran. Both are holy books, and both talk about the right path of life. It is very important to keep yourself mentally healthy. The Holy Quran and the Gita play a vital role in keeping oneself calm and happy.

“Since I began my APSC examination preparation during the COVID pandemic days, it has been a long journey of four years. The Quran and the Gita make me happy. All religious books teach mankind to be humane. Besides, to be a civil service officer, one has to be tolerant, and both these holy books teach us to be tolerant,” Jasmine Sultana said.

Jasmine Sultana received her primary education at Pan Bazar Adarsh Primary School. She then passed her high school and high school leaving examinations from TC Govt Girls’ Higher Secondary School. She then did her higher secondary and graduation from Cotton University.

According to Jasmine Sultana, the key to success is "discipline and consistency". She has urged the Assamese-medium students not to suffer from an inferiority complex. "It's not important how many hours you've studied for your exams. What is important is how well you've studied," she said.

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Jasmine Sultana is a ray of hope for thousands of Assamese medium students today. She has proved that if one is focused on the goal and there is courage to work hard, no obstacle can stop a person from succeeding. Her dream of changing society as a police officer is now coming true.