| Shah Faesal, a Kashmiri Muslim, topped the UPSC Examination in 2009, making history. |
| He hails from Sheikh Nar Village in Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir. |
| Tragically, Faesal lost his father to militants at a young age. |
| His father's refusal to shelter militants led to his untimely death. |
| Faesal received his education in Urdu at a government school in Kupwara. |
| His father taught him English and Mathematics at school. |
| After his father's death, Faesal's family relocated to Srinagar. |
| Following his schooling, Faesal pursued MBBS at Sher-i-Kashmir Medical College in Srinagar. |
| He transitioned into RTI activism in Srinagar post-MBBS, gaining local popularity. |
| Inspired during his activism, Faesal aimed for Civil Services to serve at a larger scale. |
| He drew inspiration from IPS Officer Abdul Gani Mir from Kupwara. |
| Faesal prepared for UPSC without coaching in just one month. |
| Opting to stay in Srinagar, Faesal prepared for UPSC without going to Delhi. |
| His success in UPSC made him a notable figure in Kashmir and beyond. |
| Becoming a top UPSC achiever, Faesal motivated many aspiring civil servants. |
| He served as the Deputy Commissioner in Bandipora District, Kashmir. |
| In 2019, Faesal resigned from IAS to protest killings in Kashmir and government response. |
| He criticized the government for undermining institutions and urged corrective action. |
| Faesal established the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement party in 2019. |
| He was detained after opposing the removal of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. |
| In April 2022, Faesal was reinstated by the central government, signaling a return to service. |
