Srinagar, March 7 Jammu and Kashmir celebrated a moment of pride as a visually impaired JNU graduate, the son of a labourer, and a serving JKAS officer passed the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination-2025, showcasing determination and inspiring many.
Irfan Ahmad Lone, who lost his eye in an accident at school during his early childhood, never let the impairment hinder his progress.
Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of north Kashmir, secured the 957th All India Rank (AIR), bringing pride and celebration to the frontier district.
Lone completed his schooling at the National Institute for the Empowerment of the Persons with Visual Disabilities in Dehradun. He then graduated from Delhi University's Hindu College and studied Political Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
He passed the probationary officer examination of the Punjab National Bank and is currently working as an assistant administrative officer in the Life Insurance Corporation.
His success has not only been appreciated by people in the district, but has also inspired young people. Lone's friends, family, and neighbors say his success reflects his years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
"His journey shows that with determination and focus, even the most challenging goals can be achieved," said Lone's cousin, Feroz Ahmad, as people gathered to congratulate the family.
One of Lone's neighbors said that Lone's father, who worked as a casual labourer, never let the family's financial condition affect his son's education.
Shabia, Lone's younger sister, said that the family always believed in him.
"I congratulate him on this great success. I always believed that he would succeed in this exam. I could see him working very hard for it. He was also managing his job, but he was very dedicated and hardworking," Shabia said.
She added that Lone has not only made the family proud, but has also made the entire district proud.
"This is a very proud moment for all of us, and he is an inspiration for all of us," she added.
From the north to the south of Kashmir, another candidate, Towseef Ahmad Ganie from Puchal area of Pulwama district, is among the 16 from J-K who qualified the UPSC examination.
Ganie, the son of a labourer, overcame numerous hardships and financial struggles to achieve this milestone.
Despite limited resources, his determination, hard work, and dedication to studies helped him achieve one of the most difficult goals in the country.
Ganie, a veterinarian stationed in Poonch in the Jammu region for the last two years, passed the examination on his second attempt and secured the 254th AIR.
His father, Mohammad Ishaq, said that Ganie always topped his classes and had a dream of achieving something big.
"After completing his Bachelor's in Veterinary Science, Ganie said he would prepare for the IAS exams, even though he was aware that it would incur significant expenses," Ishaq stated.
Reflecting on his own journey to support his family, Ishaq said he also worked as a labourer in the Jammu region.
"I sold my land to support my children's education. I am grateful to God that my hard work and sacrifices have paid off," he said, adding that his phone has been ringing constantly as people congratulate the family.
Another candidate from south Kashmir, Muneeb Parrah, who is currently serving as a JKAS officer, secured the 581st AIR.
Parrah is a resident of Kandigam village in Bijbehara, Anantnag district.
His elder brother, Irfan, said that it was a moment of pride and joy for the family.
"He was already working as a JKAS officer. This was his second attempt at the IAS exam, and he passed. It is a great moment for all of us," Irfan said.
He added that what matters in life is hard work, passion, and commitment.
"That is what fundamentally counts. We are all happy, the family, the people of the area, and it is a moment to enjoy collectively. Education is the main channel through which you can change your future and contribute to nation-building," he added.
Local residents, civil society members, and his well-wishers congratulated the family for this remarkable achievement.
A total of 16 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir – the highest number from the region – have qualified the examination, the results of which were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday.
Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate from AIIMS, Jodhpur, topped the civil services exam.
Rajeshwari Suve M, who holds the second rank, has a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, while Akansh Dhull, who has a BCom degree from the University of Delhi, has secured the third rank.