IRS officer from Haryana tops civil services exam | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: IRS (customs) officer Pradeep Singh of Haryana, the son of a farmer, ranked first while UP’s Pratibha Verma, an income tax officer, topped among women on the list of 829 candidates who qualified in the Civil Services Examination 2019, the results of which were announced by UPSC on Tuesday. Jatin Kishore of Delhi, who bagged the second rank, is a 2018 batch officer of Indian Economic Service (IES).
“I did not expect that I would get first rank. It is like a dream come true. It is a pleasant surprise for me. I always wanted to be an IAS officer. I would like to work for the deprived sections of society,” Pradeep Singh, 29, was quoted by PTI as saying from his home in Sonepat.
Singh, who had got 260th rank in the 2018 exam, made it to the top in his fourth attempt. Soon after the results, he said his main emphasis would be on improving education and farm sectors. “I am happy that I will now get the chance to work for my state,” said Singh.
Second-rank holder Kishore, currently posted as assistant director in the ministry of rural development, said education and environment would be his areas of focus.
Pratibha Verma, who hails from Sultanpur in UP, said, “I was inspired by the way IAS officers act as the first responder at the time of any crisis. They are always on the frontline at the time of difficult situations. That is why I decided to prepare again for the exam (after getting selected in the IRS).”
“I would like to work for women empowerment and children-related issues, especially in my home state Uttar Pradesh,” she said.
A graduate from IIT-Delhi, Pratibha worked in a private firm for two years before starting preparations for civil services in 2016. Her father, who taught English in a government intermeduate college, retired a few months ago while mother is a teacher in a government school in Sultanpur.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Congratulations to all the bright youngsters who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2019. An exciting and satisfying career of public service awaits you. My best wishes.” For those who did not get the desired result in the examination, he said: “I would like to tell them — life is full of several opportunities. Each and every one of you is hard-working and diligent. Best wishes for all your future endeavours.”
Congratulating topper Singh, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar hoped his success will inspire the youth of the state. “My heartiest congratulations to Haryana’s son Pradeep for getting first rank … I hope that other youths of the state will also take inspiration from you to achieve higher goals.” he tweeted.
Vishakha Yadav, daughter of an ASI of Delhi Police, secured the sixth spot. “ASI Rajkumar works in the Personnel Section of DCP Office, Dwarka Distt. and the Delhi Police family celebrates this joyous occasion. You have made us all proud Vishakha!,” tweeted DCP Dwarka.
“It has been a daunting journey. It was my second attempt. I could not pass the prelims in 2018 … “I hope many people will be inspired by my success,” Nadia Beigh said.
Of the total qualified candidates, 304 are from General category, 78 from economically weaker section (EWS), 251 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 129 from Scheduled Castes (SC) and 67 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
A total of 182 other candidates have been put in the reserve list, UPSC said. The selection has been made against 927 vacancies reported by the government. “The result of 11 candidates has been kept withheld,” it said.