‘I Want to Contribute to the Education Sector’ Says UPSC Topper

Nandini is the second woman from Karnataka to top the UPSC exams 16 years after Vijayalakshmi Bidari did in 2001. (Photo: ANI Screengrab)

Nandini KR of Karnataka bagged the top rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) 2016 examination, followed by Anmol Sher Singh Bedi and Gopalakrishna Ronanki, at second and third place, a statement from the Commission said on Wednesday.

Upon securing the top score, Nandini said that she wants to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to serve the people of India, rather than become a diplomat.

The 26-year-old Kolar girl who cracked the exam in her fourth attempt, also dreams of contributing to the country’s education sector.

I want to join IAS and not IFS (Indian Foreign Service), as I want to be in India and serve the people. Though challenging, I will get an opportunity to learn and work for the people.

Nandini KR, UPSC topper 

A probationary officer with the Revenue Department in the Union Finance Ministry, Nandini has been with the ministry since she was selected in 2015 under the Indian Revenue Services (IRS) category.

Incidentally, Nandini is the second woman from the southern state to top the UPSC exams 16 years after Vijayalakshmi Bidari did in 2001.

The declaration of the UPSC results on Wednesday saw several other success stories being penned in various parts of the country. The tenth rank holder Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat belongs to the remote border district of Handwara in North Kashmir, which has been strife with violence over the last month.

Praising his success, former CM Omar Abdullah tweeted:

Similarly, Namrata Jain, the 99th rank holder, hails from the naxal-affected Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. Elated with her success, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh tweeted:

As many as 11,35,943 candidates had applied for the examination, out of which 4,59,659 candidates actually appeared. A total of 15,452 candidates qualified for the mains examination held in December 2016.

Of these, 2,961 candidates qualified for the personality test or interview conducted in March-May.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)