More than the hard work of Irfan Ahmed Lone, a visually challenged person from Bandipora, Kashmir, who cleared the UPSC examination for the Indian Civil Services as a blind candidate with 957th rank, his father’s vision and ambition contributed to his success.
His father was a casual worker with the local government department, earning Rs 3,000, when he decided to admit his son into the Government-run National Institute for the Visually Impaired, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
“Back then, it was a very bold decision, more so when he was hard pressed for money,” A neighbour told the visiting media persons who swarmed at the family’s house in Manzpora, Naidkhai, Bandipora after the news broke out.
Irfan Ahmed Lone with reporter Danish Ali
Today, Irfan’s father earns about Rs 9000, and for this reason, his son worked soon after his studies while continuing to prepare for the UPSC examinations.
Irfan’s biggest test in life began at the age of five when, in two freak accidents, he lost his eyesight and was declared 100 per cent blind.
As if this wasn’t enough, he lost his mother to a brain haemorrhage, soon after. This devastating phase deeply affected his family, but instead of giving up, they chose to fight back.
Irfan’s father enrolled him in a special school in Dehradun for visually-impaired students. There, Irfan not only received an education but also developed a positive outlook on life.
In 2016, he passed his 12th grade with 91% marks. This proved to be the turning point in his life. He secured admission to Hindu College, Delhi University, where he pursued Political Science. Later, he completed his post-graduation in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
source: youtube.com
Irfan
Irfan worked with Punjab National Bank to make ends meet. Later, he was selected as an Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) with the Life Insurance Corporation of India. Though he changed jobs, he continued his preparations for the UPSC examination.- Assistant Administrative Officer –
By clearing the UPSC examination, Irfan Lone also brought pride to his district, Bandipora, as he became the first one from the areas that are closer to the Line of Control with Pakistan and are considered backward.
His success has fueled many a dream across India, and especially in Kashmir.
Irfan believes that success requires not just hard work but also smart strategy. He advises young aspirants to avoid distractions like social media to stay focused. According to him, strong determination and consistency are the keys to success.
He often motivates others through poetry:
I cannot stop now,
I still have miles to go,
Through storms and scorching sun,
I must keep moving forward.
Irfan credits his father for his success. He says his father has been the biggest pillar, providing him with much-needed strength. He says his father denied all comforts of life and prioritised his children’s education. His siblings also stood by him.
Ifran’s message to the youth is: Reaching great heights is not the real achievement, Staying there is true success.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Danish Ali / March 24th, 2026
As many as 53 Muslims figured in the list of 958 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2025 exams results of which was declared by the UPSC Friday March 06, 2026.
UPSC Civil Services Result 2025:
As many as 53 Muslims figured in the list of 958 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2025 exams results of which was declared by the UPSC Friday March 06, 2026.
As many as 04 Muslims – A R Rajah Mohaideen, Ifra Shams Ansari, Nabiya Parvez and Hassan Khan, figured in the coveted list of Top 100.
The result of Muslims in the Civil Services 2025 exams has improved as compared to the last year when only 26 Muslims had made to the final list.
List of Muslim Toppers with Ranks
1. 7 – 0818306 – A R Rajah Mohaideen 2. 24 – 6409132 – Ifra Shams Ansari 3. 29 – 0806993 – Nabiya Parvez 4. 95 – 0807895 – Hassan Khan 5. 124 – 0323682 – Arfa Usmani 6. 135 – 0607625 – Khan Saima Seraj Ahmed 7. 157 – 0851961 – Wasim Ur Rahman 8. 253 – 0413785 – Sophia Siddiqui 9. 254 – 1801309 – Towseef Ahmad Ganaie 10. 307 – 0830255 – Mantasha 11. 321 – 5811575 – Asad Aqeel 12. 354 – 4116180 – Md Ishteyaque Rahman 13. 382 – 6315003 – Mohammed Ashmil Shah 14. 411 – 1201049 – Shahida Begum S 15. 415 – 0841896 – Shadab Ali Khan 16. 429 – 1412531 – Muhammed Swalah T A 17. 455 – 6303619 – Shoiab 18. 478 – 6408494 – Nazia Parween 19. 485 – 1210110 – Sheik Mohamed Habisudeen S 20. 497 – 1912530 – Sheik Mohamed Nishath M 21. 513 – 5404215 – Minhaj Shakeel 22. 535 – 2105608 – Gulfiza 23. 549 – 6418492 – Hashmi Mohammad Umar 24. 575 – 0864413 – Sharukh Khan 25. 576 – 1907730 – Asna Anwar 26. 581 – 1804448 – Muneeb Afzal Parrah 27. 588 – 6405397 – Azeem Ahmad 28. 614 – 6421470 – Saista Parwin 29. 625 – 8003085 – Noor Alam 30. 646 – 6408831 – Mohd Irfan Kayamkhani 31. 648 – 2602406 – Mohsina Bano 32. 663 – 3402501 – Ghulam Maya Din 33. 665 – 2626864 – Danish Rabbani Khan 34. 668 – 5803808 – Md Nayab Anjum 35. 671 – 6407027 – Mohd Abuzar Ansari 36. 678 – 1139935 – Insa Khan 37. 695 – 5703524 – Abdul Sufiyan K 38. 708 – 2402117 – Fairuz Fathima M 39. 713 – 1904976 – Mohamed Hashim K 40. 718 – 1902416 – Muhammed Suhail 41. 741 – 0328051 – Thousif Ulla Khan 42. 763 – 3403061 – Koh E Safa 43. 764 – 0619109 – Sana Azmi 44. 773 – 4002952 – Reshma M 45. 811 – 3409679 – Yassar Ahmed Bhatti 46. 832 – 3401291 – Ghulam Haider 47. 860 – 1913151 – Mohamed Shezin C P 48. 869 – 3402386 – Mohd Ajaz Ul Rehman 49. 886 – 1804050 – Azhar Asif Khan 50. 936 – 3409886 – Mohd Sarfraz Choudhary 51. 942 – 1224289 – Abdulla Afridh A 52. 955 – 8001862 – Md Shahid Raza Khan 53. 957 – 0869957 – Irfan Ahmed Lone 54 and 55. It now turned out that there are also “Jahana Sareen V P” – having roll number 5702338 and All India Rank 511, and Shiyad, having roll number 1907064 and rank 743, should also be included in the list.
(Disclaimer: The UPSC does not reveal the religious identity of candidates. The above list has been compiled based on the names of candidates as mentioned in the UPSC Main result released by the Commission. Few names are Muslim sounding but are also used by people belonging to more than one religion. Accrodingly, this list is not final. Also some names might have been missing from the list, or if included, they might not be necessarily a Muslim.
UPSC Civil Services Toppers
The UPSC declared the list of UPSC CSE Toppers based on the result of the written part of Civil Services Examination, 2025 held by the Union Public Service Commission in August, 2025 and the interviews for Personality Test held in December, 2025 – February, 2026.
Anuj Agnihotri has secured All India Rank 1 (AIR 1), and is UPSC Civil Services 2025 All India Topper. Rajeshwari Suve M has bagged the All India Rank 2 (AIR2) and Akansh Dhull has secured the 3rd position (AIR3).
The toppers have been recommended for various Civil Services posts including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.
Of the total 958 CSE Toppers 2025, 317 are General candidates, 104 EWS, 306 OBC, 158 SC, and 73 ST.
Performance of Muslims in Civil Services Since 2009
In 2024, a total of 26 Muslims figured in the list of 1,009 candidates who emerged toppers in the Civil Services 2024 exams result of which was declared by the UPSC on April 22, 2025.
In 2023, a total of 1,016 candidates were recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for different Civil Services posts. Of them 51 were Muslims.
In 2022, a total number of 933 candidates were recommended for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other civil services posts. Of them 30 were Muslims.
In 2021, a total of 685 were recommended in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 Merit List. Of them, 21 were Muslims. This was the worst performance of Muslim candidates in a decade.
On ther hand, a total of 31 Muslims had cracked the Civil Services Exam (CSE), also known as IAS exam, in 2020 when UPSC had recommended 761 candidates for the top CS posts.
In 2019, 42 Muslims had cracked the exam whereas in 2018 just 27 Muslims had made it to the final result.
The years 2016 and 2017 were the brightest period for Muslim candidates. In 2016, 52 Muslims figured in the list of successful candidates whereas in 2017 their tally was 50.
In 2015, 34 Muslims were among the 1,078 candidates recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) whereas 38 Muslims were in the list of total 1,236 candidates in 2014.
In 2013, a total of 34 Muslims had cleared the exam, whereas in 2012, 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates, four of them were among top 100.
Similarly in 2012, 30 Muslims were among the successful candidates and in 2011, 31 Muslims were among the 920 selected for the civil services.
Likewise, in 2010 among the 875 successful candidates 21 were Muslims with Dr. Shah Faisal of Kashmir topping the exam at the national level.
In 2009, a total of 31 Muslims were in the list of 791 successful candidates.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / March 09th, 2026
