Visually challenged youth from Kerala clears civil services exam in first attempt

Despite living with total vision impairment, the 23-year-old has never let it create a roadblock in his path to success. And when news came that he had found a place in the civil services rank list, the youth from Thiruvananthapuram was clearly overjoyed as it was his very first attempt.

Thiruvananthapuram: Braving all odds, a visually challenged youth from Kerala is among those who cleared civil services examination, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.

A native of Thiruvananthapuram, Gokul S, who was born blind bagged 804th rank in his first attempt in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) civil services examination, challenging his own limitations. Lack of vision could not deter the 23-year-old from clearing the exam and has never let it create a roadblock in his path to success.

Despite being visually challenged, Gokul, who was pursuing PhD in English language and literature from Mar Ivanios College, has always been good in academics and studies right from his childhood.

While working towards achieving his dream and acing UPSC since 2008, the 23-year-old, who turned limitations into opportunities and eventually into success, now wishes to do more for the welfare and upliftment of visually impaired people.

His father Suresh Kumar, an officer with the NCC Directorate, and his mother Shobha, a teacher, are overwhelmed by their son’s success in Civil Services.

Along with preparation for the examination with the Hotspot IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, he taught other UPSC aspirants. Gokul said his first choice was Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and second Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and he may think about a second attempt if he did not get desired allotment.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all candidates who successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination 2019. For those who couldn't crack the exam, he said the life is full of several opportunities and wished them luck for their future endeavours.

UPSC announced the results of the Civil Services Examination 2019 earlier today. All 829 selected candidates will be appointed to IAS, IFS, Indian Police Service (IPS), and Central Services, Group 'A' and Group 'B'.

Pradeep Singh topped the examination followed by Jatin Kishore and Pratibha Verma. The candidature of 66 recommended candidates is 'provisional' while the result of 11 candidates has been 'withheld', stated the press note issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The result of the Civil Services Examination, 2019 is subject to changes, if any, that may be necessitated by the orders that may be passed by the Courts in matters pending before them, it added.