By Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: Around sixteen candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2025, with several of them already in government service. Their success marks another strong showing for the region in one of the country’s most competitive examinations.
Among the notable achievers is Mohammad Haris Mir, a resident of Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, who secured an all-India rank of 314. Haris had also qualified the examination in the previous year with a rank of 345 and was selected for the Indian Revenue Services.
A Consistent Climb
“I feel grateful and happy,” Haris said, expressing thanks to his family, friends, and to God. “All thanks to my Allah, to my parents and friends for their prayers.”
Reflecting on his earlier success, Haris noted that every aspirant dreams of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). “And so do I,” he said. “I am hopeful that there is an upgradation in the service of mine.”
He explained that service allocation depends on a candidate’s preferences and their rank. “My family and friends are very happy since this examination is very unpredictable. They always supported me and never doubted me for even once.”
Haris, who completed his law degree at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, said his academic background was deliberately chosen to align with his long-standing ambition. “I dreamt of qualifying the examination since I was a school student. That is why I opted my educational background,” he said. “I started preparing for the examination and qualified in 2023. But I continued my preparations and I was able to qualify with a better rank, this time.”
Grounded in Persistence
Haris believes that overcoming challenges during preparation requires a balance of personal time and physical activity. “According to him the best way to overcome the lows of life is to spend time with family, friends and be physically fit.”
He underscored that exam preparation is a deeply individual process. “Preparing for the examinations is an individual thing. And everyone has a different approach towards preparing for the examinations.”
He also credited his legal training as a valuable asset. “I took it as an optional subject too. In GS papers law always helps, before and after the examinations.”
Now awaiting his service allocation, Haris said he intends to support future aspirants. “In the meanwhile I will also try to guide as many aspirants as I can.”
A Rank to Remember
Another standout performer is Iram Choudhary from Rajouri, who secured an all-India rank of 40. Her position places her among the country’s top achievers in a year that saw over a thousand candidates recommended for appointments to India’s premier civil services.
Iram had previously qualified with a rank in the 800s, and her latest result reinforces her continued dedication to public service and consistent performance in one of the nation’s toughest examinations.
Several of the successful candidates are already serving in various government positions. Mohammad Muneeb Bhat, an officer in the Jammu and Kashmir Police Service (JKPS), secured rank 131. His selection reflects a growing trend among in-service officers in the region using the UPSC platform to transition into the all-India services. Babra Wani, who had earlier qualified with a rank in the 800s, has also featured in this year’s final list, reinforcing her consistent dedication to public service.
Other candidates from Jammu and Kashmir who have qualified include Akshay Parihar (rank 261), Manil Bejotra (401), Akash Gupta (reported ranks 431 and 467), Ghulam Haider (633), Sadif Malik (742), Yassar Ahmad Bhatti (768), Nazir Ahmed Bijran (847), Vishal Deep Chandan (810), Harjot Singh (948), Peerzada Umer (818), and Arshad Ahmad.
From the Union Territory of Ladakh, Rigzen Angmo and Ghulam Haider have made it to the final list, earning wide appreciation for their accomplishment in a region where aspirants face unique challenges, including limited access to resources and coaching infrastructure.
The exam continues to be one of the most competitive and prestigious in the country, with successful candidates being inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.
