INDIA
Anudeep Durishetty (pictured), from the southern Indian State of Telangana, has topped the 2017 examination for the country’s Public Service.
In a long anticipated announcement, the Union Public Service Commission announced Mr Durishetty’s achievement, saying he belonged to the Other Backward Classes Category and came from Metpally in Telangana’s Jagityal District.
In second place was Anu Kumari (from Haryana), while Sachin Gupta, also from Haryana, was third.
At a crowded media conference, Mr Durishetty said he was grateful to all those who had supported him on his journey to top spot.
“It wasn’t an easy journey, but I am happy to be here,” Mr Durishetty said.
He said it was his fifth attempt at the examination; he had earlier passed at a lower level and was, in fact, already a PS employee, working in the Revenue Service.
It is normal for previously successful candidates to try again for a higher pass, which might qualify them for the prestigious Indian Administrative Service or the Foreign Service.
Ms Kumari said she had studied up to 12 hours a day for the examination.
“This is like a dream come true; this feeling has still not sunk in,” Ms Kumari said.
“Now I want a position helping to ensure the safety of women in this country.”
She said her first preference was to be an Indian Administrative Service officer, as she would like to stay in India and serve the country.
“I want all women across India to feel safe,” Ms Kumari said.
The examination was held in June 2017 to recruit aspirants for as many as 980 posts in various Government Departments.
The announcement of results is always a huge news story in India and the leading candidates are treated as celebrities.
New Delhi, 28 April 2018
