My parents cried of happiness: UPSC 3rd topper Junaid Ahmed

New Delhi: When the news broke about his result, Junaid Ahmed, the UPSC 3rd rank holder, his parents in Nagina, Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, found it hard to believe.

"They asked me to check my roll number twice to eliminate any confusion, when I told them I double checked and I am the third topper, they were so happy, infact they couldn't hold back their tears," said Junaid Ahmed.

It took Junaid five long years to come this far. He appeared in the UPSC exam for the first time in 2014 and this year it was Junaid's fifth attempt. Last year, he cracked the exam with 352nd rank and made it as a revenue officer. Later, he decided to go for one more attempt to become an IAS officer.

His father, Javed Husain is a lawyer and mother Aisha Raza is a homemaker. His younger brother is in Class 12. Junaid, who has interest in cricket and reading books, feels that hard work and persistence finally paid off.

He says the information available on the internet contributed a lot to his success. Besides a few books suggested by seniors, that helped in creating a base, he says internet helped him a lot as everything is available online.

"I also managed my time wisely, taking out time for studies, games and gym for a balance, It was difficult earlier as I had to devote 8 to 10 hours daily but once my base was strong it became easier," Junaid said.

Last year he got 352nd rank in the civil services exams. He is currently an officer trainee in the IRS. Ahmed was staying in Jamia Milia Islamia's Residential Coaching Academy when he was chosen for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Celebrating his success, he expressed his happiness saying he would now be able to solve people's problems directly.