Bandipora Casual Labourer’s Son, Visually Impaired Youth Clears UPSC Civil Services Examination Defying severe physical and financial challenges, a visually impaired youth from Naidkhai village in the Sonawari area of Bandipora district has cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination, bringing pride and celebration to his family and the entire region. Irfan Ahmad Lone, the son of a casual labourer, secured a place in the civil services list after years of perseverance and hard work. His father, who once earned just ₹3,000 per month as a casual labourer before the wage was later increased to ₹9,000, continued to support his son’s education despite limited financial means. Irfan lost vision in one eye during childhood after a pencil accident. Over time, the sight in his other eye also deteriorated, leaving him completely visually impaired. Recognising the need for specialised education, his father enrolled him at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities in Dehradun, where he completed his schooling up to Class 12. He later pursued higher education at Hindu College under University of Delhi and completed his postgraduate studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Though he was offered an opportunity to pursue a PhD at University of Oxford, Irfan instead chose to prepare for competitive examinations. Currently working as an Assistant Administrative Officer at the Life Insurance Corporation of India in Delhi, he could not immediately visit his hometown due to financial year-end work commitments. His cousin said the village has been celebrating since the results were announced. “His father supported his education despite earning very little as a casual labourer. Today he has made not only his family proud but the entire area,” he said.