PM Narendra Modi congratulates successful UPSC candidates

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the successful candidates of civil services examination and advised those who could not make it that they should not be deterred from future endeavours.

"Congratulations to all those who successfully cleared the Civil Services Exam and my best wishes as you begin the journey to serve the nation," he tweeted.

"To those who didn't clear the exam - such moments are a part of life. This must not deter you from your future endeavours. My best wishes," Modi added.

A total number of 1,236 candidates, including 590 in General category, 354 belonging to Other Backward Class, 194 from Scheduled Caste and 98 from Scheduled Tribe, have been recommended for appointment to various central government services, the UPSC said.

Delhi-based Ira Singhal became the first physically-handicapped woman to top the civil services examination in which the top four positions were scooped by women.