'Patience, focus, discipline' my success mantra, says UPSC topper

Tina Dabi, the Delhi girl, who has topped the Civil Services Examination 2015, on Tuesday, said she was sure about being shortlisted but securing the number one spot was something beyond her dreams.

Dabi also said the secret mantra of her success for hard work, patience, focus, discipline and family support.

"I am surprised but at the same time happy and very ecstatic. I did believe that I would make it to the list but being number one is something of my dreams. The secret formula to my success is a lot of hard work, lots of patience and being blessed with a very hardworking mother," Dabi told ANI.

Topping the list in her first attempt, the 22-year-old girl, who graduated from the Lady Shri Ram College of Delhi University, said, "I love studying. I used to study 10, 12 and 14 hours a day. And I guessed that it worked in my favour that I never lost patience and always used to believe in my abilities. I never thought that Civil Service Examinations is a very tough exam, is very time consuming. Patience, focus, discipline and family support, I suppose worked in my favour."

Dabi has been followed by Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district and Delhi's Jasmeet Singh Sandhu in the rankings.

Artika Shukla and Shashank Tripathi secured the fourth and fifth positions respectively in the examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).