For 24-year-old Vikramjit Singh, qualifying for the prestigious Haryana Judiciary exam was his ambition when studying law at Panjab University (PU). In his first try at the exam he did not just pass the test, but topped it. The son of a Asian Games gold medallist and war veteran,Vikramjit, a squash player himself, was given the news on Thursday afternoon by his friend.

The result of the examination was declared on Thursday and the first four rankers have been residing in Chandigarh for the past several years. Still trying hard to control his excitement, Vikramjit credits his parents and teachers with his success.

“My father was ecstatic while my mother broke into tears on hearing my result. I have never seen them getting so emotional and they had all the reason to celebrate given the kind of encouragement and sacrifices they made for me. My mother is suffering from severe arthritis while my father is 75 percent handicapped in his right hand,” said Vikram who is presently studying MA (LLB) from PU.

It was Ayn Rand’s book Fountainhead, which Vikramjit says helped him bring balance to his life when he was not doing well a couple of years ago. Since then he has read the book several times.

Vikramjit, whose father took up a Indian Railway’s job after he suffered a injury on his right hand, had to frequently change schools due to his father job commitments. Chandigarh became his base after his father retired around eight years ago.

After studying non-medical from Government Model School, Sector 16, Vikramjit took admission in the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS). He topped the university examination in 2010 after which he joined a coaching institute in Sector 24.

Vikram says he will be celebrating but it will be limited as he says he will be putting in effort to prepare for Punjab judiciary interviews and Delhi judiciary (mains) exams.