UPSC civil services results declared; Shakti Dubey tops
UPSC Civil Services 2024 Results Announced: Shakti Dubey Tops, Women Shine in Top Ranks
In a moment of national pride, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially declared the Civil Services Examination 2024 results on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The announcement has sparked widespread celebrations across India, especially with three of the top five ranks secured by women—a powerful sign of changing times and growing gender parity in India’s administrative landscape.
Shakti Dubey has clinched the All India Rank 1, followed by Harshita Goyal at Rank 2 and Dongre Archit Parag at Rank 3. Significantly, this year’s top five comprise three women and two men, drawing praise from all quarters.
A Prestigious Milestone for Many
Every year, lakhs of aspirants sit for the UPSC exam, dreaming of serving the nation through roles in the IAS, IFS, IPS, and other civil services. However, only a few hundred candidates manage to clear the rigorous three-stage selection process comprising the Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Personality Test.
This year, the results brought tears of joy and relief to hundreds of successful candidates who spent years preparing for this moment. For many, this success reflects not just academic excellence but also determination, sacrifice, and emotional endurance.
Meet the Toppers Who Made It
🥇 Shakti Dubey (Rank 1)
Shakti hails from a modest background and holds a degree in Political Science from Delhi University. After narrowly missing selection in his first attempt, he reworked his strategy, focused more on structured preparation, and improved his answer-writing skills.
“I treated this exam like a full-time job. But more importantly, I learned to manage pressure and stay consistent,” he shared. Notably, his parents and teachers stood by him during challenging phases.
🥈 Harshita Goyal (Rank 2)
Coming from Jaipur, Harshita is a gold medalist in Economics and opted for Sociology as her optional subject. Her responses during the personality test stood out for clarity and sensitivity, particularly on topics like gender equity and sustainable development.
Harshita noted, “You have to take care of your mental health throughout the journey. It’s not only about hard work but also about managing stress.”
🥉 Dongre Archit Parag (Rank 3)
An IIT Bombay graduate, Archit made a calculated shift from engineering to civil services. With Anthropology as his optional subject, he structured his preparation using group discussions, mock tests, and weekly self-assessments.
He remarked, “It’s crucial to develop perspective and not just rely on facts. The exam tests your approach to real-life problems.”
A Year That Celebrated Women in Civil Services
One of the most talked-about aspects of this year’s result is the strong presence of women in top ranks. This trend reaffirms the positive shift toward greater gender balance in India’s bureaucratic leadership.
Moreover, women are increasingly opting for roles that were once considered male-dominated, such as the Indian Police Service or Indian Revenue Service. Their rise showcases not just competence but also courage and ambition.
National Leaders and Citizens Congratulate Toppers
As expected, leaders across the political spectrum praised the achievers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the toppers and said, “Their success will inspire countless other young Indians to serve the nation with integrity.”
In addition, several chief ministers, MPs, and former bureaucrats expressed support and admiration through social media, especially highlighting the diversity among this year’s rank-holders.
What Lies Ahead for the Selected Candidates?
Following the announcement, selected candidates will head to Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. There, they will undergo intensive training in public administration, law, policy-making, and leadership.
Eventually, they will be allocated their cadres based on preference, merit, and vacancies. Many top-rankers will choose the IAS, while others may opt for the IFS or IPS, depending on their interests and long-term goals.
Lessons for Future Aspirants
While the celebration continues, this is also a time of reflection for thousands who could not clear the exam this year. However, mentors and past toppers emphasize that failure in UPSC is not the end—rather, it’s a stepping stone to better attempts or new directions.
In fact, many successful candidates make it in their second or third tries. Others go on to excel in state services, policy think tanks, research, and even entrepreneurship.
Therefore, for future aspirants, the advice remains: stay focused, trust your process, and keep improving.
Final Thoughts: A Moment of Pride and Promise
The UPSC Civil Services 2024 results are more than just rankings; they reflect India’s evolving dreams. The stories of Shakti, Harshita, Archit, and many others show that success doesn’t come overnight. It takes years of focus, dedication, and belief in a cause larger than oneself.
As these young officers begin their journey in public service, they carry with them not just the hopes of their families but also the aspirations of a billion Indians who look to civil servants as agents of change.
This year, the results also remind us that the face of governance in India is changing, becoming more inclusive, more diverse, and more representative of the society it serves.
