New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission has declared the results of the Civil Services Examination 2024, with Shakti Dubey securing the All India Rank 1. She is followed by Harshita Goyal at Rank 2 and Dongre Archit Parag at Rank 3. Two of the top three positions this year have been secured by women, marking another significant moment for gender representation in one of the country’s most competitive examinations.

A total of 5.83 lakh candidates appeared for the Preliminary Examination held on 16 June 2024. The process included the Preliminary stage, the Mains held in September, and the Personality Test. Of the 14,627 candidates who qualified for the Mains, 2,845 were shortlisted for the interview stage. The final list includes 1,009 successful candidates, comprising 725 men and 284 women, who have been recommended for appointments to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, and various other Central Group A and B Services.

In accordance with Rule 20 (4) and (5) of the Civil Services Examination Rules 2024, the UPSC has also released a consolidated reserve list of 230 candidates. This includes 115 from the General category, 35 from the Economically Weaker Sections, 59 from the Other Backward Classes, 14 from the Scheduled Castes, 6 from the Scheduled Tribes, and 1 from the PwBD-1 category. The candidature of 241 individuals remains provisional and the result of one candidate has been withheld.

The appointments will be made against 1,129 reported vacancies. These include 180 for the Indian Administrative Service, 55 for the Indian Foreign Service, 147 for the Indian Police Service, 605 for Central Services Group A, and 142 for Group B Services. Out of the total, 50 vacancies have been reserved for candidates from the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories.

Shakti Dubey, who secured Rank 1, hails from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and holds a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Allahabad. She opted for Political Science and International Relations as her optional subject and succeeded in her second attempt. Coming from a modest background, she emphasised the importance of consistency and clarity in preparation rather than focusing on long study hours. Her preparation strategy was based largely on self-study, with selective guidance for answer writing and interview rounds. “More than studying long hours, it was important to study smartly and revise multiple times. Mock tests, especially for Mains, played a crucial role,” she said. Her mother, Prema Dubey, recalled that Shakti often studied late into the night and remained calm throughout, placing her faith in both effort and prayer.

Harshita Goyal, who secured Rank 2, comes from Rohtak in Haryana and pursued B.Com from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Political Science and International Relations was her optional subject as well, and this was her third attempt. After missing the final list in her second attempt, she recalibrated her preparation by improving her answer writing style and linking topics across subjects. Coming from a business family, Harshita combined her academic background in commerce with a strong interest in political and international affairs. She made it a point to prioritise mental wellbeing during the preparation phase, often reading fiction or practising meditation to stay focused. “Failures taught me more than successes. Consistency, self-belief, and adaptability to the changing demands of the exam were the keys,” she said.

Dongre Archit Parag from Pune, Maharashtra secured the third rank in his first attempt. A graduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, Archit chose Philosophy as his optional subject. He prepared for the exam while working in a corporate job and followed a focused routine built around limiting sources, preparing micro-notes, and dedicating time to Essay and Ethics papers. Archit said Philosophy helped him not just with content but in shaping his thinking across papers. He also engaged in group discussions to gain new perspectives. Reflecting on the preparation phase, he said, “I treated this preparation not just as an exam but as a journey of personal growth.”

The final list captures a range of backgrounds and experiences, with each candidate bringing a different perspective to the table. As they move forward into the civil services, their stories may well inspire the next generation of aspirants to approach this examination not just as a test, but as a process of reflection, resilience and learning.

BI Bureau