Success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination often comes after years of steady preparation, reflection and improvement. For Ujjwal Priyank, the journey to the top ranks was marked by exactly that. In the final results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, Ujjwal secured All India Rank 10, emerging as one of the top performers in one of India’s toughest competitive examinations.
Hailing from Patna, Ujjwal’s achievement has brought pride to his family and has quickly become a source of inspiration for many UPSC aspirants across the country.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Ujjwal grew up and completed his schooling in Patna. After finishing school, he pursued engineering and moved to Jaipur for higher studies. He completed his B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Jaipur.
After graduation, Ujjwal chose to return to Patna and begin his preparation for the civil services examination from his hometown. Living with his mother, he built a focused study routine that allowed him to prepare consistently for the demanding examination.
While his academic background was in engineering, Ujjwal was drawn to the broader role civil servants play in shaping policy and governance.
“Civil services appealed to me because it allows you to work in a position where your decisions can directly improve people’s lives,” Ujjwal Priyank shared in an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds.
THE DECISION TO PURSUE CIVIL SERVICES
For Ujjwal, preparing for the civil services was not simply about pursuing a prestigious career. He viewed it as an opportunity to contribute to society through public administration and governance.
The examination’s wide syllabus and the responsibility associated with the role of a civil servant motivated him to dedicate several years to preparation.
Like many aspirants, he faced uncertainty during the journey. However, his long-term goal helped him remain focused and disciplined throughout the process.
LEARNING FROM A NARROW MISS
Ujjwal’s journey to AIR 10 was not a straightforward one. In his first attempt in 2023, he performed well and reached the Personality Test stage, one of the final phases of the examination. However, he narrowly missed the final selection list.
His final score that year was 928, which fell short of the cutoff by 25 marks.
For many aspirants, missing the final list after reaching the interview stage can be discouraging. For Ujjwal, however, it became an opportunity to evaluate his preparation and make improvements.
“After missing the final list earlier, I spent time understanding where I had lost marks and tried to correct those areas in my next attempt,” he explained.
He carefully analysed his performance, revised his strategy and strengthened weaker areas in his preparation.
THE ATTEMPT THAT BROUGHT SUCCESS
The breakthrough finally came in his third attempt, when Ujjwal once again cleared the written stages and appeared for the Personality Test. This time, the result brought the moment he had been waiting for.
He still remembers the day the results were announced.
The list was released in the afternoon, and Ujjwal was having lunch with his family when he first heard the news.
“When the result came, I checked the website again just to be sure. It took some time to realise that the roll number on the list was actually mine,” he recalled.
The confirmation turned the day into a moment of celebration for his family and friends.
OPTIONAL SUBJECT AND PREPARATION STRATEGY
For the examination, Ujjwal chose Sociology as his optional subject. Over time, he developed a preparation strategy that focused on clarity of concepts, regular answer writing and repeated revision of important topics.
He also emphasised the importance of learning from previous year questions and understanding how the examiners frame questions.
Consistency, according to him, played a major role in maintaining progress during preparation.
ADVICE FOR UPSC ASPIRANTS
After securing a top rank, Ujjwal has a clear message for those preparing for the examination. He believes the civil services exam rewards patience and continuous improvement rather than sudden bursts of effort.
He advises aspirants to identify their strengths and weaknesses early in the preparation process and work systematically on both.
Equally important, he says, is maintaining confidence during difficult phases of preparation.
Doubts and setbacks are a common part of the UPSC journey, but staying focused on long-term goals helps aspirants navigate these challenges.
FOCUS ON PRELIMS PREPARATION
With the Preliminary Examination often approaching quickly for candidates, Ujjwal also shared a practical suggestion for aspirants.
He recommends paying close attention to previous year questions (PYQs) and building the habit of reading widely. According to him, the Preliminary Examination often tests a candidate’s familiarity with a wide range of topics.
Regular practice and repeated revision can help candidates recognise patterns in the questions and improve their chances of success.
AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT INSPIRES
Ujjwal Priyank’s success story highlights how steady improvement and careful planning can make a difference in the highly competitive UPSC examination. His journey – from narrowly missing the final list to securing AIR 10 in UPSC CSE 2025 – shows that progress in this exam often comes from learning and refining one’s approach over time.
For aspirants across the country, especially those preparing from cities outside the major coaching hubs, his story offers an encouraging reminder that determination, clarity of strategy and patience can lead to remarkable results.
