Success in one of India’s most demanding competitive examinations is rarely the result of a single moment. It is built quietly—through early mornings, long hours of study, physical exhaustion, failed attempts, self-doubt, sacrifices and countless decisions to keep going when giving up seems easier.
When the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final results of the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2025, on August 7, 2026, hundreds of aspirants saw years of effort culminate in a place on the final merit list. A total of 350 candidates were recommended for appointment after successfully navigating the examination, physical and medical stages and personality tests.
But beyond the numbers lies something far more meaningful: the human stories behind the ranks.
The top five candidates of the examination come from remarkably different backgrounds. One is a mechanical engineer who built a career in the corporate sector while nurturing a long-standing interest in defence and geopolitics. Another grew up watching his father serve in the CRPF and eventually followed that inspiration towards the uniform. A third turned repeated Civil Services attempts into a foundation for CAPF success and confronted self-doubt head-on. Another left behind the conventional promise of an IT career to pursue public service. And then there is a young man from a farming family who overcame serious family hardship, financial pressures and the illness of his father to secure a place among the country’s very best.
Their destinations may now look similar, but their roads were not.
Here are the inspiring journeys of the top five rank holders of UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2025.
1. Sheershoo Deb: From Mechanical Engineering to AIR 1
A journey shaped by engineering, leadership, defence and an unwavering ambition to serve
At the very top of the UPSC CAPF 2025 merit list stands Sheershoo Deb, who secured All India Rank 1.
His achievement is particularly striking because his journey to the uniform was not a conventional one. Deb comes from an engineering background and had already established himself professionally before securing the country’s top rank in the CAPF examination.
A mechanical engineering graduate from Jadavpur University, Deb completed his Bachelor of Engineering between 2020 and 2024, graduating with an impressive 8.82 CGPA, equivalent to 83.37 per cent.
But his university years were about much more than academics. He actively participated in technical and leadership activities and served as the Chairperson of Team XLR8, Jadavpur University’s SAE-affiliated motorsports club, from April 2023 to April 2024. Earlier, he had been part of the team’s Upright and Wheel Hub team, contributing to the technical side of the university’s motorsports projects.
These experiences gave him something that cannot always be acquired from textbooks: exposure to teamwork, leadership, responsibility, deadlines and decision-making.
From Campus to Caterpillar
After completing his engineering degree, Deb entered the professional world.
Since July 2024, he had been working as an Associate Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. in Chennai. His professional responsibilities included areas such as Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), Siemens NX and engineering analysis.
His association with Caterpillar began even earlier through an internship, during which he worked on ISO-compliance lifting and tie-down analysis of hydraulic mining shovels. He gained exposure to engineering and analytical tools including Teamcenter and Ansys Mechanical.
Before that, he had also interned with ITC Limited in Munger, Bihar, where he worked on operations and industrial automation-related initiatives.
One of his projects involved developing a roadmap for a PMD Command Center, including network architecture designed to centralise control of equipment on the shop floor and integrate ERP and standalone systems. He also contributed to efforts aimed at optimising manpower deployment and restructuring operations for centralised functioning.
For many engineering graduates, a corporate career of this nature could itself be the destination.
For Deb, however, another ambition remained alive.
A Long-Standing Connection With Defence
Deb’s interest in defence and strategic affairs was not something that emerged overnight while preparing for the CAPF examination.
Since August 2020, he had also been associated with the DefenceXP Network as a Content Writer, writing about defence and geopolitics.
This long-term engagement reveals an important dimension of his journey. Even while pursuing engineering and working in the corporate sector, he continued to remain connected with subjects involving national security, defence and geopolitics.
He had also worked as a freelance Advanced Physics Q&A Expert with Chegg India, demonstrating the breadth of his academic interests.
His profile, therefore, brought together seemingly different worlds—engineering, corporate experience, student leadership, writing, physics, defence and geopolitics.
Eventually, those different strands converged.
From Associate Engineer to Assistant Commandant
With AIR 1, Sheershoo Deb now stands on the threshold of a very different professional journey—as a Group A Gazetted Officer and Assistant Commandant in one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces.
His story demonstrates that a candidate does not have to abandon previous experiences to pursue public service.
His engineering education, corporate experience, leadership roles and years of interest in defence and geopolitics all became part of the journey that ultimately took him to the top.
His achievement is a reminder that sometimes the road to a dream is not straight. It is a collection of experiences that eventually lead to the place where one belongs.
2. Aryan Sheoran: The Son of a CRPF Head Constable Who Earned AIR 2
Growing up around the uniform, Aryan turned his father’s example into his own ambition
If Sheershoo Deb’s journey represents a transition from engineering and corporate life to the uniform, Aryan Sheoran’s story carries the inspiration of a family already rooted in the armed forces.
Aryan secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2025.
His achievement became a matter of particular pride for the wider CRPF community because his father, Sunil, is a serving Head Constable (Driver) in the 118 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force.
For Aryan, the uniform was therefore not an abstract symbol. It was something he had seen closely.
An Electrical Engineer With an Analytical Mind
Aryan’s academic background is in Electrical Engineering. He graduated from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, completing his B.Tech in 2025.
His technical education equipped him with an analytical approach, but like Deb, he also gained exposure to the corporate world.
Before his UPSC success, Aryan worked as a Business Analyst at ANAND Group India.
His professional work involved data and analytical tools including SQL, Power BI, Python and SAP.
At first glance, business analytics and the Central Armed Police Forces may appear to be entirely different career paths.
But the skills developed through analytical work—logical thinking, interpretation of information, problem-solving and structured decision-making—can be valuable in any demanding professional environment.
The Three-Stage Test
The CAPF examination is not won simply by clearing a written test. The 2025 selection process began with the written examination conducted on August 3, 2025. Candidates who progressed further had to undergo physical and medical assessments before facing the final personality test.
The interview stage was conducted in May 2026.
Aryan successfully cleared each stage and eventually emerged as the second-highest-ranked candidate in the country.
3. Akanksha Vishwakarma: 3 Civil Services Attempts, Self-Study & the Battle Against Self-Doubt
For Akanksha, the biggest challenge was not the syllabus – it was learning to believe in herself
Akanksha, who secured All India Rank 3, emerged as the top-ranked woman candidate in the UPSC CAPF 2025 examination.
Hailing from Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, Akanksha’s journey is perhaps one of the clearest examples of how setbacks can become preparation for a bigger opportunity.
Before CAPF, she had already spent years navigating the vast landscape of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
She had appeared for the CSE three times.
What might appear on paper as unsuccessful attempts eventually became one of the strongest foundations for her CAPF preparation.
Three Attempts That Became a Foundation
Repeated attempts at the Civil Services Examination gave Akanksha an intimate understanding of the UPSC syllabus, particularly general studies.
Instead of viewing those attempts simply as failures, she carried the knowledge and experience forward.
The enormous syllabus that once appeared daunting had gradually become familiar territory.
That experience proved valuable when she turned her attention towards CAPF.
Her academic background included the study of History and Political Science, subjects closely connected with the broader understanding required for competitive examinations and public service.
Choosing Self-Study Over the Conventional Coaching Route
Akanksha’s preparation was also notable for its independence. She did not rely on regular commercial coaching institutes to create her preparation blueprint.
Instead, she chose to build her own strategy. Her approach centred heavily on previous years’ question papers.
For her, understanding what UPSC actually asked was more important than simply consuming an enormous amount of study material.
She effectively used previous papers to identify patterns, understand expectations and construct a preparation map suited to her own needs.
It was a quiet but deliberate form of preparation.
The Real Opponent Was Inside
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Akanksha’s journey lies in her approach to self-doubt. She has emphasised that the greatest opponent in a long examination journey is not necessarily the size of the syllabus. It is often the candidate’s own mind.
After three Civil Services attempts, she had experienced the uncertainty, pressure and emotional strain that accompany competitive examinations.
Instead of allowing those experiences to define her, she gradually shifted her attention from worrying about the final result to concentrating on the quality of her effort.
The goal became simple: Do the work. Trust the process. Keep moving.
That change in mindset became one of the defining elements of her journey.
When Physical Fitness Became the Next Test
The CAPF examination presented Akanksha with another challenge that goes beyond academics.
Unlike purely written competitive examinations, CAPF demands physical readiness as well.
During her 800-metre physical trial, a large number of candidates struggled to complete the test. Out of 22 co-candidates, 18 reportedly fell away, while Akanksha pushed through and successfully completed the challenge.
Her performance reflected the other side of her preparation—physical conditioning and mental toughness.
At one point, she even prioritised the CAPF physical assessment over a concurrent Combined Defence Services interview, demonstrating how seriously she viewed the opportunity.
A Clear Preference for the Uniform
Akanksha has expressed a preference for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), followed by the CRPF.
Her preference reflects an interest in forces that play critical roles in India’s internal security architecture and provide officers with opportunities for service across different parts of the country.
4. Rohan: Leaving the Conventional IT Path for a Life of Service
An engineering graduate from Delhi who chose purpose over the predictable path of a lucrative technology career
Securing All India Rank 4 in the UPSC CAPF 2025 examination, Rohan represents another important dimension of the top five stories.
His journey began in Najafgarh, Delhi, in a family environment where discipline and physical fitness were already familiar values.
His father works as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI), while his mother is a homemaker.
That background helped shape an environment in which physical activity, discipline and perseverance were part of everyday life.
From Delhi Schooling to Engineering
Rohan completed his schooling at Rao Mansa Ram Senior Secondary Public School in New Delhi.
He then pursued engineering at Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT/NSUT), Delhi, earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology.
With an IT engineering degree from a premier institution, he had access to a career path that could have taken him into India’s rapidly expanding technology sector.
But a conventional corporate career was not where his ambitions ultimately led.
When Career Success Was Not Enough
The technology sector offers engineering graduates substantial professional and financial opportunities. Yet Rohan felt drawn towards something different.
He wanted a career connected with public service and the uniformed forces.
That decision required him to look beyond the conventional definition of career success.
Instead of choosing only what appeared secure or lucrative, he chose a path that aligned more closely with his sense of purpose.
Clearing the Written Test and the Physical Challenge
Rohan successfully cleared the CAPF written examination conducted on August 3, 2025.
But as every CAPF aspirant knows, clearing the written stage is only one part of the journey.
He subsequently cleared the required Physical Efficiency Test and medical stages, earning his place in the final phase.
The final personality tests were conducted during the UPSC interview schedule between May 4 and May 29, 2026.
His performance and evaluation highlighted qualities important for an officer: balanced communication, strong energy, composed body language and the ability to remain steady under pressure.
From IT to the Uniform
Rohan’s story is ultimately about choosing a meaningful destination over an obvious one.
An engineering degree can open countless doors. He chose one that leads towards public service.
With AIR 4, that decision has now brought him within reach of his goal of becoming an Assistant Commandant, a Group A Gazetted Officer responsible for leadership and operations in India’s Central Armed Police Forces.
His journey reminds aspirants that success is not merely about having opportunities.
It is also about having the courage to choose the opportunity that truly matters to you.
5. Harsh Shankarlal Solanki: AIR 5 Against the Weight of Adversity
From a farming family in Madhya Pradesh to the country’s top five, Harsh’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice and family strength
If the first four stories demonstrate ambition, preparation and determination, Harsh Shankarlal Solanki’s journey adds another powerful element: adversity.
Harsh secured All India Rank 5 in the UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandant) Examination 2025.
He comes from Gandhwani in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and belongs to a farming family of the Sirvi community.
His achievement carries special significance because his preparation unfolded against serious personal and family challenges.
A Family Carrying a Heavy Burden
Harsh’s father, Shankar Lal Solanki, has been suffering from paralysis for more than six years.
For a family dependent on agriculture, such a long-term illness can bring both emotional and financial pressure.
There were responsibilities at home. There was agricultural work to manage.
There was the uncertainty that accompanies a serious illness.
And yet, Harsh continued to pursue his goal.
His family, rather than allowing those difficulties to derail his preparation, found ways to protect his study time.
His uncle and sisters took responsibility for household and agricultural duties, allowing Harsh to concentrate on his studies.
That support became an important part of his journey.
The First Attempt Did Not Go His Way
Harsh did not clear the CAPF examination on his first attempt. But instead of treating the failure as the end of the road, he studied what had gone wrong.
He analysed the weaknesses of his first attempt and rebuilt his preparation strategy. The second attempt would be different. And it was.
Eight to Ten Hours of Consistent Preparation
Harsh maintained a disciplined routine, studying for around eight to ten hours every day. His preparation was not based on a sudden burst of motivation. It was built around consistency.
Day after day, he returned to his books, analysed his shortcomings and worked towards correcting them. That consistency ultimately paid off.
On his second attempt, he not only cleared the examination but finished among the top five candidates in the country.
A Childhood Dream of the BSF
For Harsh, the uniform was not simply a career option. He had long carried a dream of serving the nation on the frontlines.
His first preference after clearing the examination is the Border Security Force (BSF).
The preference is consistent with the larger motivation behind his journey: a desire to serve the country in a role involving responsibility, discipline and national security.
What Their Stories Teach Every CAPF Aspirant
- Your Degree Does Not Define Your Destination
- Failure Can Become Preparation
- Preparation Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
- Physical Fitness Matters
- Family Support Can Change a Journey
- Purpose Can Be More Powerful Than Comfort
From Merit List to Mission
The UPSC CAPF examination does not simply select candidates for another job.
It selects future leaders for India’s Central Armed Police Forces – officers who will carry responsibilities involving internal security, border management, critical infrastructure protection, law-and-order support and service in some of the country’s most challenging environments.
That is why the stories of the top five rank holders matter.
