New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the final results of the Civil Services Examination 2024, unveiling a new generation of India’s future civil servants. Topping the prestigious list this year is Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, who has secured All India Rank 1, leading a cohort of 1,009 successful candidates.
Indian Masterminds brings you short profiles of the top 5 toppers of UPSC CSE 2024.
Shakti Dubey – Rank 1
Shakti, a graduate in Biochemistry from Allahabad University, opted for Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects. Her journey reflects the grit, academic prowess, and unwavering focus required to crack one of India’s toughest competitive examinations.
Harshita Goyal – Rank 2
Following Shakti, Harshita Goyal has secured Rank 2. Originally from Haryana and raised in Vadodara, Gujarat, Harshita is a Chartered Accountant by profession. Beyond academics, she has contributed to social causes through her work with the Belief Foundation, which supports children battling thalassemia and cancer.
Dongre Archit Parag – Rank 3
In third place stands Dongre Archit Parag, an engineering graduate from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He took Philosophy as his optional subject, highlighting the interdisciplinary diversity among the toppers. His UPSC journey started last year when he secured AIR 153.
Margi Chirag Shah – Rank 4
Margi Chirag Shah from Ahmedabad, Gujarat secured Rank 4 with Sociology as her optional subject. She holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Gujarat Technological University.
Aakash Garg – Rank 5
At Rank 5 is Akash Garg from Delhi, a Computer Science engineer from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, also with Sociology as his optional.
Women Lead the Way
Out of the Top 5, three ranks have been secured by women, signaling a powerful shift in gender representation in India’s administrative leadership. Of the Top 25 candidates, 11 are women and 14 are men, a balance that reflects growing diversity and inclusion.
Diverse Academic Backgrounds
This year’s merit list is a blend of talent from various academic domains – Engineering, Humanities, Science, Commerce, Medical Science, and Architecture. Toppers hail from premier institutions like IITs, NITs, VIT, JNU, Delhi University, and Allahabad University, showcasing the broad spectrum of excellence that feeds into India’s civil services.
The Journey to Selection
Out of nearly 10 lakh applicants for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024, about 5.8 lakh appeared in the preliminary exam held on June 16, 2024. From this pool, 14,627 candidates cleared the Prelims to qualify for the Mains. After the Mains in September 2024 and subsequent interviews, 1,009 candidates have finally been recommended for various elite services like the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B posts.
A Message of Hope
The UPSC 2024 results aren’t just about ranks – they’re about resilience, discipline, and a shared dream of serving the nation. From Prayagraj to Vadodara, from engineering labs to grassroots social work, the stories of these toppers reflect the aspirations of a new India – young, diverse, determined, and ready to lead.
