UPSC CSE 2025 Top 10 Rankers: Inspiring Success Stories and Key Details
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the final results of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in India. Every year, thousands of aspirants compete for a limited number of positions in elite services such as the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
The UPSC CSE 2025 Top 10 Rankers represent exceptional dedication, academic excellence, and perseverance. Their diverse academic backgrounds—from medicine and engineering to economics and law—demonstrate that success in the civil services is possible regardless of one’s discipline.
Below is a detailed overview of the Top 10 Rankers of UPSC CSE 2025, highlighting their education, optional subjects, and notable achievements.
1. AIR 1 – Anuj Agnihotri 
- Background / Education: MBBS – AIIMS Jodhpur
- State: Rajasthan – Kota
- Optional Subject: Medical Science
- Additional Details: From Rajasthan; earlier associated with Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS).
Anuj Agnihotri secured the All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2025. A medical graduate from AIIMS Jodhpur, he chose Medical Science as his optional subject. Before achieving the top rank, he was associated with the Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS), demonstrating prior administrative exposure.
2. AIR 2 – Rajeshwari Suve M 
- Background / Education: Engineering background
- State: Madurai – Tamil Nadu
- Optional Subject: Sociology
- Additional Details: From Madurai, Tamil Nadu; previously cleared TNPSC Group-1 and served as Deputy Collector trainee.
Rajeshwari Suve M secured AIR 2, emerging as one of the top female achievers in the examination. With an engineering background, she opted for Sociology as her optional subject. Before clearing UPSC, she had already cleared TNPSC Group-1 and served as a Deputy Collector trainee, reflecting strong administrative potential.
3. AIR 3 – Akansh Dhull 
- Background / Education: B.Com – University of Delhi (SRCC)
- State: Haryana – Rohtak
- Optional Subject: Commerce & Accountancy
- Additional Details: From Haryana; earlier secured rank in previous attempt and improved to AIR 3. working in CAG office.
Akansh Dhull secured AIR 3 in UPSC CSE 2025. A graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, he chose Commerce & Accountancy as his optional subject. Notably, he had secured a rank in an earlier attempt and significantly improved his performance to reach the Top 3, while also working in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office.
4. AIR 4 – Raghav Jhunjhunwala 
- Background / Education: B.A. (Hons.) Economics – SRCC – University of Delhi
- State: Bihar – Muzaffarpur
- Optional Subject: Economics
- Additional Details: 2nd Attempt | Last Interview 160 Marks
Raghav Jhunjhunwala achieved AIR 4 with Economics as his optional subject. A graduate of SRCC, University of Delhi, he cleared the examination in his second attempt, securing 160 marks in the interview stage, which significantly contributed to his overall rank.
5. AIR 5 – Ishan Bhatnagar 
- Background / Education: B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) – National Law University Delhi
- State: Bhopal – MP
- Optional Subject: Sociology
- Additional Details: 2024 IRS Batch
Ishan Bhatnagar secured AIR 5 in the examination. A law graduate from National Law University Delhi, he opted for Sociology as his optional subject. Prior to this achievement, he belonged to the 2024 IRS batch, showcasing determination to improve his rank through another attempt.
6. AIR 6 – Zinnia Aurora 
Background / Education: St. Stephens
State: Rohtak – Haryana
Optional Subject: PSIR
Additional Details: 3rd Attempt | AIR 156 in CSE 2024 | Want to Join IFS
Zinnia Aurora secured AIR 6 after persistent effort. A student of St. Stephen’s College, she chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject. She had earlier secured AIR 156 in UPSC CSE 2024 and achieved a remarkable improvement in her third attempt, expressing interest in joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
7. AIR 7 – Dr A. R. Rajah Mohaideen 
- Background / Education: MBBS
- State: TN – Chennai
- Optional Subject: Anthropology
- Additional Details: Ranked 7 in final merit list. Medical Science . Both Parents are teachers
Dr A. R. Rajah Mohaideen, a medical graduate, secured AIR 7. He opted for Anthropology as his optional subject. His academic journey reflects strong discipline and dedication. Notably, both of his parents are teachers, which likely influenced his academic excellence and commitment to public service.
8. AIR 8 – Pakshal Secretry 
- Background / Education: IIT Kanpur – Economy
- State: MP – Dhar
- Optional Subject: Economy
- Additional Details: IIT Kanpur – 24 Year | 2023 – 182 Marks 2 Interview | 3rd Attempt
Pakshal Secretry secured AIR 8 with an academic background from IIT Kanpur in Economics. At 24 years of age, he demonstrated remarkable determination by clearing the examination in his third attempt. His earlier interview score of 182 marks in 2023 highlights strong personality test performance.
9. AIR 9 – Astha Jain 
- Background / Education: Miranda House (Arts)
- State: UP – Shyamali
- Optional Subject: PSIR
- Additional Details: UPSC 2023 – AIR 131 IPS
Astha Jain secured AIR 9 in UPSC CSE 2025. She completed her education from Miranda House, one of the premier colleges of the University of Delhi. Her optional subject was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR). Earlier, she had secured AIR 131 in UPSC 2023 and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) before improving her rank.
10. AIR 10 – Ujjwal Priyank 
- Background / Education: B Tech | Master in Sociology From Ignou
- State: Patna – Bihar
- Optional Subject: Sociology
- Additional Details: 3rd Attempt | 1st Attempt Mains
Ujjwal Priyank secured AIR 10 in UPSC CSE 2025. With a B.Tech degree and a Master’s in Sociology from IGNOU, he chose Sociology as his optional subject. His journey highlights perseverance, clearing the exam in his third attempt, with his first mains appearance leading to a Top 10 rank.
Key Observations from UPSC CSE 2025 Top Rankers
- Diverse Academic Backgrounds: Candidates came from medicine, engineering, commerce, economics, and law backgrounds.
- Popular Optional Subjects: Sociology, PSIR, Economics, and Medical Science were among the optional subjects chosen.
- Multiple Attempts: Several candidates improved their ranks over multiple attempts, highlighting persistence as a key factor in success.
- Prior Government Service: Some rankers were already part of civil or state services, demonstrating continuous improvement.
Conclusion
The UPSC CSE 2025 Top 10 Rankers reflect the spirit of dedication, resilience, and academic excellence required to succeed in India’s toughest examination. Their journeys serve as a powerful source of motivation for lakhs of aspirants preparing for future civil services examinations.
These success stories show that with consistent preparation, strategic planning, and perseverance, achieving a top rank in UPSC is possible.