Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is often described as conquering one of the toughest academic mountains in the world—and securing All India Rank 4 is reaching its absolute summit. But what does it actually take to get there?
In this blog, we break down the Mains, and Personality Test scores of the AIR 4 toppers from 2022 to 2024—Shah Margi Chirag (2024), PK Sidharth Ramkumar (2023), and Smriti Mishra (2022)—to offer a clear picture of how India’s top aspirants performed across each stage of the exam.
Whether you're a future aspirant or simply curious about the numbers behind the names, this detailed comparison provides valuable insight into the journey of those who topped the toughest exam in the country.
Prelims Scorecard for Shah Margi Chirag (2024):
- Roll Number: 0108110
- Name: SHAH MARGI CHIRAG
- Paper I Marks: 90.04
- Paper II Marks: 119.18
AIR 4 TOPPERS MERIT MARKS COMPARISON
The table provides a comparative overview of the performance of UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) All India Rank 4 (AIR 4) toppers from the years 2022 to 2024: Shah Margi Chirag (2024), PK Sidharth Ramkumar (2023), and Smriti Mishra (2022). It outlines their scores across all components of the examination—Essay, General Studies Papers I to IV, Optional Papers I & II—as well as the Personality Test. The written and final totals, along with their subject choices and consistent "Recommended" status, reflect their top-ranking achievements in one of India’s most competitive examinations.
| Subject / Paper | Shah Margi ChiragRoll No- 0108110 | PK Sidharth RamkumarRoll No- 1903299 | Smriti MishraRoll No- 0858695 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (Paper I) | 109 | 129 | 145 |
| GS I (Paper II) | 89 | 83 | 113 |
| GS II (Paper III) | 117 | 119 | 130 |
| GS III (Paper IV) | 91 | 90 | 97 |
| GS IV (Paper V) | 128 | 127 | 116 |
| Optional Paper I | 170 (Sociology) | 169 (Anthropology) | 148 (Zoology) |
| Optional Paper II | 121 (Sociology) | 157 (Anthropology) | 133 (Zoology) |
| Written Total (Out of 1750) | 825 | 874 | 882 |
| Interview (Out of 275) | 210 | 185 | 173 |
| Final Total (Out of 2025) | 1035 | 1059 | 1055 |
| Remarks | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
What the Numbers Reveal
The detailed score analysis of UPSC AIR 4 toppers from 2024 to 2022—Shah Margi Chirag, PK Sidharth Ramkumar, and Smriti Mishra—underscores a crucial truth: there’s no single formula for topping the Civil Services Examination.
Each topper had unique strengths across different papers, yet all maintained consistently high performance throughout. From excelling in Essay and Optional subjects to securing impressive marks in the Personality Test, their journeys reflect a blend of hard work, strategic preparation, and composure under pressure.
For aspirants, these scores are more than just numbers—they serve as benchmarks, sources of motivation, and evidence that with the right approach, the top rank is indeed attainable.
Advice to My Aspirant
Listen to topper talks, but don’t follow them blindly. Someone said they didn’t take a single day off during prep? Maybe. Who knows? But your body, mind, and rhythm are your own.
Can’t study 8 hours a day because you have a job, health concerns, or family responsibilities? That’s okay. Give what you can— 5 hours, maybe 4. But trust the process, and more importantly, be patient with yourself.
Finished a book or a course and feel like you’ve retained nothing? You’re not alone. Most of us have felt that way. The trick is simple: start again. Quietly, steadily, by yourself
And the thumb rule? Don’t compare. Not to toppers, not to fellow aspirants, not even to your past mistakes. The only comparison worth making is to the person you were a year ago.
This year’s result was something I was really looking forward to!! and it completely shattered a myth I had. The surprise element was how age, attempt count, or category didn’t seem to be a barrier.
I noticed a strong trend of selections among candidates in the 27–31 age group, more working professionals have joined this race this is no more a taboo or a trait of low self esteem, which broke the notion that the panel prefers only the younger lot.
SO ........... don't assume things .... Stop Wasting Time