Complete List Of UPSC Toppers (1972-2023)

Since 1972, the Civil Services in India have been regarded as one of the most esteemed services, and gaining entry into the government machinery is a top priority. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts an annual examination on a nationwide scale. Approximately 500,000 candidates participate in the examination each year, but only around 1000 of them successfully secure a spot in the final selection. Among these, at least 100 individuals are chosen for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), while the remaining candidates are appointed to other civil services. Below is a compilation of UPSC Toppers from 1972 onwards.

Ishita Kishore (2022)

Total marks achieved: 1094 out of 2025.
Attempt: Third
Optional: Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)

Ishita Kishore, originally from Patna, Bihar, obtained her bachelor’s degree in commerce with a focus on Economics Honours from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. After completing her studies, she gained valuable experience as an intern at Housing And Urban Development Corporation Limited and GAIL (India) Ltd. In 2017, Ishita began her professional career as a Risk Analyst at Ernest & Young (EY), where she dedicated two years of her life. However, she made the decision to resign from her position in order to dedicate her time and efforts to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services examination. Despite facing initial disappointment by not qualifying in the prelims during her first two attempts, Ishita ultimately achieved an impressive accomplishment by securing AIR 1 on her third try.

Shruti Sharma (2021)

The score obtained is 1105 out of 2025.
Attempt: Second
Optional: History

Shruti Sharma, hailing from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, accomplished a bachelor’s degree in History from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a master’s degree in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi. Impressively, she attained the top rank, AIR 1, in the UPSC CSE examination on her second attempt. She credits her achievement to the remarkable guidance and preparation she received from Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) for the UPSC examination.

Shubham Kumar (2020)

Total marks obtained: 1054 out of 2025.
Attempt: Third
Optional: Anthropology

Shubham Kumar hails from Katihar District in Bihar. He completed his initial education at a local school in his village. In 2012, he successfully passed his high school exams at Vidya Vihar Residential School in Parora, Purnia, Bihar. For his 11th and 12th standard, he attended Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Bokaro, Jharkhand. Pursuing his passion for Civil Engineering, he enrolled in the prestigious IIT Bombay to pursue a B.Tech degree.<br><br>In May 2017, Shubham commenced his journey as a summer research intern at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Despite his initial setback in the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination in 2018, he persevered and appeared again in 2019. This time, he achieved an impressive rank of 290th, leading to his selection in the esteemed Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS). He underwent training at the National Academy of Defence Financial Management Institute (NADFM) in Pune.<br><br>Undeterred by previous challenges, Shubham took the UPSC CSE for the third time in 2020, emerging as the topper. This remarkable achievement solidified his position as a top candidate in the field.

Pradeep Singh (2019)

The score obtained is 1072 out of a total of 2025 marks.
Attempt: Fourth
Optional: Public Administration

Pradeep Singh hails from Haryana. He completed his primary education at a local government school in his village until the 7th grade. Subsequently, he enrolled at Shambhu Dayal Modern School in Sonipat and completed his education there until the 12th grade. Pradeep went on to obtain a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science And Technology (DCRUST), Murthal in 2012. In 2015, he successfully passed the SSC CGL examination and was appointed as an income tax officer. Continuing his path of success, Pradeep cracked the UPSC Civil Service examination in 2018, achieving an impressive All India Rank of 260, and securing a position as an IRS officer. Undeterred, in 2019, he made his fourth attempt in the UPSC CSE examination and attained the remarkable feat of securing AIR 1.

Kanishak Kataria (2018)

Score: 55.43%
Attempt: First
Optional: Mathematics

Kanishak Kataria is a resident of Jaipur, Rajasthan. He graduated with a B.Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, completing his studies from 2010 to 2014. He received his school education at St. Paul’s Sr. Sec. School in Kota, Rajasthan. Prior to pursuing his civil services career, Kanishak worked as a data scientist at Samsung in South Korea and later as a data analyst at a startup company in Bangalore. However, in 2017, he decided to quit his job and successfully cleared the civil services examination in his first attempt.

Anudeep Durishetty (2017)

Marks: 1126/2025
Attempt: 5th
Optional: Anthropology

After graduating with a B. Tech in Civil Engineering from the esteemed Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Anudeep Durishetty joined ‘Google India’ and began his preparations for the Civil Services. Additionally, he gained experience as an Assistant Commissioner (P) at the Indian Revenue Service, where he was stationed in Hyderabad. Remarkably, in his fifth attempt, Anudeep secured the first rank in the 2017 exam with an All India Rank (AIR) of 1.

Nandini K R (2016)

Marks: 1120/2025
Attempt: Fourth
Optional: Kannada Literature

Nandini K R graduated from MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, with a B. Tech in Civil Engineering. Following her graduation, she began her preparations for the Civil services. In her second attempt, she successfully cleared the exam in 2014, securing AIR 849. Despite being allotted Indian Revenue Services, her aspiration to become an IAS officer motivated her to take a leave from her job. She devoted a whole year to prepare for the examination and eventually achieved her goal in her fourth attempt in 2016, becoming an IAS officer.

Tina Dabi (2015)

Marks: 1063/2025
Attempt: First
Optional: Political Science

Tina Dabi, in her first attempt, achieved an impressive feat by becoming one of the youngest candidates to successfully clear the Civil Services exam. Distinguishing herself from her peers, Tina opted for humanities instead of science and commenced her exam preparations during her school years. She further pursued her education at Sri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi, where she excelled as the CBSE and College topper.

Ira Singhal (2014)

Marks: 1082/ 2025
Attempt: 4th
Optional: Geography

Ira Singhal’s journey to becoming an IAS officer is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite facing obstacles due to her condition called Scoliosis, which makes it difficult for her to move her arms, she successfully cleared the UPSC exam in 2010. However, she was initially denied entry into the Indian Revenue Services (IRS) due to her medical condition. Undeterred, Ira fought her case at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and ultimately secured admission into the IRS in 2014. Ira is determined to make a difference in the lives of differently-abled individuals and has expressed her desire to contribute to their welfare. Additionally, she holds an MBA in Marketing & Finance from the Faculty and Management Studies in Delhi.

Gaurav Aggarwal (2017)

Marks: 975/2025
Attempt: Second
Optional: Economics

After leaving his successful job in Investment Banking in Hong Kong, Gaurav chose to dedicate himself to serving his country. Holding degrees from IIT Delhi and IIM Lucknow, he ventured into the Indian Police Service, securing the 244th position. Reflecting on his decision, Gaurav acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from a life of luxury to serving as an IAS officer in a remote region. Nevertheless, he emphasized the immense satisfaction derived from resolving people’s problems.

Haritha V Kumar (2012)

Marks: 1193/2300
Attempt: Fourth
Optional: Economics and Malayalam

In 2007, Haritha successfully obtained her Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication from the esteemed Government Engineering College, Barton Hill. From an early age, she aspired to become an IAS officer. Although she initially secured the 179th rank and was offered a position in the Indian Police Service on her second attempt, she made the decision to join the Indian Revenue Services instead. On her third attempt, she achieved the 294th rank. Following this, Haritha took a one-year break from her services to focus on preparing for the IAS exam. Ultimately, her perseverance paid off as she achieved the remarkable feat of securing the 1st Rank on her fourth attempt.

Dr. Shena Aggarwal (2011)

Marks: 1338/2300
Attempt: Third
Medical Science and Psychology are subjects that students may choose to study.

Shena graduated from AIIMS with an MBBS degree and achieved the highest rank in CBSE PMT in 2004. While she had always dreamed of becoming an IAS officer since childhood, her determination grew stronger during her internship in a rural area during her MBBS studies. In her second attempt, Shena secured the 305th rank and was offered the Indian Revenue Services in 2011. Finally, in the same year, she achieved her dream of becoming an IAS officer, ranking first in the country.

S. Divyadharsini (2010)

Marks: 1334/2300
Attempt: 2nd
Optional: Legal Studies and Public Governance

Divyadharshini, a law graduate, obtained her BA BL (Hons) degree from the prestigious School of Excellence in Law College, Tamilnadu. Unfortunately, she did not qualify for the prelims in her first attempt. Nevertheless, she decided to join SBI in the clerical cadre while remaining steadfast in her ambition to become an IAS officer. She was determined to exhaust all her opportunities in pursuit of her lifelong dream.

Shah Faesal (2009)

Marks: 1361/2300
Attempt: First
Public Administration and Urdu are subjects that students can choose to study if they are interested.

Dr. Shah Faesal, the first candidate from Kashmir to be chosen for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), has a remarkable journey. Tragically, his father, a teacher, fell victim to terrorists. Despite this hardship, Faesal persevered and topped the UPSC examination, becoming an inspiration for the youth of Kashmir. He successfully obtained his MBBS degree from Sher-i-Kashmir Medical College, Srinagar. Driven by a strong desire to make a positive impact, Faesal actively engages with the Kashmiri youth through social media, offering them guidance and support. Additionally, he has a profound love for poetry.

Shubhra Saxena (2008)

Marks: 1371/2300
Attempt: Second
Public Administration and Psychology are subjects that students may choose to study if they are interested.

Shubhra, a Software Engineer, had previously worked at the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in Noida before pursuing a career in the civil services. She is a proud graduate of IIT Roorkee. Although she did not succeed in her first attempt, she persevered and achieved the top rank on her second attempt. Shubhra felt unsatisfied with her role as a Software Engineer and desired to contribute to the welfare of society. Consequently, she made the decision to leave her job and focus on preparing for the civil services.

Apada Karthik (2007)

Marks: 1458/2300
Attempt: Third
Optional: Zoology and Psychology

Adapa Karthik, a dedicated doctor, selflessly declined scholarships from prestigious institutions like Harvard and Cambridge to serve his nation. Despite successfully entering the civil services, he continues to arrange health camps for the underprivileged. His exceptional commitment led to his selection for the IPS in his previous two attempts.

Mutyalaraju Revu (2006)

Attempt: Third
Electrical Engineering and Mathematics are optional subjects.

Mutylalaraju Revu obtained his Bachelor of Technology degree from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, and later pursued a Masters in Engineering (ME) specializing in Signal Processing from the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore. Additionally, he successfully passed the GATE and IES examinations and gained experience as a Railways Engineer. Remarkably, he was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) in his initial attempt.

Mona Pruthi (2005)

Attempt: Third
English Literature and Sociology are subjects that are not mandatory but can be chosen to study.

Mona, a graduate in Economics from Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce and a postgraduate from the Delhi School of Economics, had been employed at American Express. However, after just one year of working there, she made the decision to resign in order to dedicate her time to exam preparation. It’s worth noting that Mona had previously been chosen for the Indian Revenue Services in a previous attempt.

S. Nagarajan (2004)

Marks: 1247/2300
Attempt: Fourth
Sociology and Geography are subjects that can be chosen as options.

Nagarajan graduated with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS, Pilani. Following his graduation, he dedicated himself to preparing for the civil services. Impressively, he successfully advanced to the interview stage in his initial attempt. In his subsequent try, he was selected for the Indian Railway Traffic Services.

Roopa Mishra (2003)

Attempt: First
Public Administration and Psychology are subjects that students may choose to study.

After studying science until her plus-two level, Roopa Mishra made a switch to Commerce. She successfully obtained her MBA degree from Utkal University. Roopa draws inspiration from the diligent efforts of farmers, soldiers, and homemakers, and aspires to reciprocate their contributions by serving them as an IAS officer.

Ankur Garg (2002)

Attempt: First
Physics and Chemistry are optional subjects.

Ankur Garg, a graduate in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi, turned down lucrative job offers from several multinational companies upon completing his studies. Despite hailing from a family of doctors, Ankur nurtured the ambition of becoming an IAS officer since his early school days. His engineering journey also presented him with the opportunity to undertake internships in France and Switzerland.

Alok Ranjan Jha (2001)

Attempt: Third
Elective courses available: Sociology and Political Science

After attending Hindu College in Delhi, Alok proceeded to complete his M.Phil at Jawahar Lal Nehru University. Although he fell just short of the final cut-off by a mere 5 marks in his previous attempt, he successfully passed the exam in 2001. Despite the option of choosing IAS, Alok decided to pursue IFS.

Vijayalakshmi Bidari (2000)

Attempt: Second
Optional subjects offered are Political Science and Kannada Literature.

Vijayalakshmi Bidari comes from a lineage of civil servants, with her father, brother, husband, and sister-in-law all serving in the civil services. She successfully graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering from RV College of Engineering. Following her B. Tech, she received job offers from BFL Software and HPCL Calcutta. Impressively, she achieved a commendable ranking of 107th in her first attempt.

Sorabh Babu (1999)

Attempt: First
Optional subjects available include Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering.

Sorabh completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from a university located in Uttar Pradesh. Impressively, he achieved the highest score in his first attempt at the UPSC exam.

Bhawna Garg (1998)

Attempt: First
Elective courses: Mathematics and Chemistry

Bhawna, hailing from Punjab, is a Chemical Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur. She made history as the first woman to achieve the top rank in the UPSC Exam. Additionally, her exceptional performance in extra-curricular activities during her training at LBSNAA earned her a prestigious gold medal.

Devesh Kumar (1997)

Marks: 1462/2300
Chemistry and Geography are subjects that students can choose to study if they wish.

Devesh Kumar, a native of Bihar, is an esteemed IAS officer. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur. Furthermore, he pursued a master’s degree in Public Administration at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School from 2014 to 2015. Following his success in the UPSC exam, he was allocated the Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Sunil Kumar Barnwal (1996)

Marks: 1417/2300
Maths and Physics are subjects that are not mandatory.

Sunil hails from a modest family in Bihar. Upon completing his 10th standard, he left his home and through sheer determination, managed to secure admission into the prestigious ISM, Dhanbad to pursue Petroleum Engineering. During his college breaks, he dedicated his time to studying for civil services. Sunil’s academic prowess shone through as he not only excelled in his studies but also received the prestigious Gold medal. Despite engineering being his backup plan, his true aspiration was to become an IAS officer. Following his graduation, he joined GAIL while simultaneously continuing his preparations for the civil services. Although he faced disappointment in his initial attempt, he emerged triumphant in his second attempt, securing the coveted 1st rank.

Iqbal Dhaliwal (1995)

Marks: 1446/2300
Attempt: Second
Elective Courses: Economics and Public Administration

In 1992, Iqbal Dhaliwal graduated from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University with a B.A. (Honors) in Economics. He then pursued his M.A. in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, obtaining the first rank in his college. Initially, he achieved the 229th rank in his first attempt at the exam, but he persevered and took the exam again to fulfill his aspiration of becoming an IAS officer.

Ashutosh Jindal (1994)

Attempt: First

Ashutosh, hailing from Punjab, is an IAS officer of the 1995 Batch belonging to the Manipur Tripura cadre. He achieved the top position in Electronics and Communication Engineering at the esteemed Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala.

Srivatsa Krishna (1993)

Srivatsa Krishna began his career as an SDM in Delhi before being recruited by Chandrababu Naidu to join his team of bureaucrats in transforming Hyderabad into an IT hub. Srivatsa’s contributions to the development of Hyderabad are highly commendable. Following his work in Hyderabad, he pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School and subsequently joined the World Bank upon completion of his studies. In 2003, Srivatsa was honored with the esteemed “Global Leader for Tomorrow” Award by the World Economic Forum at Davos.

Anurag Srivastava (1992)

Attempt: First

Anurag, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, obtained a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from IIT, Kanpur. Since childhood, his aspiration has been to become an IAS officer.

Raju Narayana Swamy (1991)

Raju, hailing from Kerala, commenced his professional journey at the age of 23 when he joined the services. He successfully completed his engineering degree in Computer Science from IIT, Madras. Standing out as the State topper during his 10th standard, he further accomplished clearing the GATE exam. Recognized for his unwavering commitment to combat corruption, Raju is well-regarded for his crusade in this field.

V. V. Lakshminarayana (1990)

Lakshminarayana is originally from Andhra Pradesh and has completed his education at NIT, Warangal, and IIT, Madras. At the age of 25, Laxmi began his career in the services. Unlike many others, he opted for IPS instead of IAS. Laxmi gained recognition for his notable roles as SP of Nanded and within the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad.

Shashi Prakash Goyal (1989)

Shashi is a member of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, having completed his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics.

Prashant Kumar (1988)

Prashant Kumar, originally from Bihar, is an IAS officer belonging to the West Bengal cadre. During the 1990s, he served as the district magistrate of North Dinajpur. However, he later took a deputation to Delhi and joined the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Amir Subhani (1987)

Amir Subhani, a Bihar cadre IAS officer, has previously held the position of Principal Secretary in Bihar’s Home Department.

Dr. Hrusikesh Panda (1978)

Dr. Hrusikesh Panda chose his home state of Orissa as his preferred cadre. He possesses an M.Sc. in Chemistry, a diploma in Social Work, an MBA achieved in Australia, and a Ph.D. in English. Notably, he is a renowned fiction writer hailing from Orissa. Throughout his professional journey, he has dedicated a significant portion of his time to serving the underprivileged.

32. Javed Usmani (1977)

Attempt: First

In 1978, Usmani obtained an MBA degree from IIM, Ahmedabad, and an MSc degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and was allotted the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Bhaskar Balakrishnan (1974)

Bhaskar Balakrishnan completed his studies at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (1963-66) and Delhi University (1966-68). He further pursued a Ph.D. in Theoretical High Energy and Particle Physics at Stony Brook University, USA (1968-72). After completing his education, he worked as a teacher at Panjab University (1972-74) and later at Stony Brook University in the USA. In 1974, he joined the Indian Foreign Services and went on to serve as the Ambassador of India to Greece, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Nirupama Rao (1973)

Attempt: First

From 2009 to 2011, Nirupama Rao held the position of India’s Foreign Secretary, opting for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) instead of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). She completed her master’s degree in English Literature at Marathwada University in Maharashtra.

Duvvuri Subbarao (1972)

Attempt: First
Optional: Physics

After obtaining his M.Sc. degree from IIT Kanpur, Duvvuri Subbarao achieved the highest score in the UPSC CSE and was assigned to the Andhra Pradesh Cadre. Additionally, he served as the 22nd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. In pursuit of his studies in Economics, Subbarao pursued further education at Ohio State University in the United States, followed by attendance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.