By Nandini Tyagi
APRIL 24, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
Shakti Dubey, belonging to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, has topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination with All India Rank 1 out 5.83 lakh candidates
Photo: YouTube/ Chahal Academy
A biochemistry graduate from Banaras Hindu University, Dubey once aspired of becoming a doctor. She had taken up Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) in school
Express Photo
Based on her rank in medical entrance, she was allotted BDS but decided to pursue BSc instead. She began preparing for UPSC in 2018
Photo: Unsplash
Her journey, however, was not easy and consisted of five failed attempts. In her first three attempts, she could not qualify the preliminary stage
Photo: Unsplash
In her fourth attempt, she reached the interview round but was not successful. Last year, she missed the cut-off by just 12 marks, stating that it was ‘the lowest moment’ of her life
Photo: Unsplash
Not giving up her dream to become an IAS officer, she moved to Delhi to prepare for the Civil Services exams. She attained the top rank this year
Express Photo
Dubey says her top choice for her cadre remains her home state. She wants to work on the security and safety of women
Photo: Unsplash
In the recent years, women have emerged as the toppers in the Civil Services Examination, except for Aditya Srivastava who topped the exam last year
Photo: Instagram/ Aditya Srivastava
Three of the top five candidates this year are women including Shakti Dubey (AIR 1), followed by Harshita Goyal (AIR 2) and Shah Margi Chirag (AIR 4)
Photo: Freepik