UPSC Toppers Success Stories, Motivational Journey

UPSC Toppers Success Stories remind every aspirant that success is built step by step with planning, effort, and patience. Explore UPSC 2024 topper success stories here.

PWOnlyIAS

April 19, 2025

UPSC Toppers Success Stories, Motivational Journey

Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but only a few make it to the final list. Among them, a smaller number earn the prestigious title of “UPSC Topper.” The UPSC Toppers 2024 Success Stories stand as inspiring examples of hard work, dedication, and the will to serve the nation.

This year’s final results, declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), saw brilliant candidates from different states and backgrounds achieve top ranks. Aditya Srivastava secured All India Rank 1, followed by Animesh Pradhan at AIR 2 and Donuru Ananya Reddy, who stood out as the top female candidate with AIR 3.

1. Aditya Srivastava (AIR 1) UPSC 2024 Topper

The story of Aditya Srivastava proves that one can take an unconventional path and still achieve great things. Aditya hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and holds a dual degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur.

Before entering UPSC preparation, Aditya worked at Goldman Sachs for about 15 months. Despite having a successful corporate career, he decided to switch paths and serve the nation through the civil services. His journey to the top was not instant—he cleared UPSC in his third attempt, making it a story of persistence and passion.

Also Read: UPSC CSE Final Result

Aditya Srivastava’s UPSC Details

Particular

Details

UPSC Rank 1st
State Uttar Pradesh
Attempt Third
Education B.Tech + M.Tech
Institute IIT Kanpur
Optional Subject Electrical Engineering

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2. Donuru Ananya Reddy (AIR 3) UPSC Female Topper 2024

Donuru Ananya Reddy, the highest-ranking female candidate, secured All India Rank 3. She belongs to Mahabubnagar, Telangana, and has been a consistent performer throughout her academic career. Ananya completed her graduation in Geography (Hons.) from Miranda House, Delhi University.

Also Read: UPSC Topper Marksheet

Clearing the UPSC Civil Services Exam is tough, but doing so as a first-generation civil servant makes her story even more powerful. Ananya’s success has made her a role model for many young girls, especially those from small towns. Her story is about following dreams, breaking stereotypes, and staying true to the goal.

Donuru Ananya Reddy (AIR 3)
Particular Details
UPSC Rank 3rd
State Telangana
Education B.A. (Hons) Geography
Institute Miranda House, Delhi
Optional Subject Anthropology

UPSC IAS Success Stories of Grit and Determination

Meet extraordinary individuals who conquered hurdles to achieve their dreams of becoming civil servants through the UPSC exam. These IAS success stories are beacons of resilience and determination, proving that with unwavering grit, anyone can overcome challenges and reach the pinnacle of IAS Success. Get ready to be inspired!

1. S Aswathy – IT to IAS, Defying Odds with Determination

S Aswathy, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, nurtured the ambition of becoming an IAS officer from her childhood. Despite facing economic hardships with her father working as a construction laborer, Aswathy displayed remarkable perseverance, securing the 481st rank in the CSE 2020 exam. 

IAS Success Stories

S Aswathy’s Success Story
Particular Details
Name S Aswathy
State Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram)
Education Not specified
Background Worked in IT sector
Family Background Father is a construction laborer
Optional Subject Not specified
UPSC Rank (CSE 2020) 481st
Goal Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Current Status Preparing for next UPSC attempt

Also Read: UPSC 2024 Cutoff

2. D Ranjith – Overcoming Disabilities to Rank 750 in UPSC

  • Dealing with hearing and speech impairments, Ranjith faced rejection in numerous job placements. However, he defied the odds by IAS Success Stories clearing the exam on his first attempt.
  • At 27 years old, Ranjith achieved an impressive rank of 750.
  • Overcoming his challenges, he mastered lip-reading, taught by his mother, to comprehend the coaching class instructions. Today, he stands as a source of pride among disabled students, exemplifying resilience and determination.

IAS Success Stories

3. Anil Basak: Financial Struggles to IAS Success Stories at Rank 45

  • Anil Basak, despite facing severe financial challenges, has consistently shown resilience and determination in his pursuit of excellence.
  • Recalling his family’s financial struggles, Anil shared, “My father used to work as a hawker. He had also worked as a house help in Rajasthan just to sustain his family.” 
  • He emphasized that his father’s perseverance served as his primary inspiration.
  • In 2018, Anil took his first shot at the UPSC exam, but IAS Success Stories eluded him at that time. Undeterred, he persisted, refusing to surrender to setbacks
  • His unwavering determination bore fruit, and in the current year, he secured an impressive rank of 45. 
  • Notably, despite being eligible for the Scheduled Caste quota, Anil’s selection within the general category underscores his achievement based on merit.

IAS Success Stories

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4. Ansar Ahmad Shaikh (21 yrs old)- Auto Driver’s Son: Inspiring Journey to IAS Success Stories

  • Ansar Ahmad Shaikh has become the youngest candidate to crack the UPSC Civil Services exam at the age of 21 with an all India rank of 361 in his very first attempt in 2015. 
  • Ansar sheik, the son of an auto-rickshaw driver and brother of a mechanic, hails from a marginalized family from the Jalna village of Maharashtra.
  • Despite his vulnerable economic conditions, Ansar excelled in studies from the very start and landed in the prestigious college course of BA in Political Science, Pune. 
  • Driven by a strong will, he used to work 12 hours a day straight for three consecutive years while preparing for his UPSC exam.

IAS Success Stories

5. Kuldeep Dwivedi (27 yrs old) IRS- Security Guard’s Son: Security Guard’s Son Achieves IRS with Rank 242

  • Kuldeep Dwivedi has managed to secure an all India rank 242 in the civil service exam conducted by UPSC in 2015
  • Kuldeep Dwivedi, son of a security Guard at Lucknow University has proved that no obstacle is too great to stop your will to succeed.
  • His father Surya Kant Dwivedi works at the University of Lucknow as a security guard and struggles to make ends meet for his family of five.

IAS Success Stories

6. Sweta Agarwal – Grocer’s Daughter: Rises to 19th Rank in UPSC 2015

  • This is another heartwarming story of a daughter of a grocer from Bhadreshwar. 
  • Sweta Agarwal finally realized her dream of becoming an IAS officer by securing the 19th rank in the UPSC examination in 2015. 
  • Her story of struggle is filled with overcoming multiple odds ranging from gaining basic education facilities to becoming one of the top 3 women toppers of UPSC exam 2015.
  • She explains how despite battling poverty, her parents gave her the best education possible.

IAS Success Stories

7. Nirish Rajput – Tailor’s Son Triumphs Over Poverty in UPSC at Rank 370

  • Nirish Rajput, son of Virendra Rajput (a tailor) was a poor youngster from the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, who overcame massive odds to emerge IAS Success Stories in the Civil Service examination. 
  • He proved that poverty is not an impediment to IAS Success Stories.
  • He failed in the previous three attempts at the civil services, but never lost heart. The fourth time, he passed with a rank of 370. 
  • He lived in a small house in village Mau in Gohad tehsil of the district and worked odd jobs, even as a newspaper distributor, just to realize his dream of becoming a civil servant.
  • He did not know how to become an IAS officer, but he knew clearing the country’s top examination could change his fortune.
  • He was confident that poverty cannot be a hurdle for anyone if one has the determination and will to work hard.
  • He studied in a government school and a modest college in Gwalior.
  • His two elder brothers, who are contractual teachers, started investing most of their savings and energy to make Nirish’s dream come true. 
  • He has also proved the impression that only students from public schools alone can do well in these exams is a myth.

IAS Success Stories

8. Hrudaya Kumar – Farmer’s Son Triumphs at Rank 1079 in UPSC 2014

  • Hrudaya Kumar, a son of a below poverty line farmer from Angulai, a remote village in Kendrapara district of Odisha has secured 1079th rank in the coveted civil service examination 2014.
  • His family lives in a house which they got from Indira Awas Yojana, a social welfare flagship programme of the government.
  • After completion of secondary education, he enrolled in a five-year integrated MCA course at Utkal University. 
  • He optimally utilised the environment he got for studies and tried his luck in the civil services exam but he failed to secure his name in the merit in his first two attempts.

IAS Success Stories

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9. Manoj Kumar Roy -From EGG vendor to civil servant and Mentor

  • He cleared UPSC Civil service examination in his 4th attempt and now serves as an Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officer. 
  • He spends his weekends grooming poor students of his state to help them crack the UPSC exam. 
  • He sold eggs, worked as a vegetable vendor and even mopped the floors of an office to earn a living during his struggling days in Delhi.

IAS Success Stories

10. K Jayaganesh – From Waiter to IAS Triumph at Rank 156

  • K Jayaganesh failed in the civil service examination six times but never lost heart
  • But in his last chance, he passed with a rank of 156 and got selected for the Indian Administrative Service.
  • Jayaganesh hailed from a very poor background in a village in Tamil Nadu, and though he studied to be an engineer, he worked at odd jobs, even as a waiter.

IAS Success Stories

11. GOVIND JAISWAL – Son of a Rickshaw Puller Ranks 48th in UPSC 2006

  • His father toiled hard, sold off his only piece of land so that Govind could get an education. 
  • Complementing his father’s struggle and dream, Govind ranked 48th in the Civil Service Examination, 2006.

IAS Success Stories

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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