The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on March 6, 2026, announced the final results of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, recommending 958 candidates for appointment to prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A and Group B central services.
Anuj Agnihotri secured All India Rank (AIR) 1, followed by Rajeshwari Suve M in second place and Akansh Dhull in third, according to the merit list released by the commission. The results mark the culmination of a multi-stage examination process that included the preliminary exam, the Mains written examination, and the Personality Test conducted earlier this year.
The final merit list, published on UPSC’s official website, determines entry into India’s most influential administrative positions and reflects the performance of candidates across one of the country’s most competitive recruitment processes.
Top Performers In India’s Toughest Exam
The Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as one of the most challenging public recruitment processes globally, attracting lakhs of aspirants each year. In the 2025 cycle, a total of 958 candidates were recommended for appointment after completing all three stages of the selection process.
The top 10 candidates include Anuj Agnihotri, Rajeshwari Suve M, Akansh Dhull, Raghav Jhunjhunwala, Ishan Bhatnagar, Zinnia Aurora, A. R. Rajah Mohaideen, Pakshal Secretry, Astha Jain, and Ujjwal Priyank.
The interview stage, also known as the Personality Test, carries 275 marks and is designed to assess a candidate’s decision-making ability, ethical judgement, leadership qualities, and understanding of governance issues rather than simply testing academic knowledge.
Interviews for the 2025 examination cycle began in January 2026 at the commission’s headquarters in New Delhi and concluded shortly before the final results were announced.
Vacancies, Service Allocation And The Next Phase Of Training
For the 2025 recruitment cycle, the government had reported more than a thousand vacancies to be filled through the Civil Services Examination, with selected candidates recommended for services such as the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services.
Following the announcement of results, the UPSC will forward the list of recommended candidates to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which will allocate services based on candidates’ ranks, reservation categories and preferences submitted during the application process. Once services are allocated, successful candidates will begin their training at specialised academies across the country.
IAS officers typically train at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, IPS officers undergo training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad, while IFS officers undertake diplomatic training programmes in New Delhi.
The probation period generally lasts around two years and focuses on equipping officers with practical governance and administrative skills before they begin field postings. The commission also noted that the candidature of several recommended candidates remains provisional, and individual marks will be published on the official website within about 15 days of the result declaration.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
For millions of aspirants across India, the Civil Services Examination symbolises not just a competitive test but a pathway to public leadership and meaningful service. Every year, stories of perseverance from candidates balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and years of preparation remind us that the journey to public service is often built on resilience and hope. At the same time, the responsibilities awaiting these newly selected officers are immense: strengthening governance, addressing social inequalities, and ensuring that public institutions serve citizens with integrity and empathy.
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