Tricity UPSC Toppers Illuminate Path with Remarkable Achievements
Candidates from Panchkula and Chandigarh have brought immense pride to the Tricity region by demonstrating exceptional performance in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Their success stories serve as a powerful inspiration for countless aspirants navigating the challenging journey toward civil services.
Akansh Dhull: A Journey of Steady Ascent to AIR 3
For Akansh Dhull, the UPSC examination represented not a single breakthrough but a consistent upward trajectory across multiple attempts. The 25-year-old resident of Sector 12A, Panchkula, achieved All India Rank 3, making him the highest-ranked candidate from the Chandigarh region.
Dhull's remarkable improvement pattern saw him secure AIR 342 initially, followed by AIR 295 the next year, before surging into the elite top three this year. Already an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (2024 batch) currently undergoing training, Dhull continued attempting the examination to improve his rank and pursue his preferred service.
Educational Background: Dhull studied at St Kabir School in Sector 26 and Bhavan Vidyalaya before graduating from Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi.
Success Mantra: "Consistency matters profoundly. It is not about how many hours you study daily, but whether you can maintain your commitment every single day over an extended period. That daily consistency ultimately builds remarkable results," Dhull emphasized.
Bhavika: Intellectual Engagement Leads to AIR 25
Bhavika from Chandigarh secured All India Rank 25 through a journey marked by perseverance and intellectual curiosity. A graduate from St Stephen's College, Delhi, she completed her schooling at Carmel Convent School in Chandigarh before embarking on her UPSC preparation.
Her examination journey began in 2022, with AIR 476 in 2023 leading to her entry into the Indian Postal Service, where she currently serves as an officer trainee in Ghaziabad. After not clearing the exam in 2024, she continued preparing alongside her training and returned this year with dramatically improved results.
Success Mantra: "You need the specific skillset to sit for extended hours, keep your brain actively engaged, and never surrender to challenges. Most crucially, you must maintain a genuinely curious outlook throughout the process," Bhavika explained.
She highlighted the importance of a supportive network: "Preparation becomes more effective when you have the right circle and positive people around you. The emotional highs and lows are inevitable, but proper guidance keeps you grounded." Bhavika prepared under the mentorship of retired civil servant Keshni Anand Arora, with her father working as a chartered accountant and her mother teaching at Carmel Convent School.
Rakhi: Motherhood Strengthens Resolve for AIR 65
Rakhi, a 32-year-old resident of Chandigarh's Sector 49, cleared the examination in her fourth and final attempt, securing All India Rank 65. Originally from Bahadurgarh in Haryana, she settled in Chandigarh after marriage to an SBI manager.
Previously employed at SBI herself, Rakhi resigned to focus on civil services preparation. A biotechnology graduate from IIT Roorkee (2014), she later pursued a postgraduate degree in political science from USOL, Panjab University in 2025 to strengthen her preparation foundation.
Her journey included the significant life milestone of her daughter's birth in 2021 during the preparation phase. "My family supported me throughout this demanding journey. They helped raise my daughter so I could continue preparing effectively," Rakhi shared.
Success Mantra: Clearing the examination in her final eligible attempt, Rakhi emphasized that the result represents years of unwavering persistence and robust family support. She has indicated the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as her preferred service choice.
Neeraj Trar: Clarity and Consistency Yield AIR 180
Another successful candidate from the region, Neeraj Trar secured All India Rank 180 while already undergoing training as an Indian Revenue Service officer of the 2024 batch in Bengaluru. His father serves as an associate professor in the commerce department at Post Graduate Government College, Chandigarh.
Originally from Bikaner, Trar's family relocated to Chandigarh in 2003. He studied at Government Model Senior Secondary Schools in sectors 10 and 16 before pursuing BTech from NIT Delhi.
Success Mantra: "While luck undoubtedly plays an important role in this examination, one needs to maintain absolute honesty and clarity about one's work. It becomes essential to identify and systematically address shortcomings through consistent, dedicated effort," Trar advised.
Common Threads of Success
The achievements of these Tricity candidates reveal several shared characteristics:
- Persistent Improvement: Multiple attempts with consistent ranking improvements
- Educational Excellence: Strong academic backgrounds from prestigious institutions
- Support Systems: Family support and professional mentorship
- Intellectual Curiosity: Maintaining engaged, questioning mindsets
- Balanced Approach: Combining preparation with existing responsibilities
Their collective success demonstrates that the UPSC journey, while challenging, becomes achievable through steady effort, proper guidance, and unwavering determination. These toppers from Panchkula and Chandigarh have not only secured prestigious ranks but have also established themselves as role models for future civil services aspirants across the region and beyond.
