1. Shakti Dubey – AIR 1: A Journey of Patience and Persistence
Topping the UPSC 2025 exam with All India Rank 1, Shakti Dubey’s success came after seven long years of dedication. Her journey began in 2018 and was marked by relentless effort, self-belief, and resilience. What made her stand out was her disciplined study routine, repeated revisions, and her ability to learn from each failure. Her story is a powerful reminder that consistent hard work always pays off.
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2. Donuru Ananya Reddy – AIR 3: Cracking UPSC in First Attempt at 22
At just 22, Ananya Reddy cracked the civil services exam in her very first attempt, securing the prestigious AIR 3. Inspired by the work ethic of cricketer Virat Kohli, she combined passion with discipline to stay focused. Her smart strategy and effective time management helped her reach the top ranks, proving that age is no barrier to success in UPSC.
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3. Srinath – From Railway Porter to IAS Officer
Srinath’s transformation from a railway porter to a civil servant is one of the most motivational stories from UPSC 2025. Studying with the help of free Wi-Fi at Ernakulam station, he prepared for the exam without any formal coaching. Despite financial hardships and repeated setbacks, Srinath’s determination eventually led him to success. His story proves that no background is too humble for greatness.
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4. Saumya Mishra – AIR 18: Creating a Legacy of Success
Saumya Mishra, who secured AIR 18, belongs to a rare group of achievers from Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College. Interestingly, four students from the same Geography department cleared UPSC in consecutive years — including her sister, Sumegha Mishra. Her success highlights the role of academic culture and peer support in cracking competitive exams.
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5. Adiba Anam – AIR 142: Empowering Women Alongside UPSC Prep
Hailing from Yavatmal, Adiba Anam secured AIR 142 in UPSC 2025. Beyond her academic success, she’s known for actively participating in women empowerment campaigns. She led workshops on self-defense, cyber security, and legal rights for girls. Adiba’s vision is to implement such programs in her future administrative role, showing that civil services can be a path to social change.
Keywords: women in UPSC, Adiba Anam IAS, social impact IAS officer
Final Thoughts
These UPSC 2025 success stories prove that with strong willpower, focused preparation, and a clear goal, anything is possible. Whether it’s your first attempt or your fifth, these inspiring journeys can serve as powerful motivation for your own UPSC path.
Share this post with fellow aspirants and let these real-life heroes inspire your journey toward becoming an IAS officer.