UPSC results: 3 of top 5 have Delhi link; 4 from Jamia’s RCA in top 50

NEW DELHI: Delhi made a notable mark among the top ranks as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday announced the final results of the civil services examination.Akansh Dhull, a BCom graduate from the University of Delhi, secured the third rank. His optional subject was commerce and accountancy. Raghav Jhunjhunwala and Ishan Bhatnagar secured the 4th and 5th ranks, respectively. In the 7th rank was AR Rajah Mohaideen, who prepared for the exam at the residential coaching academy (RCA) of Jamia Millia Islamia. Dhull is from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). He began preparing for UPSC in 2021 and improved his performance steadily over successive attempts. In the 2023 examination, he secured the 342nd rank, which improved to 290 the following year. According to him, his consistent preparation, disciplined study routine, and a strategic approach led to his third rank.Dhull, originally from Rohtak, said: "I completed my schooling in Chandigarh before pursuing higher education in Delhi. I credit my father for motivating me to pursue a career in the civil services. It is a dream that inspired me from an early age."During his time at SRCC, Dhull developed strong analytical and debating skills, which he believes proved useful during his UPSC preparation. He also said that his interest in travelling and gaining varied experiences helped broaden his perspective while preparing for the examination.Jhunjhunwala, who completed his BA (Hons) in economics from the University of Delhi, opted for economics as his optional subject.Bhatnagar, a BA LLB (Hons) graduate from National Law University, had sociology as his optional subject.Ranked seventh, Mohaideen, originally from Chennai, is an MBBS graduate who completed his medical degree in 2022. After graduating, he decided to pursue the civil services and began preparing for the examination soon after. This year marked a turning point for him. "This was my third attempt," he said. Before moving to Delhi, Mohaideen had prepared for the exam in Chennai. He said: "The prelims were actually the blocking point for me." Determined to overcome this, he sought guidance from seniors at the Jamia academy who had cleared the stage multiple times.Outside his studies, Mohaideen turns to music to stay balanced during the intense preparation process. A trained Carnatic musician, he both sings and plays the keyboard, a pursuit he has followed since childhood."I started practicing around third standard," he said. Music, he added, helped him manage stress and step away from the pressures of the exam cycle. Jamia's RCA leaves a markAs many as 38 candidates from RCA, Centre for Coaching and Career Planning, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), achieved remarkable success in the UPSC civil services examination. Of these, four candidates secured positions in the top 50 ranks. The list of successful candidates also includes 15 women.The vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, professor Mazhar Asif, said: "The extraordinary success of our RCA-trained students showcases JMI's culture of hard work, perseverance, and determination, which are key ingredients for success in one of the country's toughest examinations."