Meet Bhavika Chopra: St Stephen’s economics graduate who rose from AIR 476 to AIR 25 in UPSC 2025

For many aspirants, clearing the civil services examination even once is considered a major achievement. For Bhavika Chopra, it became the starting point of a longer journey.

The Chandigarh-based candidate has secured All India Rank (AIR) 25 in the Civil Services Examination 2025, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The result marks a significant improvement from her earlier attempt. In UPSC CSE 2023, she had secured AIR 476, which led to her selection in the Indian Postal Service.

Rather than settling with that outcome, Bhavika decided to try again. Two years later, the effort has placed her among the top rankers in one of India’s most competitive examinations.

Schooling in Chandigarh, economics at St Stephen’s

Bhavika grew up in Chandigarh and completed her schooling at Carmel Convent School Chandigarh. She scored 97.4% in Class 12, reflecting a strong academic record even before college.

She later moved to Delhi to study Economics (Honours) at St. Stephen’s College. Her academic training in economics exposed her to debates around development, governance, and public policy—subjects that often draw students toward the civil services.

A corporate job before the UPSC path

Before starting her preparations for UPSC, Bhavika also had her share of experience in the corporate sector. She was employed with Ernst & Young for almost two years.

Though she was enjoying her job, the idea of serving in public administration always pulled her back towards the civil services. Finally, she decided to leave her corporate job and start preparing for the examination.

The decision—common among many UPSC aspirants—meant stepping away from a predictable career path in order to pursue a far more uncertain one.

Improving rank after an earlier selection

Bhavika's first achievement was when she secured 476th rank in UPSC CSE 2023, which was allotted to the Indian Postal Service. Scoring a position in the civil services examination is an achievement in itself, which requires years of hard work and preparation.

She decided to continue preparing for the exam, aiming for an even better rank in the next attempt.

Bhavika's hard work was rewarded when she secured 25th rank in UPSC CSE 2025, marking an improvement in rank.

For many candidates, an improvement in rank over successive attempts is what the examination is all about.

A home environment shaped by education

Bhavika comes from a family where education has always been central. Her mother teaches at Carmel Convent School in Chandigarh, while her father is a Chartered Accountant.

Growing up in such an environment meant that discipline and academic focus were emphasised early on. Family support, she has indicated in interviews, played an important role during the long preparation phase.

Preparing without coaching

Another part of Bhavika’s journey that has received attention is her approach to preparation strategy. As reported by various media sources, Bhavika did not opt for any coaching for her UPSC preparation.

Instead, she adopted the path of self-study and an independent approach for her preparation.

Although the coaching institute is an important factor in the preparation strategy for the UPSC, Bhavika’s approach would definitely resonate with many aspirants who have adopted the independent approach for their preparation.

A reminder of what persistence can achieve

Bhavika Chopra’s journey, which took her from Rank 476 to Rank 25, is a classic example of the gradual improvement that often characterizes the progress of candidates in the UPSC exam.

Bhavika Chopra’s success adds one more story to the long list of candidates who have managed to improve their ranks substantially after their first selection.

For the thousands of aspirants who are gearing up to compete in the civil services exam in the country, Bhavika Chopra’s success is yet another reminder that the path to success in the UPSC exam is rarely a straight one, but determination can ultimately help reach the top.
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