A Cook’s Daughter, a Young Mother, a Shepherd: Meet UPSC 2024’s Most Unique Toppers
Each year, the UPSC Civil Services results light up thousands of homes across the country. But beyond the rankings and roll numbers are deeply personal stories — of late-night study sessions, tearful setbacks, and quiet sacrifices that rarely make the news.
These aren’t just stories of academic success. They are reminders of how dreams are often stitched together by the hands of a mother, the silence of a father, the resilience of a child, or the strength of a family. Whether it’s a daughter rewriting her future while her father stands guard on duty, or a young man crossing milestones without his eyesight — these journeys speak to something bigger than a rank.
Here are seven stories from UPSC 2024 that left us moved and reminded us why hope, when nurtured with love and grit, rarely goes unanswered.
1. Shakti Dubey, AIR 1: The daughter of a police officer
When Shakti Dubey topped the UPSC 2024 exam, the spotlight also turned to her family in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Devendra Kumar Dubey, a dedicated police officer, told First India News, “All I did was provide her with everything she needed… the rest was her hard work and God’s grace.” With her mother as the constant pillar at home and her own unshakeable dedication, Shakti turned a household of silent sacrifice into a story of national pride.
2. Iqbal Ahmed, AIR 998: A puncture repairman’s son
In Nandaur, Uttar Pradesh, Iqbal Ahmed’s name is being spoken with pride. According to India Today, his father, Maqbool Ahmed, who ran a bicycle puncture shop, had to shut it down due to health issues. Despite limited means, Iqbal pursued his education in Mehdawal and Gorakhpur, eventually joining UPPSC as a Labour Enforcement Officer. Thanks to his grit and perseverance, he cracked UPSC in his next attempt.
3. Malavika G Nair, AIR 45: A new mother who refused to pause
From Kerala, Malavika G. Nair made headlines after she appeared for the UPSC mains just 17 days after giving birth. “Writing the mains was strenuous. I gave birth on 3 September and wrote the exam on 20 September,” she told TOI. An IRS officer from the 2020 batch, Malavika was determined to become an IAS officer. With her husband in IPS training, her parents and sister helped care for her newborn and travelled with her — allowing her to make her sixth and final attempt count.
4. Harshita Goyal, AIR 2: Guided by her father, grounded in purpose
After losing her mother to cancer, Harshita Goyal’s father moved the family from Rajasthan to Gujarat in search of a better future. A Chartered Accountant and graduate of MSU Baroda, Harshita cleared UPSC in her third attempt. “I wanted to do something for the society. My father motivated me to prepare for UPSC and aim for IAS,” she told IANS. Reflecting on her achievement, her father added, “She has proven that daughters are no less than anyone. We are so proud of her.” Harshita’s journey is a quiet but powerful reminder of how purpose, backed by support, can carry you through.
5. Manu Garg, AIR 91: A mother’s vision for her visually impaired son
Manu Garg from Jaipur lost his eyesight in Class 9. His father left, friendships faded, but his mother stood by him as his support and guide. With her help, Manu studied at Hindu College, pursued a postgraduate degree at JNU, and cleared UPSC in his second attempt — without learning Braille, relying instead on tech and her support.
6. Preethi AC, AIR 263: A cook’s daughter who chose self-study over coaching
On April 23, 26-year-old Preethi AC called her father, Channabasappa, to share the news: she had secured Rank 263 in UPSC 2024. “It was one of the most joyous and happiest moments of my life,” he told TOI. A part-time cook who never went to school, he supported his daughter through government schooling, a BSc in Agriculture in Mandya, and MSc at BHU. Preethi, who took Anthropology as her optional, said, “It was my father’s dream. I studied only in government-run educational institutions.”
7. Beerappa Doni, AIR 551: From herding sheep to clearing UPSC
While herding sheep in Nanavadi village, Karnataka, Beerappa Siddappa Doni received the call: he had cleared the UPSC with AIR 551. A BTech graduate from Maharashtra’s Amage village and a member of the Kuruba community, he had worked at India Post and dreamt of joining the Army like his brother. “Our well-wishers tell me Beerappa will become a senior police officer. I’m sure he’ll be happy — he always wanted to serve the country,” his father told The Hindu.
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