When the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the 2025 results on Friday afternoon, the name at the number three spot immediately sparked both celebration and conversation. Akansh Dhull, an alumnus of SRCC, had not just cleared the exam—he had conquered it.
His phone has been ringing non-stop, including a congratulatory call from Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini. However, for Akansh, this “overnight” success was actually eight years in the making, involving a transition from a stable career path in commerce to the high-stakes world of Indian bureaucracy.
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From Rank 342 to AIR 3: The Incremental Journey
Akansh’s success is a testament to the “improvement” strategy that many top-rankers follow.
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The 2021 Start: He began serious preparation in 2021, opting out of high-paying campus placements at SRCC to focus on his goal.
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The 2023 Reality: He successfully cleared the exam in 2023 but secured Rank 342. Instead of settling for a different service, he analyzed his mistakes and reappeared.
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The 2025 Triumph: By refining his approach in Commerce and Accountancy, he jumped over 300 spots to secure a position in the Top 3.
Addressing the Privilege Scrutiny
In the digital age, a top ranker’s background is often analyzed as much as their marks. Being the son of a politician led to immediate online discussions regarding his “privilege.”
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His Response: Akansh was candid about his background, stating, “I come from privilege but worked hard.” * Family Influence: He noted that his father’s career in public life served as a “guiding light” for public service rather than a shortcut.
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The Mother’s Role: His father, Krishan Dhull, credited Akansh’s mother for being the primary pillar of support during his long years of isolation and study.
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Strategy: Analytical Skills and Early Starts
Akansh attributes his success to the foundation laid during his undergraduate years at Delhi University.
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Analytical Edge: His time at SRCC helped him develop debating and analytical skills, which are crucial for the UPSC Personality Test (Interview).
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Breadth of Perspective: He credited his hobby of traveling for broadening his perspective, helping him tackle the diverse and often unpredictable questions in the General Studies papers.
Reality Check
Rank 3 in UPSC is an extraordinary feat regardless of background. Still, the debate over “privilege” in the Civil Services is a recurring theme. Therefore, while Akansh’s access to resources and a stable environment undoubtedly helped, the exam’s rigorous blind-evaluation of Mains papers means his academic merit is indisputable. In fact, many candidates from privileged backgrounds fail to clear the Preliminary stage, which acts as a brutal leveler for all aspirants.
The Loopholes
The UPSC result is now out. In fact, this is a “Cadre Allocation Loophole”—securing AIR 3 almost guarantees the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). However, getting the Home Cadre (Haryana) depends on the specific vacancy matrix for the 2025 batch. Therefore, even with a top-3 rank, if there are no “General-Home” vacancies, he might be allocated to a different state. Still, the “Commerce Optional Loophole”—often considered a “low-scoring” subject compared to Geography or Anthropology—proves that candidates can excel if they have deep academic roots in their chosen field.
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What This Means for You
If you are a UPSC aspirant, look at Akansh’s journey as a lesson in persistence. First, realize that clearing the exam once is often just the beginning; if you aren’t satisfied with your service, you must have the courage to restart. Then, if you are an undergraduate, understand that college activities like debating and traveling are not distractions—they are “Interview fodder” that builds the personality UPSC is looking for.
Finally, understand that optional selection is personal. You should choose a subject you are comfortable with (like Akansh chose Commerce) rather than following “trending” subjects. Before you start your preparation, check the 2025 Topper’s Marksheets (expected to be released soon) to see the scoring patterns in Commerce and Accountancy.
What’s Next
The UPSC 2025 Marksheets will be uploaded to the official website within the next 15 days. Then, look for the Foundation Course for the 2025 batch to begin at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, in late August. Finally, expect AIR 1, 2, and 3 to be invited to various state and national forums to share their detailed subject-wise strategies for the 2026 aspirants.
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