The recent results of the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination for 2025 indicate that India’s leading civil service candidates achieved scores around 52 percent of the total marks. Anuj Agnihotri clinched the top position with a score of 1071 marks, which translates to approximately 52.9 percent of the total possible marks.

The overall tally included 1750 marks allocated for the written mains examination and 275 marks for the personality test, totaling 2025 marks. Agnihotri’s breakdown reveals he achieved 867 marks in the written portion and 204 marks during the personality assessment.

Close Competitors

Following closely behind, Rajeshwari Suve M secured the second position with a score of 1067 marks, just four marks shy of Agnihotri. Her results consisted of 865 marks in the mains examination and 202 marks in the interview. Akansh Dhull, who earned the third rank, recorded a total of 1057 marks, comprising 864 marks in the written exam and 193 marks in the interview.

Speaking about the exam, Agnihotri acknowledged that the Civil Services Examination remains one of the toughest competitive tests in the country. He noted that the scoring pattern reflects the depth and analytical nature of the questions rather than the conventional percentage-based evaluation seen in many academic examinations. According to him, candidates are required to demonstrate clarity of thought, strong conceptual understanding, and the ability to present balanced perspectives on complex issues.

Agnihotri also pointed out that the written stage and personality test together demand consistent preparation over a long period. He explained that the exam is designed to assess not just factual knowledge but also decision-making skills, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate ideas effectively. Because of this comprehensive assessment process, overall percentages often remain relatively low even among top-ranking candidates.

Influence of Personality Test Scores

The results illustrate the significance of the personality test in determining overall rankings. For instance, Ishan Bhatnagar, who finished fifth, scored 823 marks in the written exam, yet his performance in the interview was noteworthy, earning 215 marks, one of the highest among the top candidates. His final tally reached 1038 marks, highlighting how interview scores can play a crucial role in the final ranking process.

Narrow Margins Among Top Ranks

The differences in scores among the leading candidates were minimal. The variance between the first and fifth ranks was limited to just 33 marks, indicating that even minor fluctuations in either written or interview scores can significantly influence the final positions.

In the UPSC civil services examination, the final rankings are determined by the marks acquired in the written mains examination and the personality assessment, with preliminary examination scores serving solely as a screening tool, without impact on the final result.

Significant Competition in Civil Services Examination

This year’s marks reaffirm the fierce competition among candidates, as even achieving over 50 percent of the total marks is sufficient to secure a top position among aspiring civil servants in the country. The results underscore how close the competition remains, given that the margin for ranking is quite narrow among the highest achievers.

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