UPSC toppers often share one common trait—clarity of purpose combined with consistent effort. Akansh Dhull’s journey is a strong example of this combination.

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, he secured an impressive All India Rank 3 (AIR 3), making him one of the top performers in the country.

What makes his story notable is not just the rank, but the discipline, academic strength, and persistence behind it.

Early Life and Educational Background

Akansh Dhull comes from Rohtak, Haryana, and completed his schooling in Chandigarh. From an early stage, he showed strong academic interest and consistency.

His educational journey includes:

• Schooling from Chandigarh
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com Hons)
• Graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi

With a strong academic foundation, he had multiple career opportunities, including campus placements. However, he chose a different path.

Choosing UPSC Over Corporate Career

Despite graduating from one of India’s top institutions, Akansh decided not to enter the corporate world immediately. He turned toward his long-term goal—civil services.

This decision came with risk:

• Leaving high-paying job opportunities
• Entering a highly competitive exam environment
• Committing to years of preparation

But his focus remained clear.

UPSC Journey and Attempts

Akansh Dhull’s UPSC journey was not a single-attempt success.

He faced setbacks before achieving top rank:

• 2023 Attempt: AIR 342
• 2024 Attempt: AIR 295
• 2025 Attempt: AIR 3

Each attempt showed steady improvement, reflecting strong learning from previous mistakes. His journey is a clear example of growth through consistency rather than sudden success.

UPSC 2025 Result and Marks

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, Akansh Dhull secured:

• Written Exam Marks: 864
• Interview (Personality Test): 193
• Total Marks: 1057
• Final Rank: AIR 3

Optional Subject and Preparation Strategy

Akansh strategically used his academic background to strengthen his preparation.

Commerce & Accountancy Optional

Being a commerce graduate from SRCC, he chose Commerce & Accountancy as his optional subject. This helped him build a strong scoring foundation.

Key Preparation Strategies

His preparation approach focused on clarity and integration:

• Strong focus on static subjects + current affairs integration
• Linking news events with syllabus topics
• Structured revision of notes
• Smart answer writing practice
• Consistent CSAT preparation strategy

CSAT Strategy

Many aspirants struggle with CSAT, but Akansh treated it strategically.

• Focused on English comprehension for quick scoring
• Attempted easier questions first
• Managed time efficiently in the exam
• Practiced regular mock tests

This helped him maintain balance across all stages of the exam.

Family Background and Support

Akansh Dhull comes from a well-educated family background.

• Hails from Rohtak, Haryana
• Son of Krishna Dhull (public figure background mentioned in reports)
• Strong academic environment at home

Family support played a key role in maintaining consistency during long preparation years.

What Makes His Journey Special

Akansh Dhull’s UPSC journey stands out because of:

• Continuous improvement across attempts
• Strong academic foundation from SRCC
• Smart use of optional subject strength
• Balanced approach to Prelims, Mains, and CSAT
• Persistence despite earlier ranks

His journey reflects how refinement matters more than repetition.

Key Takeaways

1. Improvement matters more than instant success
Ranks improved every year through learning and correction.

2. Optional subject strategy is crucial
Choosing a familiar subject helped strengthen scoring potential.

3. Consistency beats pressure
Steady effort over time leads to better outcomes.

4. Smart preparation is important
Integration of current affairs with static topics gives an edge.

5. UPSC is a long-term game
Success often comes after multiple refinements.

Final Thought

Akansh Dhull’s achievement of AIR 3 in UPSC CSE 2025 is a result of patience, discipline, and strategic preparation.

From SRCC classrooms to one of the top ranks in India, his journey shows that success is not about avoiding failure, but about improving through it.

For aspirants, his story is a reminder that consistent growth is the real key to reaching the top.