Women Dominate Top Ranks in Civil Services Exam, with Telangana’s Uma Harathi N. Securing Third Place

In a remarkable achievement, women have once again claimed the top positions in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam (CSE), with the first four ranks being secured by female candidates. Delhi University graduates Ishita Kishor and Garima Lohia took the top two positions, while Uma Harathi N. from Telangana stood third. The UPSC results were announced on Tuesday.

This marks the second consecutive year where women candidates have clinched the top three ranks in the prestigious civil services examination. Among the successful candidates, many from different states and cities showcased impressive performances, with several attempting the exam for the first time.

According to the commission, a total of 933 candidates, comprising 613 men and 320 women, qualified for the exam. Notably, out of the top 25 candidates, 14 are women, reflecting the outstanding achievements of female aspirants in this year’s UPSC CSE.

Uma Harathi N., hailing from Telangana, secured her B.Tech degree in 2017 and cracked the Civil Services Exam on her fourth attempt. She comes from a family with a strong background in law enforcement, as her father, N. Venkateshwarlu, serves as the superintendent of police in Narayanpet district. Delighted with her exceptional rank, Uma Harathi expressed her gratitude to her parents, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout her journey. Her family decided to privately celebrate her remarkable feat, while her brother currently serves as an Indian Engineering Services officer in Mumbai.

Uma Harathi shared her feelings of surprise and humility, stating that she never expected to secure the third rank. She attributed 99 percent of her success to the support and encouragement she received from her parents, brother, friends, and mentors. While recognizing the abundance of available content and information for exam preparation, Uma Harathi emphasized the importance of emotional strength and expressed her passion for education and women’s welfare.

Congratulating the family, Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand took to Twitter and praised Uma Harathi’s father for his bravery and now for raising an equally courageous daughter. Commissioner Anand shared a history with N. Venkateshwarlu, as the latter served as a sub-inspector during Anand’s tenure as superintendent of police from 1996 to 1999.

Another noteworthy achiever, Dr. G.V.S. Pavandatta, secured an impressive all-India rank of 22 in his second attempt at the Civil Services Exam. Driven by a desire for social service, Dr. Pavandatta, who studied anthropology, had initially pursued medicine and ultimately decided to try his hand at the UPSC exam during the lockdown. His mother, Lalitha Kumari, commended his dedication and revealed their joy in witnessing his success, adding that they were blessed to have no financial burden for his education.

Sri Sai Ashrith Shakamuri, a 21-year-old from Warangal’s Chityala, secured the 40th rank in the UPSC CSE. Expressing his elation, Shakamuri described it as a dream come true and a moment of immense pride to become an IAS officer at such a young age. This achievement marked his first attempt at the civil services examination.

M. Sri Pranav, who achieved the 60th rank, credited his success to meticulous work, mentors, morals, and strong family support. Having cleared the exam on his fifth attempt, he expressed relief at no longer having to write the prelims in the upcoming week. Sociology was his chosen subject, and he enjoyed the preparation process, finding mock