Shruti Sharma, Ankita Agarwal, and Gamini Singla secured the first, second and third rank respectively in the civil services examination 2021. The results of the exam were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Monday.

Singla is a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in computer science. She secured the third tank with sociology as her optional subject, the UPSC said. She cleared the examination in her second attempt.

“I am really happy. It is like a dream come true. I have opted for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and would like to work for the development of the country and welfare of people,” Singla told PTI over the phone from Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.

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Her parents are medical officers working with the Himachal Pradesh government.

Crediting her father for her success, she told PTI, “I used to study for 9-10 hours a day. I took coaching from Vinod sir in Patiala. Mostly I did self-study preparing for the examination, and finally I got through. My father played an important role in helping me prepare for the exam.”

When asked about women bagging top three ranks in the exam, she said, “This shows women are capable of achieving anything through their hard work and dedication.”

Meanwhile, as many as 685 candidates have qualified the prestigious test. Of them, 244 are from general category, 73 from Economically Weaker Sections , 203 of Other Backward Classes, 105 Scheduled Caste and 60 from the Scheduled Tribes, the Commission said.

Besides the top three rank holders, Aishwarya Verma secured the fourth rank and Utkarsh Dwivedi achieved the fifth position. 

“UPSC has a ‘facilitation counter’ near examination hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitment on the working days between 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours in person or over telephone nos. 23385271/23381125 /23098543,” the Commission said.