Women on Top: Meet the Top 6 Female Toppers of UPSC CSE 2023

By: WE Staff

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly prestigious competitive examination in India, offering the candidates the opportunity to enter into various government administrative positions such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. This year the elite examination cell released the list of candidates who secured top positions in Indian cities and towns. A total of 1,016 candidates, including 664 men and 352 women, were recommended for appointment to various Civil Services.

The CSE 2023 examination saw Lucknow-born Aditya Srivastava, a graduate of IIT Kanpur top the list. He has secured first place (AIR 1) in the elite examination. Aditya is presently pursuing IPS training and this has been the first time in over a decade that any IPS trainee has secured the top spot in the exam.

Along with Aditya, several women also made it to the top spots. To be precise, 2 female aspirants were among the top 5, and 10 female aspirants were named among the top 25 contenders. The rising number of successful women in civil services is a positive indication of India’s improving gender diversity in bureaucracy.

Let’s meet the top 6 female candidates who made it to this year’s UPSC CSE topper list.

Donuru Ananya Reddy

In the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Ananya Reddy, the female UPSC 2023 Topper, received an All India Rank 3.

Ananya hails from Telangana's Mahabubnagar district. She completed her BA (Hons) in Geography from Miranda House, one of the prestigious women's colleges of Delhi University. She is the first person from her family to crack the civil services examination with such an elite position.

Ananya devoted herself to the preparation for almost 12 to 14 hours every day. She took classes in Anthropology course in Hyderabad, although spent most of her time in self-study. Ananya's dedication to civil services and her passion for community service inspired her to pursue a career in public services, highlighting the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and purpose in overcoming challenges and promoting societal welfare.

Ruhani

The 5th Ranked UPSC Topper 2023, Ruhani has established herself in the elite Civil Services Examination (CSE). She cracked the CSE 2022 exams previously and was assigned to the IPS and at present she is undergoing training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).

Ruhani hails from Haryana and carries an astonishing background in the field of governmental examinations. She spent three years working for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and All India Rank (AIR) 5. Her tenacity, knowledge, and dedication brought her this success. Ruhani's public service achievements demonstrate the transformative impact of individuals who showcase commitment, analytical skills, and determination toward public welfare.

Srishti Dabas

The 6th rank holder among the top ten of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, is Srishti Dabas. She achieved this remarkable feat without any formal coaching or tutors. Srishti completed her schooling and higher studies in Delhi and works in Mumbai for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). She currently manages employee appraisals at RBI's Human Resources Department. She spent her days working in the firm and her nights studying hard for the competitive exam. Her prominent dedication and self-control paid off as she secured the 6th position in the CSE 2023 exams. In addition to her studies, she is a passionate Kathak dancer. Her commitment and diverse interests highlight her well-rounded personality.

Anmol Rathore

Anmol Rathore from Udrana, a secluded village in Jammu and Kashmir has clinched the 7th spot in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. She graduated from Gandhinagar's Gujarat National Law University with a law degree and later cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) examination in 2022 with 1st rank. Her unwavering commitment and diligence provided her accomplishment in the UPSC civil services exams as she never went to coaching institutes rather, she focused on the main test series and used free resources available on online platforms like YouTube and Telegram. Anmol's parents influenced her to pursue a career in civil services, guiding her toward self-study and determination to resolve issues independently.

Nausheen

Nausheen, the AIR 9 rank holder at the UPSC CSE 2023 examinations is being widely acclaimed her her persistent performance and perseverance. She hails from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, and completed her studies at Delhi University's Khalsa College. Her mother is a homemaker and her father is the Director of Prasar Bharti. Before securing the rank at the prestigious exam, she made four attempts. After completing her graduation in 2019, she appeared for the civil services exams in 2020 and 2021, clearing prelims and mains. Later, she enrolled at Jamia Millia Islamia's Residential Coaching Academy for guidance and competitive spirit. Nausheen's unwavering determination remained steadfast despite facing several setbacks, stating that if she hadn't cracked the exam this year, she would have attempted it again next year.

Aishwaryam Prajapati

Determination and Diligence were the most significant factors for AIR 10 rank holder Aishwaryam Prajapati. She achieved this feat at the UPSC CSE 2023 examination as she determined of it in her early school days. Hailing from Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, she attended Rani Lakshmibai Senior Secondary School. Further, she pursued her B.Tech at NIT Uttarakhand. She did not focus on the number of hours studying rather she believed in quality learning. She found that books, newspapers, and practice answer writing were more beneficial along with standard study tools. She has also worked at L&T for 18 months before securing a 10th rank in the UPSC exam. She emphasized the importance of hard work, patience, and a clear vision for success.