The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination remains the ultimate test of perseverance in India. Securing a spot among the 958 recommended candidates this year is a mammoth task, but doing it consistently across multiple attempts is nothing short of extraordinary. On March 6, 2026, Akansh Dhull etched his name in history by securing All India Rank (AIR) 3 in the UPSC CSE 2025.
What makes Akansh’s story incredibly powerful is his unyielding grit. He jumped from AIR 342 in 2023, to AIR 295 in 2024, and finally to AIR 3 in his fourth attempt. In this comprehensive breakdown, future aspirants will discover the exact roadmap, optional strategy, and the interview mindset that propelled this SRCC graduate to the top of the merit list.
The Success Story & Strategy of Akansh Dhull
Background & Journey: From SRCC to Dholpur House
Born in Rohtak and raised in the Chandigarh-Panchkula region, Akansh Dhull was an academic high achiever from the very beginning. He secured a 10/10 CGPA in his 10th grade and an impressive 98% in his 12th board exams. He then moved to Delhi to pursue B.Com (Honours) from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), graduating in 2022.
The defining moment in his journey came during his final year at DU. Despite having lucrative corporate placement opportunities at his fingertips, Akansh chose to skip campus placements entirely. He committed fully to his childhood dream of public service. His journey proves that while a privileged educational background helps build an analytical mindset, it is relentless hard work that bridges the gap between a rank in the 300s and a spot in the Top 3.
Preparation Strategy & Daily Routine
Akansh started his serious UPSC preparation in 2021. His approach shifted from merely “reading the syllabus” to actively “analyzing the exam” after his earlier attempts.
- Integrated Current Affairs: Instead of keeping current events isolated, he mapped daily news directly to static syllabus topics. For example, if a National Park was in the news, he would instantly update his Geography and Environment notes.
- CSAT Time Management: Akansh treated CSAT with the respect it deserves. He prioritized English Comprehension to secure quick marks before tackling complex Quantitative Aptitude questions.
- Daily Answer Writing: For Mains, he followed a strict Introduction-Body-Conclusion framework. He heavily utilized diagrams, maps, and flowcharts to make his answers visually scannable for the examiner.
- Choosing the Right Optional: Leveraging his SRCC background, Akansh chose Commerce & Accountancy as his optional subject. This gave him a solid, predictable scoring base and allowed him to capitalize on his existing graduation knowledge.
Recommended Books & Study Material
Akansh believed in the golden rule of UPSC: limit your sources and maximize your revisions. Here are the core resources that built his foundation:
- Polity: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth.
- Modern History: A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir).
- Foundational Knowledge: NCERTs (Class 6 to 12) for Geography, History, and Economy.
- Current Affairs: Daily reading of The Hindu and The Indian Express, supplemented by monthly compilations for structured revision.
- Optional Subject (Commerce): Standard graduation-level textbooks on financial accounting, corporate law, and business economics, heavily supplemented by Previous Year Questions (PYQs).
The Interview Experience / Personality Test
The most dramatic turnaround in Akansh’s UPSC 2025 marksheet was his Personality Test score. After scoring 140 marks in his 2024 interview, he completely revamped his approach to secure a staggering 193 marks in 2025.
The Panel & Atmosphere
Akansh faced an analytical and highly engaging interview board. The atmosphere was formal but encouraging. The panel’s objective was not to stress-test his factual memory—which had already been proven in Mains—but to evaluate his administrative aptitude, conviction, and maturity.
Types of Questions Asked
Given his unique profile and background, Akansh’s interview heavily revolved around his DAF and economic expertise.
- DAF & Personal Background: He was asked about his transition from a bustling commercial hub like SRCC to the administrative realm. Questions also touched upon the socio-economic challenges in his home state of Haryana, specifically regarding agriculture and youth employment.
- Situational & Subject-Specific (Commerce): The panel leveraged his degree to ask high-level economic questions. Examples included:
- “How can the government balance fiscal consolidation with heavy infrastructure spending?”
- “What are the major loopholes identified in recent CAG audit findings regarding public sector enterprises?”
- Opinion-Based & Current Affairs: He faced questions on current budgetary policies and the role of corporate governance in preventing financial frauds in India.
The Winning Approach
What separated Akansh in 2025 was his sheer confidence and composure. During tricky situational questions, he utilized the debating skills he honed at SRCC to structure his thoughts before speaking. When he encountered a highly specific factual question that he did not know, he gracefully admitted his lack of knowledge without breaking eye contact. He maintained a balanced, impartial tone, treating all opinions equally—a trait highly valued by the UPSC board.
Result Analysis & Competition
The 2025 cycle was notoriously tough, with shifting patterns in the Prelims and a highly analytical Mains paper. Out of nearly a million applicants, the commission recommended only 958 candidates.
Akansh secured a massive total of 1057 marks (864 in the Written Exam and 193 in the Interview). The general trend this year showed that candidates who had integrated, multi-disciplinary knowledge—like Akansh’s ability to fuse commerce with public administration—had a distinct edge over rote learners.
Roadmap for Future Aspirants
If you are starting your UPSC journey today, here are four actionable takeaways from AIR 3’s strategy:
- Play to Your Strengths: Do not blindly follow trends when choosing an optional. Choose a subject you already have a strong foundation in, just like Akansh did with Commerce & Accountancy.
- Mock Tests are Non-Negotiable: Give regular Prelims mock tests not just to score, but to learn the art of elimination. Analyze your mistakes meticulously.
- Document Your DAF Early: Treat your Detailed Application Form as a syllabus in itself. Prepare 360-degree questions on your hometown, graduation subject, and hobbies.
- Embrace the Process: A rank in the 300s is not a failure; it is stepping stone. Learn to self-correct after every attempt instead of changing your core study material.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Akansh Dhull?
Akansh Dhull is the All India Rank (AIR) 3 holder in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. He is a B.Com (Honours) graduate from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi.
Q2. How many attempts did Akansh Dhull take to clear UPSC?
He secured AIR 3 in his fourth attempt. He previously secured Rank 342 in 2023 and Rank 295 in 2024.
Q3. What was the optional subject of Akansh Dhull?
He chose Commerce and Accountancy as his optional subject, which aligned perfectly with his graduation background.
Q4. What were Akansh Dhull’s marks in UPSC 2025?
He scored a total of 1057 marks, which includes 864 marks in the Written Exam (Mains) and 193 marks in the Personality Test (Interview).
Q5. When did Akansh Dhull start his UPSC preparation?
He began his serious and focused UPSC preparation in 2021, right after completing his graduation.
I am Reena Sharma, a dedicated educator and mentor at PWIAS (Public Welfare IAS), where my mission is to simplify the journey to the civil services for aspirants across India. With a deep-rooted passion for public service and academic excellence, I specialize in crafting high-impact educational content and strategic roadmaps for UPSC and State PSC candidates.