UPSC 2026 Top 50 Rankers: Names, Attempts and Coaching Details

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For many UPSC aspirants, looking at the top rankers raises a few practical questions: How many attempts did they take? Which optional subjects did they choose? Where did they prepare, and did they join a coaching programme?

The information is usually scattered across coaching websites, topper interviews, news reports, and result pages. To make it easier to compare, we researched the Top 50 UPSC rankers whose final result was announced in 2026, including their attempts, education, marks, publicly reported primary classroom coaching, and secondary preparation.

The result is officially for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, which was announced on March 6, 2026. A total of 958 candidates were recommended for appointment, with Anuj Agnihotri securing AIR 1.

UPSC 2026 Top 50 Rankers List

• Vajiram & Ravi has a strong presence among this year's rankers, but the type of support varied, from classroom preparation and optional-subject programmes to test series and interview guidance. Check Vajiram and Ravi's fees, results, facilities, classroom photos, and videos on AcademyCheck: Vajiram and Ravi

• Vision IAS appears across several different preparation journeys in the Top 50. While some candidates used its classroom foundation programme, others relied on Abhyaas, test series, mentoring, or personality development. Check Vision IAS' fees, results, facilities, classroom photos, and videos on AcademyCheck: Vision IAS

• The Top 50 data also shows that NEXT IAS was used in different ways, including GS preparation, current affairs, optional-subject courses, and interview guidance. Check NEXT IAS' fees, results, facilities, classroom photos, and videos on AcademyCheck: NEXT IAS

• Vajirao & Reddy also features in the preparation journeys of several high-ranking candidates. Rather than treating every association as classroom coaching, we have separated the programmes and preparation support reported for each student. Check Vijaro and Reddy's fees, results, facilities, classroom photos, and videos on AcademyCheck: Vijaro and Reddy

• Some candidates combined self-study with targeted programmes instead of following a single full-time coaching route. Legacy IAS Academy, for example, appears in the preparation records through interview guidance and other support. Check Legacy IAS' fees, results, facilities, classroom photos, and videos on AcademyCheck: Legacy IAS Academy

UPSC 2026 Top 50 Rankers: Individual Profiles

AIR 1 - AIR 10

AIR 1: Anuj Agnihotri

• Marks: 1,071

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: No classroom coaching

• Secondary Resources: Legacy IAS IGP, NEXT IAS CA-VA, Vajirao & Reddy IGP

Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in his third attempt. He prepared alongside his medical internship and later worked as a DANICS probationer.

AIR 2: Rajeshwari Suve M

• Marks: 1,067

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi programmes

Rajeshwari Suve M secured AIR 2 after five attempts, using multiple Vajiram & Ravi preparation programmes.

AIR 3: Akansh Dhull

• Marks: 1,057

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Vajiram & Ravi GS Classroom Programme

• Secondary Resources: Not publicly confirmed

Akansh Dhull secured AIR 3 in his third attempt. He had previously secured AIR 342 in 2023 and AIR 295 in 2024.

AIR 4: Raghav Jhunjhunwala

• Marks: 1,042

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Raghav Jhunjhunwala secured AIR 4 in his second attempt, with Economics as his optional subject.

AIR 5: Ishan Bhatnagar

• Marks: 1,038

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Sociology Optional Crash Course, Enrichment Programme, Prelims CAMP and IGP

Ishan Bhatnagar secured AIR 5 in his second attempt after previously securing AIR 276 in 2023.

AIR 6: Zinnia Aurora

• Marks: 1,037

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Module, Prelims Test Series and IGP

Zinnia Aurora secured AIR 6 after four attempts. She had previously secured AIR 156 in 2024.

AIR 7: A R Rajah Mohaideen

• Marks: 1,035

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

A R Rajah Mohaideen secured AIR 7 in his third attempt, with Anthropology as his optional subject.

AIR 8: Pakshal Secretry

• Marks: 1,035

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: NEXT IAS and Vajiram & Ravi preparation programmes

Pakshal Secretry secured AIR 8 after three attempts. His preparation included programmes from major UPSC preparation institutes.

AIR 9: Astha Jain

• Marks: 1,033

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Astha Jain secured AIR 9 after three attempts. She had previously secured AIR 131 in 2023 and AIR 186 in 2024.

AIR 10: Ujjwal Priyank

• Marks: 1,033

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Ujjwal Priyank secured AIR 10 in his third attempt, with Sociology as his optional subject.

AIR 11 - AIR 20

AIR 11: Yashaswi Raj Vardhan

• Marks: 1,032

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Yashaswi Raj Vardhan secured AIR 11 in his second attempt. His preparation included Vajiram & Ravi's Interview Guidance Programme.

AIR 12: Akshit Bhardwaj

• Marks: 1,031

• Attempts: 1st

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Prelims CAMP, General Studies and IGP

Akshit Bhardwaj secured AIR 12 on his first attempt, making him one of the first-attempt candidates in the Top 50.

AIR 13: Ananya Sharma

• Marks: 1,028

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Ananya Sharma secured AIR 13 in her second attempt, with Sociology as her optional subject.

AIR 14: Surabhi Yadav

• Marks: 1,027

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Answer Writing and IGP

Surabhi Yadav secured AIR 14 with History as her optional and used Ethics Answer Writing and interview guidance programmes.

AIR 15: Simrandeep Kaur

• Marks: 1,026

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Simrandeep Kaur secured AIR 15 after three attempts, with PSIR as her optional subject.

AIR 16: Monika Srivastava

• Marks: 1,025

• Attempts: 6th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Module, Sure Shot Mains, Essay and SMART Current Affairs

Monika Srivastava secured AIR 16 after six attempts. She had previously secured AIR 455 in 2023.

AIR 17: Chitwan Jain

• Marks: 1,025

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Not publicly confirmed

Chitwan Jain secured AIR 17 in his third attempt, with Philosophy as his optional subject.

AIR 18: Sruthii R

• Marks: 1,025

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi General Studies and Sociology programmes

Sruthii R secured AIR 18 in her second attempt with Sociology as her optional subject.

AIR 19: Nisar Dishant Amrutlal

• Marks: 1,024

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Nisar Dishant Amrutlal secured AIR 19 after three attempts, with PSIR as his optional subject.

AIR 20: Ravi Raaz

• Marks: 1,024

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Not publicly confirmed

Ravi Raaz improved from AIR 182 in 2024 to AIR 20 in 2025, with History as his optional subject.

AIR 21 - AIR 30

AIR 21: Shubham Singh

• Marks: 1,024

• Attempts: 6th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Module and Answer Writing

Shubham Singh secured AIR 21 after six attempts. His preparation relied heavily on self-study, peer discussions and test-based evaluation.

AIR 22: Geetika Arora

• Marks: 1,023

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Pratibha Setu preparation support

Geetika Arora secured AIR 22 after four attempts. She had missed Prelims in her first attempt before eventually reaching the Top 50.

AIR 23: Jeenu Sri Jaswanth Chandra

• Marks: 1,023

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Jeenu Sri Jaswanth Chandra secured AIR 23 after a five-attempt UPSC journey that began in 2020.

AIR 24: Ifra Shams Ansari

• Marks: 1,022

• Attempts: Not publicly reported

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Abhyaas Prelims

Ifra Shams Ansari secured AIR 24 and is associated with Jamia Millia Islamia's Residential Coaching Academy.

AIR 25: Bhavika Chopra

• Marks: 1,022

• Attempts: At least 2

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: APTI Plus / LevelUp IAS preparation resources

Bhavika Chopra improved from AIR 476 to AIR 25 and switched from Economics to Sociology as her optional subject.

AIR 26: Ishita Sharma

• Marks: 1,021

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Personality Development

Ishita Sharma secured AIR 26 after two earlier Prelims failures and later missing selection by 14 marks.

AIR 27: Vikas

• Marks: 1,021

• Attempts: 6th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Module, IGP, SMART Current Affairs, PSIR Mains Test, Essay, and Sure Shot

Vikas secured AIR 27 after six attempts, combining self-study with test series and preparation programmes.

AIR 28: Prachi Honey

• Marks: 1,021

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Interview Programme

Prachi Honey secured AIR 28 after clearing Prelims on her fourth attempt following three consecutive failures.

AIR 29: Nabiya Parvez

• Marks: 1,020

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy

• Secondary Resources: Not publicly confirmed

Nabiya Parvez secured AIR 29 after five attempts. She is from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.

AIR 30: Nikita Verma

• Marks: 1,020

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Not publicly confirmed

Nikita Verma secured AIR 30 after two earlier Prelims failures.

AIR 31 - AIR 40

AIR 31: Aryan Yadav

• Marks: 1,020

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: VisionIAS

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Classroom GS Foundation Course

Aryan Yadav secured AIR 31 in his second attempt and was associated with VisionIAS's Classroom GS Foundation programme.

AIR 32: Utkarsh

• Marks: 1,019

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Edukemy Geography Optional MSP

Utkarsh secured AIR 32 in his second attempt. His Geography optional preparation included Edukemy's MSP programme.

AIR 33: Mayank Purohit

• Marks: 1,019

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi Ethics Answer Writing

Mayank Purohit secured AIR 33 after five attempts and had previously worked at Capgemini.

AIR 34: Nancy Singh

• Marks: 1,018

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: NEXT IAS

Nancy Singh secured AIR 34 in her second attempt, with Sociology as her optional subject.

AIR 35: Vaibhavi Agrawal

• Marks: 1,018

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi and VisionIAS programmes

Vaibhavi Agrawal secured AIR 35 after previously reaching the interview stage. She scored 311/500 in Mathematics.

AIR 36: Deepali Mahto

• Marks: 1,017

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP

Deepali Mahto improved from AIR 105 in 2024 to AIR 36 in 2025.

AIR 37: Sakshi Jain

• Marks: 1,017

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Abhyaas and online preparation resources

Sakshi Jain secured AIR 37 after five attempts and four interview appearances. She had previously worked as a financial analyst.

AIR 38: Deepanshu Jindal

• Marks: 1,016

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Vajiram & Ravi IGP and Ethics programmes

Deepanshu Jindal secured AIR 38 after three attempts. He had previously cleared a state civil services examination.

AIR 39: Rohin Kumar

• Marks: 1,016

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: ForumIAS MGP and ATS Geography; Vajirao & Reddy programmes

Rohin Kumar secured AIR 39 after five attempts, with Geography as his optional subject.

AIR 40: Diksha Rai

• Marks: 1,015

• Attempts: 5th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: NEXT IAS CA-VA and Test Series

Diksha Rai improved from AIR 374 in 2022 to AIR 40. She had also joined the Indian Defence Accounts Service during her UPSC journey.

AIR 41 - AIR 50

AIR 41: Sudipa Dutta

• Marks: 1,015

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS, Sarrthi IAS and Vajiram & Ravi programmes

Sudipa Dutta secured AIR 41 in her third attempt. Her preparation was largely self-driven and supported by test series and mentoring.

AIR 42: Apurva Verma

• Marks: 1,015

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS GS Mains, PSIR and Abhyaas programmes; PW resources and mentorship

Apurva Verma secured AIR 42 after previously entering the civil services in 2021 and later continuing her UPSC preparation.

AIR 43: Rupal Jaiswal

• Marks: 1,014

• Attempts: 3rd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Daksha Mains Mentoring and Personality Development

Rupal Jaiswal improved from AIR 512 in 2024 to AIR 43 in 2025 after working at a law firm.

AIR 44: Deeksha Chourasiya

• Marks: 1,014

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Anantam IAS, Vajiram & Ravi and VisionIAS programmes

Deeksha Chourasiya secured AIR 44 after four attempts, using online courses, answer-writing and test-series support.

AIR 45: Priya Singh Chauhan

• Marks: 1,014

• Attempts: 6th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: Legacy IAS Self Learning and Mentorship

Priya Singh Chauhan secured AIR 45 after six attempts and five consecutive Prelims failures. She had also worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

AIR 46: Shambhavi Tiwari

• Marks: 1,013

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: NEXT IAS CA-VA and Test Series; VisionIAS GS Foundation

Shambhavi Tiwari improved from AIR 445 in 2024 to AIR 46 in 2025.

AIR 47: Preeti Chauhan

• Marks: 1,013

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: UnderStand UPSC Sociology

Preeti Chauhan secured AIR 47 after improving from AIR 140 in her first attempt.

AIR 48: Aniket Ranjan

• Marks: 1,013

• Attempts: 4th

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: NEXT IAS GS Mains Advance; VisionIAS GS Foundation

Aniket Ranjan improved from AIR 857 to AIR 48 and had previously worked in the IRS.

AIR 49: Tarun Kumar Yadav

• Marks: 1,013

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: LevelUp IAS Current Affairs Programme and GS Prelims AMAC; VisionIAS Personality Development

Tarun Kumar Yadav improved from AIR 203 in his first attempt to AIR 49. His preparation included LevelUp IAS's Current Affairs and GS Prelims programmes.

AIR 50: Ishitwa Anand

• Marks: 1,011

• Attempts: 2nd

• Primary Classroom Coaching: Not publicly confirmed

• Secondary Resources: VisionIAS Abhyaas Prelims, GS Mains & Essay and Personality Development

Ishitwa Anand secured AIR 50 while still in college. Her preparation included VisionIAS Abhyaas and Personality Development programmes.

What Can Aspirants Learn From the Top 50?

The Top 50 show that UPSC success does not follow one fixed route.

• Attempts vary: The list includes both first-attempt and six-attempt candidates.

• Optional subjects vary: Sociology, PSIR, Geography, Mathematics and Anthropology appear frequently, but many other subjects are also represented.

• Coaching varies: Toppers used classroom courses, test series, optional programmes, mentorship and interview guidance.

• Previous attempts can lead to improvement: Several candidates moved significantly higher in the final ranking after earlier attempts.

The goal should not be to copy one topper's strategy. Instead, aspirants can use these profiles to understand different approaches and choose what fits their own preparation.

How to Read the Coaching Details

Coaching information in this article is divided into primary classroom coaching and secondary preparation resources. A classroom programme is listed as primary coaching only when the available evidence confirms that the candidate attended it. Online courses, test series, interview guidance, mentorship and other preparation resources are listed separately as secondary resources.

Where a candidate's classroom coaching could not be verified from reliable sources, we have marked it as “Not publicly confirmed” rather than making an assumption.

FAQs

Q1. Who secured AIR 1 in UPSC 2026?

Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 with 1,071 marks in the UPSC CSE 2025 final result announced in 2026.

Q2. Who are the Top 5 UPSC rankers in 2026?

The Top 5 are Anuj Agnihotri, Rajeshwari Suve M, Akansh Dhull, Raghav Jhunjhunwala and Ishan Bhatnagar.

Q3. How many attempts did the Top 50 UPSC rankers take?

The Top 50 include candidates who cleared UPSC in their first attempt as well as candidates who took up to six attempts.

Q4. Which optional subjects are common among the Top 50?

Sociology, PSIR, Geography, Mathematics, History and Anthropology are among the most frequently represented optional subjects.

Sources and Corrections

The rankings and marks in this article were verified using official UPSC result and marks records. Attempts, education and preparation details were cross-checked through topper interviews, coaching institute profiles, institute result pages and other publicly available sources.

Where multiple sources reported different preparation details, we used the most specific and verifiable information available. Details that could not be confidently confirmed have been marked as “Not publicly confirmed” rather than estimated.

If you notice an incorrect or outdated detail, please contact AcademyCheck with the relevant source so the information can be reviewed and corrected.

Note: If any coaching institute finds their details to be incorrect, please accept our apologies. You can share the correct information along with the blog link on our WhatsApp number: 8287604941.

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