Ifra Shams Ansari secures 24th rank, inspiring minority youths, amid debate on equality and opportunity in the country
LUCKNOW – More than 50 candidates from Uttar Pradesh have cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2025, placing the state among the strongest contributors to India’s most competitive recruitment process. The results, announced a few days ago, show several candidates from the state securing top ranks across the country.
Among the successful candidates, Muslim aspirant Ifra Shams Ansari from Bhadohi secured the 24th rank, earning praise from many people in the state’s minority community who say her achievement reflects the determination of Muslim youth in India.
Overall, Uttar Pradesh produced six candidates in the top 30 ranks. These include Astha Jain from Shamli at ninth, Surabhi Yadav from Amroha at 14th, Monica Srivastava from Ballia at 16th, and Ifra Shams Ansari at 24th, along with Nikita Verma from Ghaziabad at 30th.
A total of 958 candidates passed the examination across the country, one of the most difficult public service exams in India.
Muslim Candidate Draws Praise
Ifra Shams Ansari’s success has attracted attention in many towns of eastern Uttar Pradesh. People in Bhadohi described her achievement as a source of pride for the local community.
A teacher in the town said the result sends a strong message to minority students. “This success proves that Muslim youth are capable of reaching the highest positions if they are given equal opportunities and support,” he said. “Ifra has become an inspiration for many girls in our area.”
Locals also gathered at her home to congratulate her family after the results were announced.
One neighbour said, “We are proud of her. She studied quietly and worked hard for many years. Today she has shown that dedication brings results.”
Interview Questions Test Candidates
Many candidates from Uttar Pradesh later spoke about the questions they faced during the interview stage of the examination.
Several candidates said the panel asked detailed questions about the state’s law and order situation, economic plans and development goals.
Shubham Singh Chandel from Jaunpur, who secured the 378th rank, said the panel asked him about the controversial practice sometimes described as “bulldozer justice”.
“They asked me how bulldozer justice will improve law and order in Uttar Pradesh and help the state achieve the one trillion-dollar economy target,” Shubham said.
He told the panel that stability and safety are important for economic growth.
“States that have law and order issues do not receive investments,” he said. “Where law and order is good, investors feel secure and bring investments.”
However, Shubham admitted that he did not know the latest state budget figures when the panel asked about them.
“I told them honestly that I did not know this year’s budget figure,” he said. “I knew last year’s budget was ₹8.08 lakh crore, but I had not checked the new one.”
Honest Answers Praised
Another candidate who drew attention was Surabhi Yadav from Amroha, who secured 14th rank in the country.
Surabhi said she chose to answer honestly when she did not know something during the interview.
“There were many questions in the interview about which I had no knowledge,” she said. “Instead of giving half or wrong answers, I thought it was better to say no.”
According to Surabhi, the panel asked her about international relations and airline privatisation.
“I did not have much information about those topics, so I clearly said that I did not know,” she said.
Later, the discussion moved to nuclear energy, even though Surabhi studied history. “The chairman said, ‘You are a history student but I want to ask you about the science behind nuclear energy. How does it function?’” she said.
Surabhi said she explained the basic mechanism.
“When they asked what fuel is used, I answered ‘Uranium-235’,” she said.
She also spoke about the difficulties she faced while preparing for the examination.
“During the Mains exam, I had typhoid and my eyes were swollen,” she said. “But I decided not to give up and continued writing the exam.”
Questions on National Issues
Tanya Singh from Deoria, who secured the 200th rank, said she was asked to imagine writing the President’s Republic Day speech.
“The panel asked me which three issues I would highlight in the speech,” she said.
Tanya replied that unemployment should be the first topic. “The youth of the country need jobs,” she said.
She added that poverty reduction and economic growth were also important subjects. “I said the speech should talk about what steps are being taken to remove poverty and also how the country is improving its GDP despite global economic problems,” Tanya explained.
She gave the example of trade agreements with European countries. “I spoke about India making free trade agreements with European countries after America imposed tariffs,” she said.
Questions About Global Work
Aditya Singh from Azamgarh, who secured the 508th rank, said his interview included questions about Uttar Pradesh and global politics. “The panel asked me to name five people from Uttar Pradesh who have received the Bharat Ratna,” he said.
They also asked about districts between Lucknow and Delhi and about government efforts to control Japanese Encephalitis in Purvanchal.
Aditya said one question surprised him.
“They asked if I would like to work abroad,” he said. “I replied that if I had a choice, I would work in China.”
When asked why, he told the panel: “China’s population is almost equal to India’s, and it uses its resources very efficiently. I said it would be interesting to learn from that.”
Fitness and Discipline
Harsh Nehra from Meerut, who secured the 74th rank, said the panel asked him about his age and health.
“As soon as I entered the room, one of the members said, ‘You were born in 2002, you are young and you look physically strong. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Harsh recalled.
He told the panel about his fitness routine.
“I said I do strength training every day to stay healthy,” he said.
The discussion then moved to development in Meerut.
“Connectivity is improving. Rapid Rail has come and travelling to Delhi is now easier,” Harsh said.
He added with a smile, “If Rapid Rail had started earlier, I might not have needed to stay in Delhi during my preparation.”
When asked about anger management, Harsh replied calmly. “I told them I am a calm person,” he said. “Problems should be solved with planning and patience, not anger.”
Technology Background Also Discussed
Monica Srivastava from Ballia, who secured 16th rank, said her interview focused largely on her technical background.
She studied at IIT Guwahati and previously worked as a software engineer at PayPal.
Monica said the panel asked questions about technology and public service. “They wanted to know how my experience in technology could help improve government systems,” she said.
Many teachers and social observers said the success of candidates like Ifra Shams Ansari is particularly meaningful for Muslim students, who often face social and economic challenges in India.
A community leader in Bhadohi said achievements like these give confidence to young people.
“Muslim students sometimes feel discouraged because of discrimination or lack of resources,” he said. “When someone from our community reaches the civil services, it sends a powerful message that education and determination can overcome many barriers.”
Parents in the area also expressed hope that the success would motivate more families to support higher education for girls.
A local parent said, “Girls from minority communities should study without fear. Ifra has shown that with hard work, it is possible to reach the highest positions.”
A Demanding Exam
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the most demanding recruitment processes in the country. Candidates go through three stages: the preliminary exam, the main written examination, and a final interview.
Those who pass join services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central government posts.
This year, the national list was topped by Anuj Agnihotri, followed by Rajeshwari Suve M in second place and Akansh Dhull in third.
Successful candidates will now undergo training before taking up their roles in government administration.
Many of them say the experience of the interview stage taught them the importance of honesty and calm thinking.
Surabhi Yadav summed it up in simple words. “If you do not know an answer, say you do not know,” she said. “But when you know something, explain it clearly.”
For many students across Uttar Pradesh, especially from minority communities, the achievements of candidates like Ifra Shams Ansari have already become a symbol of hope.
As one teacher in Bhadohi said, “These results remind young Muslims that education is their strongest path forward.”
