UP woman tops UPSC exam, twin misses out

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 results released on Tuesday were a bittersweet experience for the Prayagraj-based Dubey family.

- K Sandeep Kumar and Prawesh Lama

NEW DELHI: While Shakti Dubey secured the first rank in the exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), her twin Pragati — who prepared for the exam along with her sister — was not among the 1,009 candidates recommended by the commission for appointments to various services.

Shakti, a gold medallist BSc graduate from the University of Allahabad, emerged as the topper in her fifth attempt. Her father Devendra Dubey, a sub-inspector in the Uttar Pradesh Police, said that Shakti — who is also a gold medallist for her MSc from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) — had been preparing for the exam for the past seven years.

Shakti, on Tuesday, told reporters that she owed her success to her parents and teachers. "Since childhood, my parents inspired me to study and teachers always encouraged me." she stated, adding that they supported her during her failed attempts.