2 from Delhi make it to Top 20 in UPSC results

New Delhi: Two bright minds from Delhi made the capital proud by securing positions in the top 20 of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.
For Aakash Garg, who clinched the 5th rank nationwide, it was all about goal-oriented preparation. "I never believed in counting hours. I studied with intent and purpose," said Garg (24), who is the only candidate from Delhi among the top five. A graduate in computer science from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Garg made the cut in his second attempt. His father is a businessman, his mother a homemaker, and his elder sister lives in Ghaziabad. The youngest of two siblings, Garg completed his schooling at Gitarattan Jindal Public School until Class X and CRPF Public School for the remaining two years in Rohini.
He credits his parents for being his pillars of strength. "Their encouragement kept me going," he said. Looking ahead, Garg is keen to contribute to the education and healthcare sectors through his role in the civil services.
Joining him on the success list is Saumya Mishra, who secured the 18th rank in her fourth attempt. A resident of Bhajanpura, currently living in Mirzapur, Saumya also swears by quality over quantity in preparation. "I never fixed study hours. I focused on topics, not time," she shared.
For Saumya, the civil services were a calling. "It's a platform that allows you to truly make a difference in people's lives. That's what drew me in," she said. An alumna of Kirorimal College, Delhi University, Saumya later pursued her postgraduation from the Delhi School of Economics. Her father is a lecturer, and her mother is a homemaker.