Harshita Goyal UPSC: Haryana-Born, Gujarat-Raised Topper Bags Rank 2 in UPSC CSE Final Result 2024

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the final results of the Civil Services Examination 2024 on Tuesday.

Shakti Dubey topped the exam by securing the All India Rank 1, followed by Harshita Goyal at Rank 2 and Dongre Archit Parag at Rank 3.

Who Is Harshita Goyal?

Harshita Goyal has secured the second position AIR 2. Originally from Haryana, Harshita has been living in Vadodara, Gujarat, for several years. She was born in Haryana, after which her family moved to Vadodara. She grew up there and is a Chartered Accountant by qualification.

She graduated with a Bachelors in Commerce degree from MS University of Baroda. She also qualified with political science and international relations as her optional subject.

Speaking to the media, Harshita Goyal expressed, "I can't believe that I secured All India Rank 2. I have achieved my dream of becoming an IAS officer. I'm proud to have brought recognition to my family."

When asked how she managed to study, Harshita shared, "Consistency is key. One needs to dedicate specific hours to UPSC preparation. There are days when you don't feel like studying, and I don't believe in forceful study. I think it's important to find what works for you. Study what you love, rather than copying others. I used to take breaks when needed, and I made sure to incorporate that into my routine. It's essential to identify what works for you."

Regarding social media, Harshita said, "I was active on Instagram but didn't completely shut myself off from it. I followed accounts that offered valuable insights. Sometimes, what I read on Instagram actually helped me. For example, in the prelims, I came across a question I had seen on Instagram. It all depends on how much time you spend on it. If it distracts you, it's better to stay away."

The Civil Services Examination, conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is held in three stages - Preliminary, Main, and Interview - to select candidates for prestigious roles in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other allied services.

In the 2024 cycle, a total of 14,627 candidates qualified for the Main examination, conducted in September. Of them, 2,845 advanced to the final personality test (interview) stage.

Ultimately, the commission has recommended 1,009 candidates - 725 men and 284 women - for appointment to various civil services posts.

Among the top five rank holders this year are three women and two men, with diverse academic backgrounds from premier institutions such as IITs, VIT, JNU, the University of Delhi, and more.

Their optional subjects in the examination included a wide range, from anthropology, geography, and mathematics to political science and international relations, and public administration.

The list of recommended candidates also features 45 individuals with benchmark disabilities: 12 with orthopedic disabilities, 8 with visual impairments, 16 with hearing impairments, and 9 with multiple disabilities.