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Those who topped UPSC in the past 20 years are mostly working as IAS officers in different parts of India, and their careers' orientation is determined by their performance in the field rather than their All India Rank. Other recent toppers such as Anuj Agnihotri (2025), Shakti Dubey (2024), and Aditya Srivastava (2023) are under training or are recently posted.

The most common positions of mid-to-senior-level veterans are those of district magistrates, secretaries, or state/central secretariats, as in the case of Anudeep Durishetty (2017), Tina Dabi (2015), and Ira Singhal (2014). Most are focused on solving local challenges rather than fame.

Pathways were different: some of them kept it low and provided silent governance, whereas others were controversial or influencers. A prominent example was that of resignation and placing back into service. Experts observe that there is no direct correlation between passing the exam at the top and great long-lasting success—success is what is earned on the ground.

They are still today involved in the administration, policy, and service of the people, showing that the rank is not the end of the road.