Raghav Jhunjhunwala at the age of 25, an alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, secured All India Rank (AIR) 04 in the UPSC CSE 2025 in his 3rd attempt with Economics as his optional subject. He achieved this outstanding achievement and showed continuous progress through his earlier attempts.
His journey from clearing prelims to missing later stages in earlier attempts reached its peak when he achieved Rank 4 in 2025. This achievement serves as an inspiring example of disciplined preparation which civil services aspirants can follow.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Raghav Jhunjhunwala |
| UPSC Examination | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 |
| All India Rank (AIR) | 04 |
| Hometown | Muzaffarpur |
| State | Bihar |
| Attempt in UPSC | 3rd |
| Graduation Degree | B.A. (Honours) in Economics |
| College | Shri Ram College of Commerce |
| Optional Subject in UPSC Mains | Economics |
| Preparation Approach | Limited resources, regular revision, mock tests, and structured answer writing |
Raghav Jhunjhunwala, hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan and comes from a supportive middle-class family that emphasized education and public service. A bright student since childhood, he completed his schooling in Jaipur and later pursued higher education in economics and public policy. Motivated by public service, he began UPSC preparation after graduation, building strong basics through NCERTs, standard books, current affairs, and consistent answer-writing practice, ultimately achieving outstanding success.
The marks of UPSC CSE 2025 topper Raghav Jhunjhunwala (AIR-04) reflects a strong performance in both the written examination and the personality test.
| Name | Written Marks | Interview Marks | Total Marks | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAGHAV JHUNJHUNWALA | 847 | 195 | 1042 | 4 |
1. Start with Strong Basics
Students should first study NCERT textbooks to establish fundamental knowledge before they proceed to study advanced reference books.
2. Limit Study Resources
Students should study from selected standard books which they need to review multiple times instead of gathering excessive study materials.
3. Make Concise Notes
Students should create brief notes which cover essential subjects and current events to facilitate their examination preparation.
4. Read Newspaper Daily
Students should read a trusted national newspaper which helps them learn about current news while associating it with the UPSC syllabus.
5. Practice Prelims Mock Tests
Students should take practice tests on a regular basis which will help them develop their skills in accuracy and time management and elimination methods.
6. Write Answers Regularly
The practice of writing answers every day helps students develop their analytical skills while improving their performance in Mains exams.
7. Use Diagrams and Flowcharts
Students should use diagrams and maps and flowcharts to present their answers because these visual elements make their explanations clearer and more effective.
8. Revise Multiple Times
The process of regular revision helps students retain information while they build a deeper understanding of the material.
9. Prepare Thoroughly for the Interview
Candidates must study every aspect of their Detailed Application Form DAF while developing objective views about important topics.
10. Stay Consistent and Motivated
The UPSC preparation requires students to maintain discipline which includes studying according to their daily schedule while they stay focused during their entire preparation process.
Raghav Jhunjhunwala achieved first place in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 after passing his exams to become a successful candidate. His achievement reflects perseverance, disciplined preparation, and consistent improvement through multiple attempts.
Raghav Jhunjhunwala belongs to Muzaffarpur. His success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination results from the academic dedication and determination he developed during his childhood years in Bihar.
During the journey of UPSC preparation, Raghav Jhunjhunwala had taken Economics Optional Foundation Course and GS Mains Advance Course from NEXT IAS. These Courses play a significant role in the preparation of UPSC Civil services i e mains or interview.
The applied weightage of GS Mains Advance Course is significantly higher in the mains because answers are to be written with a static cum current approach. The knowledge of current issues is essential for the final stage i.e Personality Test or Interview. Our Economics Optional Foundation Course and GS Mains Advance Course connect the current issues with the static syllabus, improving analytical writing.
Approximately 40–50% of the UPSC syllabus, especially Polity, Economy, International Relations, Environment, and Social Issues, can be effectively supplemented through these courses, making revision and answer enrichment easier for Mains, and Essay preparation.