De Facto IAS - Law Optional Website

Law Optional Topper Stories

16 topper stories from De Facto IAS students, from UPSC CSE 2021 to CSE 2025. Each story links to the topper’s interview and answer copies where they exist.

CSE 2025 CSE 2024 CSE 2023 CSE 2021 All results

CSE 2025

Rupal Jaiswal
AIR 43 · CSE 2025

When a candidate clears the Civil Services Examination after multiple years of effort, what usually stands out is not only the rank, but the maturity of the journey behind it.

Read story: Rupal Jaiswal Watch interview: Rupal Jaiswal Download topper’s copy: Rupal Jaiswal
Devansh Gupta
AIR 77 · CSE 2025

Success in the Civil Services Examination is rarely the result of a single breakthrough moment.

Read story: Devansh Gupta Watch interview: Devansh Gupta Download topper’s copy: Devansh Gupta
Mansi Gupta
AIR 78 · CSE 2025

National Law School of India

The Civil Services Examination often witnesses candidates from diverse academic backgrounds.

Read story: Mansi Gupta Watch interview: Mansi Gupta Download topper’s copy: Mansi Gupta
Kirti
AIR 304 · CSE 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of the most challenging and prestigious examinations in India.

Read story: Kirti Watch interview: Kirti Download topper’s copy: Kirti
Chinmaiee P
AIR 310 · CSE 2025

Preparing for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission is one of the most demanding academic journeys in India.

Read story: Chinmaiee P Watch interview: Chinmaiee P Download topper’s copy: Chinmaiee P
Shruti Ola
AIR 329 · CSE 2025

The journey to the Civil Services is rarely linear.

Read story: Shruti Ola Watch interview: Shruti Ola Download topper’s copy: Shruti Ola
Adarsh Pandey
AIR 347 · CSE 2025

City Academy Law College

Choosing Law Optional for UPSC is often a difficult decision for many aspirants.

Read story: Adarsh Pandey Watch interview: Adarsh Pandey Download topper’s copy: Adarsh Pandey
Manish Kumar
AIR 744 · CSE 2025

Every year thousands of aspirants attempt the Civil Services Examination, but only a few make it to the final list.

Read story: Manish Kumar Watch interview: Manish Kumar Download topper’s copy: Manish Kumar
Aditya Dhiman
AIR 753 · CSE 2025

National Law Institute University, Bhopal

For many UPSC aspirants, success stories often feel distant.

Read story: Aditya Dhiman Watch interview: Aditya Dhiman Download topper’s copy: Aditya Dhiman

CSE 2024

Kshitij Aditya Sharma
AIR 58 · CSE 2024

In an in-depth conversation with Aditya Tiwari Sir, Kshitij Aditya Sharma — who secured an outstanding AIR 58 in UPSC CSE 2024 with Law Optional UPSC — shared his detailed preparation journey, strategies, mindset shifts, and advice for aspirants.

Read story: Kshitij Aditya Sharma Download topper’s copy: Kshitij Aditya Sharma

CSE 2023

Anmol Rathore
AIR 7 · CSE 2023

Anmol is a graduate of GNLU and cleared the civil services examination in her third attempt.

Read story: Anmol Rathore Watch interview: Anmol Rathore Download topper’s copy: Anmol Rathore
Kshitij Sharma
AIR 384 · CSE 2023

I graduated in law from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, in 2019.

Read story: Kshitij Sharma Watch interview: Kshitij Sharma
Priyanka Priyadarshini
AIR 387 · CSE 2023

Priyanka Priyadarshini, is Graduate of National Law University Odisha , She opted law optional as her natural choice and in first mains she got rank.

Read story: Priyanka Priyadarshini Watch interview: Priyanka Priyadarshini