Gujarat: SPIPA records its best year yet with 34 candidates clearing UPSC

Ahmedabad: A total of 34 candidates, including two women, trained at Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA), made it to the list of 958 successful candidates for various all-India services released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday.Dishant Nisar clinched All-India Rank (AIR) 19, emerging as one of the top performers from the state. SPIPA director general Hareet Shukla told TOI that the institute saw 26 selections in 2023 and 27 in 2024. "This year, we have the highest number of successful candidates from the institute. It shows the improved awareness and preparation among aspirants from Gujarat," he said.
SPIPA officials said 272 candidates were selected for the Mains exam in Aug last year. Of these, 82 qualified for the personality test and interview held from Dec 2025 to Feb 2026, and 34 were finally selected."From Nov last year to Feb this year, SPIPA conducted personality test classes, including 15 mock interviews and four lectures. All mock interviews were recorded and shared with candidates. Each candidate also received Rs 25,000 (boys) and Rs 30,000 (girls)," the release said.Bhavesh Jaglan, son of an armed forces officer, secured AIR 128. "I began preparing in 2022, inspired by a govt-scheme internship that gave me first-hand exposure to civil services and helped me understand what the exam demands." In the interview, he answered questions on major upcoming sports events in Gujarat and the bullet train project, among other topics.Jitendra Prajapati secured AIR 287. He studied in Gandhidham, Kutch, and completed computer engineering in Vadodara. His father works as a contractor for a corporate canteen. He said the result was a dream come true as he hopes to join the IPS. "This achievement would not have been possible without my family's support. My younger sister, a chartered accountant, inspired me," he said.Pradip Parmar, son of a farmer from Gir Somnath, secured AIR 703. After completing his mechanical engineering from LD College of Engineering, he began preparing for the civil services. This was his fourth attempt. Though selected last year, he took the exam again to improve his rank. A native of Navsari, Mihir Patel, 26, currently serving as a sub-registrar (Grade 1), in Surat, cleared the exam in his fifth attempt, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 709 after nearly six years of persistent preparation. Patel attributed his success to disciplined preparation, a positive mindset, and the support of a close circle of friends who constantly motivated and guided him during the preparation phase.He said that his late father, Rajendra Patel, played a significant role in shaping his aspirations. "At my father's insistence, I developed the habit of reading newspapers regularly since childhood. I often read articles written by collectors, commissioners and senior police officials, and their stories of struggle and hard work inspired me to pursue civil services," he said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !