Himachal Village to UPSC Rank 159: The Two-Front Success of Vikas Singh Panwar
Vikas Singh Panwar, 22, secured AIR 159 in UPSC CSE 2025 on his first attempt, months after winning ₹50 lakh on KBC.
At just 22, Vikas Singh Panwar has achieved a rare double: he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 with an All India Rank of 159 — and he did it on his very first attempt. Months before that result, he also walked away with ₹50 lakh in prize money on the television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).
His appearance on KBC Season 17, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan and aired in November 2025, added a striking chapter to his story. Vikas chose to quit at the ₹50 lakh question, declining to risk his winnings on a ₹1 crore question. Remarkably, when asked to guess the answer to the question he had skipped, he answered correctly — a display of knowledge and calm that foreshadowed his later success in the civil services exam.
During the show, Vikas shared a personal motivation: he wanted to use the prize money to repay the loan his father had taken for his education. He made this statement after winning just ₹15,000 early in the game, before his eventual ₹50 lakh haul.
From Himachal's hills to Delhi's classrooms
Vikas hails from Jubli village in Kupvi, Shimla district. After completing his schooling at DAV New Shimla School, he moved to Delhi for higher studies. He joined Hindu College at the University of Delhi, where he pursued a BA (Honours) in Political Science.
That subject choice became central to his UPSC strategy — he selected Political Science and International Relations as his optional subject. His academic record also includes qualifying for the UGC-NET exam, and he is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Political Science.
His father, Chater Singh, is a government school principal, which gave Vikas early exposure to education and public service.
A strong score and crucial support
Vikas's UPSC CSE 2025 performance was built on a total of 988 marks out of 2,025. His written exam contributed 787 marks, while the personality test added 201 marks — together securing his rank of 159.
UPSC preparation, especially for aspirants moving from a village to Delhi, often demands significant financial resources. Vikas received a full scholarship through NEXT IAS's National Scholarship Test, which enabled him to enrol in their structured coaching programme, including the GS Foundation Course and Current Affairs course. This support came at a crucial stage, helping him prepare systematically for his first attempt.
What makes Vikas's journey particularly striking is its range — from studying at a prominent Delhi college to winning television prize money, from qualifying for UGC-NET to cracking one of India's toughest competitive examinations. His story underscores how education and scholarships can genuinely transform opportunities for students from smaller towns and villages, enabling them to compete at the national level.