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Panchkula’s Akansh Dhull secures AIR 3, self-study & discipline key constants

Dhull, a resident of Panchkula’s Sector 12-A, says his next goal is to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and serve the country.

2 min readPanchkulaMar 7, 2026 10:44 AM IST

Panchkula’s Akansh Dhull secures AIR 3, self-study & discipline key constants

Akansh Dhull from Panchkula secured the third rank in the civil services examination. (Express photo)

A combined routine of consistent preparation, a disciplined study plan along with focus and a strategic approach to the examination is what helped Panchkula’s Akansh Dhull secure All India Rank (AIR) 3 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

Dhull, a resident of Panchkula’s Sector 12-A, says his next goal is to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and serve the country.

He has been preparing for the civil services since 2021 and steadily improved his performance with each attempt.

In 2024, he secured AIR 342, followed by AIR 295 in the next attempt. Eventually, he made a significant leap to secure the third rank in the country this year. He attended coaching classes for his UPSC preparation in Delhi.

Currently undergoing training in Shimla, Dhull returned to Panchkula on Friday after the results were declared. He was welcomed by his family and friends.

He had decided that he wanted to pursue a career in civil services soon after completing his Class 12, Akansh’s father, Krishna Dhull, said. His family said he always aspired to do something meaningful and believed that serving in the civil services would allow him to contribute positively to society.

Akansh’s mother, Nirmal Dhull, works in the education department and is the principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, Chandigarh. His father is a senior leader associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is also the president of the Haryana Archery Association.

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Akansh completed his Class 10 Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, and Class 12 from St Kabir Public School, Sector 26. He graduated with a BA (Hons) from Shri Ram College of Commerce under the University of Delhi.

Following the announcement of the results, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called Krishna Dhull to congratulate the family. He posted on X: “Akansh Dhull, a meritorious son of Panchkula, has brought glory to Haryana by securing the third position across the country in the UPSC Civil Services Examination-2025…”

He also extended best wishes to all candidates who succeeded in the civil services examination, the results of which were declared by the UPSC.

– With PTI inputs

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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