3 from Patiala dist among UPSC top 100
Not merely known for its famed Patiala peg, the royal city has once again scripted a proud academic moment, with three candidates from the city figuring among the top 100 in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.
Renowned for its long academic tradition, Patiala has once again demonstrated the strength of its educational ecosystem. Of the eight candidates from the region who cleared the examination this year, three belong to Patiala.
Among them, Simrandeep Kaur (25) secured All India Rank (AIR) 15. Celebrations broke out at her residence in Birarhwal village near Nabha as relatives and villagers gathered to congratulate her parents Kuldeep Singh and Amandeep Kaur, and her uncle Jagdeep Singh. She belongs to a farming family with a medium landholding.
Rasneet Kaur (22), daughter of a PSPCL lineman, secured AIR 51, clearing the examination in her first attempt, while Jayant Garg (25) secured AIR 64.
Their success has prompted several former and serving civil servants and academicians associated with Patiala to reflect on how the city’s academic environment helped shape their careers.
Patiala has a strong record in the civil services. Several candidates from institutions such as Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology and Government Medical College have previously secured top ranks in the examination.
Soon after the results were declared, several serving and former bureaucrats recalled the city’s rich educational heritage. Patiala hosts a number of reputed institutions that have helped shape the careers of many civil servants and professionals who have excelled in their respective fields.
The city also offers a quieter environment compared to larger cities such as Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar, allowing aspirants to focus on their studies.
Former Additional Director General of Police Gurinder Singh Dhillon said Patiala had long been a centre of learning that nurtured aspirants preparing for competitive examinations.
“In 1988, when I decided to prepare for the civil services, I moved to Patiala. Since then, I have lived here and am a permanent resident of the city. It is my home and karam bhoomi. I served across Punjab and Chandigarh, but Patiala holds a special place in my heart,” he said.
Retired surgeon and professor Dr Pyare Lal Garg said Patiala once offered a vibrant ecosystem for students preparing for competitive examinations.
“With premier institutions such as Mahindra College, Modi College, Thapar Institute, Khalsa College and universities like Punjabi University, along with law, medical and physical education institutes, Patiala historically served as a hub of education and a melting pot of art and culture,” he said.
However, Garg noted that several of these institutions have witnessed a gradual decline over the years.
“At one point, students from across the region would come to Patiala to prepare for competitive examinations. Today, many aspirants have to move to other cities for coaching and guidance,” he added.
Observers say the success of the three candidates also reflects the city’s service-oriented culture, where families traditionally place a strong emphasis on education.
