Women Account for Nearly One-Third of CSE 2025 Successes, Says Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on April 18, 2026 said the Civil Services Examination is becoming more inclusive, with women now making up more than 31% of the successful candidates in CSE 2025. Speaking at a felicitation event organised under the “Mission IAS” initiative of the Share India Smile Foundation in New Delhi, he said the changing gender profile of the civil services reflects wider access to opportunity in a more open and technology-enabled system.

According to the latest CSE 2025 data cited by the minister, 299 of the 958 recommended candidates are women. Dr Singh said this marks a notable rise from roughly 20% about a decade ago, indicating a steady expansion in women’s participation in one of the country’s most competitive examinations.

He also said the civil services are no longer limited to a narrow urban elite, with successful candidates increasingly coming from smaller towns, diverse linguistic backgrounds, and underprivileged regions. He attributed this shift to greater transparency, improved access to information, digital learning tools, and a more level playing field for aspirants across the country.

Highlighting broader reforms, the minister referred to the National Education Policy 2020 as a framework that allows students to align studies more closely with aptitude and interest. He also pointed to the government’s “Pratibha Setu” platform, which connects candidates who clear the interview stage but miss the final list with employers in the public and private sectors, helping retain and channel talent productively.

Dr Singh said the nature of public service is also evolving, with greater emphasis on adaptability, communication, continuous learning and direct engagement with citizens. He underlined integrity as the central value of civil service and urged successful candidates to serve with humility and commitment as India moves toward its 2047 development goals. The event was also attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra and MP Manoj Tiwari.

Source: PIB