New Delhi, July 4 (IANS): Women scooped the top four ranks in the civil services exam results declared by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) on Saturday, officials said.

A total number of 1,236 candidates have been recommended for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and Central Services Group 'A' and Group 'B', the UPSC said.

Of the top five candidates, four are women - Ira Singhal (1), Renu Raj (2), Nishi Gupta (3) and Vandana Rao (4). Singhal is from Delhi.

It was for the first time that the final results were declared within four days of the closing date of the interviews.

Conducted by the UPSC annually in three stages -- preliminary, mains and interviews - the examination took place on August 24, 2014 at 2,137 venues at 59 centres across the country.

Of the 9.45 lakh candidates who applied, about 4.51 lakh were cleared to sit for the examination.

A total of 16,933 candidates qualified for the main examination which was held in December, 2014. A total of 1,364 posts have to be filled through the examination.