List of famous people who cleared UPSC exam but didn't join

Ram Nath Kovind: Former Indian President had successfully cleared the UPSC civil services exam in his third attempt. However, he was allotted allied services and hence did not join the services.

Kapil Sibal: The Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer had successfully qualified for the UPSC exam. He was allotted to IAS, however, he wanted to join the IFS. Hence, he rejected the offer and went on to pursue law at Harvard Law School.

MS Swaminathan: Popularly known as father of the Green Revolution in India, he cracked UPSC and qualified for the IPS. But, he chose to take up a fellowship with UNESCO at the Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands

TR Andhyarujina: He was an Indian lawyer and jurist. He had been selected for the IFS in 1958 but instead chose to pursue law.  He was the Solicitor General of India from 1996 to 1998.