Aditya Vikram Agarwal: UPSC AIR 09 2024 Biography, Education, Attempts, and more
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 was a showcase of determination and strategic preparation. Among the most inspiring stories was that of Aditya Vikram Agarwal, who clinched All India Rank 9. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur with a degree in Computer Science, Aditya transitioned from the world of technology to the realm of public administration, driven by a vision to reform governance and education.
Profile Overview
|
Attribute |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Aditya Vikram Agarwal |
|
Hometown |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
|
Age |
26 (as of 2025) |
|
Marital Status |
Unmarried |
|
Education |
B.Tech in Computer Science, IIT Kanpur |
|
UPSC Attempts |
Four |
|
Rank |
AIR 9 – UPSC CSE 2024 |
|
Optional Subject |
Public Administration |
|
Preferred Service |
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
|
Interests |
EdTech, Governance Innovation, Policy |
Early Life and Academic Background
Raised in a scholarly environment in Lucknow, Aditya exhibited a flair for logical reasoning and analytical thinking from a young age. His academic path led him to IIT Kanpur, where he earned his degree in Computer Science. However, his passion for systemic change and public service eventually inspired him to pursue the UPSC Civil Services.
Personal Life and UPSC Focus
Remaining unmarried, Aditya committed himself entirely to the UPSC preparation process. His emotional discipline and consistent support from family helped him navigate the ups and downs across four attempts. He often credits his mental resilience as a key driver of success.
Shift from Tech to Governance
Aditya initially explored opportunities in the private and startup sectors but found his calling in governance. His engineering mindset enabled him to bring a tech-oriented approach to problem-solving in public systems. He believes that modern bureaucrats must integrate empathy with innovation.
UPSC Preparation Journey
|
Stage |
Timeline |
Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
Prelims |
May 2024 |
Relied on accuracy and mock tests |
|
Mains |
September 2024 |
Focused on structured writing with diverse perspectives |
|
Personality Test |
Jan–Apr 2025 |
Discussed governance-tech linkage; confident engagement with panel |
|
Final Result |
April 2025 |
Secured AIR 9 after 4 attempts |
Booklist Followed by Aditya Vikram Agarwal
|
Subject |
Sources/Books Used |
|---|---|
|
Polity |
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth |
|
History |
Spectrum Modern History, NCERTs (6–12) |
|
Geography |
NCERTs, GC Leong |
|
Economy |
Ramesh Singh, Budget documents, Economic Survey |
|
Environment |
Shankar IAS Environment |
|
Ethics (GS IV) |
Lexicon, PYQs, Case studies |
|
Current Affairs |
The Hindu, Vision IAS compilations, PIB |
|
Optional (Pub Ad) |
Fadia & Fadia, Mohit Bhattacharya, ARC Reports |
Key Strategies Adopted
-
Focused Planning: Prioritized conceptual clarity and limited resources with high revision.
-
Test Practice: Regular mock tests for Prelims and Mains to enhance speed and accuracy.
-
Answer Writing: Practiced 2–3 answers daily with peer reviews.
-
Digital Tools: Used Notion and Anki for creating and revising digital flashcards.
-
Mindset Training: Practiced meditation and refrained from comparisons.
Result Statistics (Tentative)
|
Category |
Selected Candidates |
Reserve List |
|---|---|---|
|
General |
335 |
155 |
|
EWS |
109 |
35 |
|
OBC |
318 |
59 |
|
SC |
160 |
14 |
|
ST |
87 |
10 |
Takeaways from Aditya’s Success
-
Purposeful Shift: Changing from a tech career to governance can lead to impactful contributions.
-
Persistence Pays Off: Cracking UPSC in the 4th attempt reflects resilience.
-
Smart Use of Tech: Leveraging digital platforms enhanced retention and planning.
-
Collaborative Learning: Peer reviews and group discussions boosted his confidence.
-
Clarity Over Quantity: A limited but focused approach to study material yields results.
FAQs
Q1. What is Aditya Vikram Agarwal’s UPSC rank?
He secured AIR 9 in UPSC CSE 2024.
Q2. What is his educational background?
He is a Computer Science graduate from IIT Kanpur.
Q3. What was his optional subject?
He opted for Public Administration, aligning with his interest in governance.
Q4. What was his medium of examination?
Aditya appeared for the exam in the English medium.
Top 20 UPSC 2024 Toppers List
| AIR Rank | Topper Name | Roll Number |
| 1 | SHAKTI DUBEY | 0240782 |
| 2 | HARSHITA GOYAL | 0101571 |
| 3 | DONGRE ARCHIT PARAG | 0867282 |
| 4 | SHAH MARGI CHIRAG | 0108110 |
| 5 | AAKASH GARG | 0833621 |
| 6 | KOMAL PUNIA | 0818290 |
| 7 | AAYUSHI BANSAL | 6902167 |
| 8 | RAJ KRISHNA JHA | 6613295 |
| 9 | ADITYA VIKRAM AGARWAL | 0849449 |
| 10 | MAYANK TRIPATHI | 5400180 |
| 11 | ETTABOYINA SAI SHIVANI | 8200949 |
| 12 | ASHI SHARMA | 5809367 |
| 13 | HEMANT | 5912548 |
| 14 | ABHISHEK VASHISHTHA | 0818331 |
| 15 | BANNA VENKATESH | 1010403 |
| 16 | MADHAV AGARWAL | 6907627 |
| 17 | SANSKRITI TRIVEDY | 0810414 |
| 18 | SAUMYA MISHRA | 2604936 |
| 19 | VIBHOR BHARDWAJ | 0833456 |
| 20 | TRILOK SINGH | 2200688 |