Aditya Vikram Agarwal, a native of Bahadurgarh in the Jhajjar district, has secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 9 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. His remarkable achievement is a testament to his unwavering dedication, relentless effort, and smart strategy.
In this blog, we’ll delve into Aditya’s educational background, the number of attempts he made, the challenges he faced, and the strategic decisions that helped him crack one of India’s toughest exams.
Aditya Vikram Agarwal Biography Overview Table:
The following is an overview biography of Aditya Vikram Agarwal in a table format:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Aditya Vikram Agarwal |
| Age | 27 |
| Hometown | Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar district |
| Early Schooling | Not specified |
| Graduation | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Allahabad (2018) |
| Work Experience | Worked at Tata Motors (2018–2019) |
| UPSC Rank | 9th (UPSC CSE 2024) |
| Attempts Given | Fifth Attempt |
| Marks Obtained | 1027 |
| Optional Subject | Anthropology |
Aditya Vikram Agarwal AIR 9 Educational Background:
| Educational Level | Institution | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Early Schooling | SR Century Public School, Bahadurgarh, Haryana (CBSE) | – Class 10th (2012): CGPA 9.8 – Class 12th (2014): 96.8% in PCM, Jhajjar district topper |
| Graduation | NIT Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | – Degree: B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering – Completion Year: 2018 |
Aditya Vikram Agarwal UPSC Attempts:
Aditya Vikram Agarwal secured All India Rank 9 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, achieving success in his fifth attempt. The table below outlines the timeline and progress of his journey through each attempt:
| Attempt | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Attempt | 2019 | Did not clear Prelims |
| 2nd Attempt | 2020 | Did not clear Prelims |
| 3rd Attempt | 2021 | Cleared Prelims and Mains, reached Interview but not selected |
| 4th Attempt | 2022 | Cleared Prelims and Mains, reached Interview but not selected |
| 5th Attempt | 2024 | Cleared Prelims, Mains, and Interview; secured AIR 9 in UPSC CSE 2024 |
Aditya Vikram Agarwal Optional Subject:
Aditya Vikram Agarwal’s optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination was Anthropology. He chose Anthropology after exploring other options such as Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.
His reasoning for selecting Anthropology was that he found it interesting due to its blend of scientific and humanities-based approaches, making it a suitable and engaging choice for him.
Additionally, he noted that the optional subject significantly impacts the final score, which further influenced his decision to opt for Anthropology.
To Learn more about this years Top 20 Toppers, Visit our page.
Key Strategies Followed Aditya Agarwal UPSC Topper:
Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires more than just knowledge—it demands consistency, discipline, and a well-rounded approach. Aditya Vikram Agarwal, who secured AIR 9 in his fifth attempt, followed a carefully structured strategy that balanced academics, physical and mental well-being, and long-term planning. The table below highlights the key strategies he adopted throughout his UPSC journey:
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Consistent Routine | Followed a daily routine: morning library study, full-day preparation, evening return home to sustain long-term focus and avoid burnout. |
| Mental Health Management | Practiced 15-minute daily meditation (using Headspace app or YouTube guided sessions) and read spiritual books (15–20 minutes) to stay calm and reduce self-doubt. |
| Physical Health | Engaged in daily running, yoga, or gym to combat fatigue and back pain, ensuring physical endurance for long study hours. |
| Answer Writing for Mains | Used a 7-minute (10-mark questions) and 10-minute (15-mark questions) strategy with a stopwatch to manage time effectively in Mains. |
| Resource Management | Stuck to a curated book list, revised multiple times, and avoided switching resources to prevent confusion from excessive books/notes. |
| Avoiding Distractions | Minimized social media; used a keypad phone during critical phases (e.g., before Prelims/Mains) to avoid FOMO and reduce anxiety. |
| Prelims Preparation | Revised static books, practiced mock tests, and solved Previous Year Questions (PYQs) consistently; emphasized no shortcuts exist. |
| Backup Exams | Gave alternate exams (e.g., SSC CGL, IBPS PO, RBI Grade B) to build confidence, reduce family pressure, and have fallback options. |
| Stress Relief via Hobbies | Cooked for 30–60 minutes to relax and disconnect from study stress, providing mental peace during preparation. |
| Peer and Family Support | Built a supportive peer group of serious UPSC candidates and stayed connected with family to share emotions and reduce isolation. |
| Taking Breaks | Took breaks only when feeling low or stressed, not on a fixed schedule, to maintain mental health and avoid prolonged downtime. |
| Exit Strategy | Planned fallback options (e.g., PCS exams, UGC NET, technical fields) to ensure no unfulfilled dreams if UPSC didn’t work out. |
Also read about: Raj Krishna Jha UPSC 2024 AIR 8
Aditya Agarwal UPSC Topper Advice For Students:
| Advice | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Build a Consistent Routine | Follow a daily study routine (e.g., morning library, full-day prep, evening return) to stay focused and avoid burnout. |
| Stay Resilient After Setbacks | Process setbacks (e.g., interview failure) in a day, then quickly resume preparation to stay on track. |
| Master Answer Writing | Use a 7-minute (10-mark) and 10-minute (15-mark) strategy with a stopwatch to excel in Mains answer writing. |
| Stick to a Curated Book List | Revise a selected book list multiple times, avoiding new resources to prevent confusion. |
| Incorporate Hobbies | Spend 30–60 minutes on a hobby like cooking to relax and disconnect from study stress. |
| Use Meditation and Yoga | Combine meditation and yoga to improve mental health and positivity, especially after early failures. |
| Think Before Starting UPSC | Consult seniors and assess if UPSC is your calling, considering alternative careers like engineering or journalism. |
| Build a Supportive Peer Group | Surround yourself with serious UPSC peers and stay connected with family to reduce isolation. |
| Take Strategic Breaks | Take breaks only when feeling low or stressed to maintain mental health without disrupting momentum. |
| Prepare for Prelims Diligently | Revise static books, practice mocks, and solve PYQs consistently, as there are no shortcuts. |
| Give Backup Exams | Attempt exams like SSC CGL, IBPS PO, or RBI Grade B to build confidence and secure fallback options. |
| Plan an Exit Strategy | Have a backup plan (e.g., PCS, UGC NET, technical fields) to avoid unfulfilled dreams if UPSC fails. |
Conclusion:
Aditya Vikram Agarwal UPSC Topper’s journey to AIR 9 in UPSC CSE 2024 highlights the power of perseverance, strategic preparation, and mental resilience. His success came after five focused attempts, shaped by disciplined routines, smart choices, and a balanced lifestyle.
For aspirants, his story is a reminder that with the right mindset and consistent effort, cracking the UPSC is achievable. Stay focused, trust the process, and keep moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions about UPSC Topper Aditya Agarwal
What was Aditya Vikram Agarwal’s optional subject in UPSC?
His optional subject was Anthropology, which he chose for its balanced mix of scientific and humanities elements.
How many attempts did Aditya take to clear the UPSC CSE?
Aditya cleared the exam in his fifth attempt, after not qualifying in the first two and reaching the interview stage in the third and fourth.
What is Aditya Vikram Agarwal’s educational background?
He completed his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Allahabad in 2018.
What is the age of Aditya Vikram Agarwal, UPSC Topper AIR 9 (2024)?
Aditya Vikram Agarwal is 27 years old as of 2024.