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Have you ever heard of someone acing tough exams, not just once, but twice? That’s the story of IAS officer Gaurav Agarwal!
This person has a never give up spirit. He cracked the IIT-JEE exam, which is a dream for many science students, and landed a seat at the prestigious IIT Kanpur. But wait, there’s more! After graduating in Computer Science, he went on to crack the CAT exam and earned a place at IIM Lucknow, another top-tier institution.
Here’s where things get interesting. Gaurav was on a corporate ladder, working fancy jobs like a trader at Citigroup in Hong Kong. But somewhere along the way, he decided to take a different path – the path of civil service!
He set his eyes on the UPSC exam, one of the most prestigious government jobs in India. And guess what? He cracked it in his first attempt in 2012! But Gaurav wasn’t satisfied with just clearing it. He wanted to excel. So, he went for it again in 2013 and this time, he secured the All India Rank 1, becoming the UPSC topper and making history in his home state!
What’s even more inspiring? Gaurav’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. He even faced a setback during his engineering days when he had to extend his degree due to a subject fail. But that didn’t stop him from achieving his goals.
Today, Gaurav is an IAS officer, a published author (his book ‘Indian Economy’ helps UPSC aspirants!), and a tech enthusiast who loves economics and cricket. He’s a true inspiration for anyone who dares to dream big and chase their goals, no matter the hurdles.
| Full Name | Gaurav Agarwal |
| Place of Birth | Rajasthan |
| Service Preference | IAS > IPS > IRS |
| Hometown | Bharatpur District, Rajasthan |
| Cadre Preference | Rajasthan > MP > IRS |
| Religion and Caste | Hindu and General |
| Education Background | B.Tech (Computer Science) from IIT Kanpur |
| UPSC Ranks | AIR 244 (CSE 2012)AIR 1 (CSE 2013) |
| Graduation | B.Tech from IIT Kanpur (2001-2005) |
| Post Graduation | PGDM from IIM Lucknow |
| Previous Job | Investment Banker at Citigroup, Hong Kong (3.5 years) |
| Current Posting | CEO Zila Parishad, Karauli, Rajasthan |
| Optional Subject | Economics |
| UPSC Marks | Prelims 2013: GS – 122.33/200, CSAT – 182.55/200 Mains 2013: Written – 769/1750, Interview – 206/275Final Marks – 975/2025 |
| Success Tips | –Analyze weaknesses and work on improvement –Have faith in abilities and stay optimistic –Compete with yourself, not others –Enjoy the journey and learn from failures –Quote from Bhagavad Gita: “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work.” |
Table of Contents
Gaurav Agarwal IAS: UPSC Exam Scores Explained
Here we have listed Gaurav Agarwal’s scores in the different stages of the UPSC exam (the one he topped in 2013):
Gaurav Agarwal IAS Prelims Marks
- This is the first stage, kind of a screening test.
- Gaurav scored well above the cut-off mark.
- His score in the General Studies paper (GS) shows he had a good grasp of various subjects.
- His score in the other paper (CSAT) was likely high because of his background in IIT and IIM (they teach skills useful for this section).
| General Studies Paper 1 (GS) | 122.33/ 200 |
| General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) | 182.55 / 200 |
| Total | 304 / 400 |
Gaurav Agarwal IAS Mains Marks
- This is the main written exam with various papers.
- Gaurav did well in all the GS papers, showing strong knowledge across different areas.
- He scored very high (296 out of 500) in his optional subject, Economics. This subject seems to have been his strong point, as he has mentioned.
- He also did well in the essay paper and the interview.
| Essay Paper | 135 / 250 |
| GS 1 | 85 / 250 |
| GS 2 | 63 / 250 |
| GS 3 | 88 / 250 |
| GS 4 | 102 / 250 |
| Optional Paper (Economics-1) | 134 / 250 |
| Optional Paper (Economics-2) | 162 / 250 |
| Mains (Written) Total | 769 / 1750 (43.94%) |
| GS Total | 338 / 1000 (33.8%) |
| Total Economics Optional Paper | 296 / 500 (59.2%) |
Gaurav Agarwal IAS Interview Marks
IAS Gaurav Agarwal interview Marks are stated below:
| Interview Board | Dr. Kilemsungla board |
| IAS Gaurav Agarwal Marks in UPSC Interview | 206 / 275 |
Gaurav Agarwal IAS Final Marks
By combining all the scores from different stages, Gaurav secured the top rank (AIR 1) in the UPSC exam.
| IAS Gaurav Agarwal Final Marks in UPSC 2013 | 975 / 2025 |
Gaurav Agarwal IAS: Success Tips
Gaurav Agarwal has given following tips for future aspirants which must be kept in mind before starting UPSC preparation:
- Avoid jargon and complex explanations: Write simply, assuming the examiner isn’t a subject-matter expert.
- Focus on covering all relevant points: Don’t skip seemingly unimportant details, even if they seem trivial.
- Structure your answer: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points for clarity.
- Think before you write: Take a moment to plan your answer and consider different aspects of the topic.
- Prepare for common themes: Create lists of points for broad topics that can be adapted to specific questions.
- Write for the examiner’s ease: Present your answer in a way that’s easy to read and understand.
Gaurav Agarwal IAS Booklist
Gaurav Agarwal’s own book “Indian Economy” is a resource for aspirants, especially for the Economics optional subject.While the booklist he followed during his preparation days is mentioned below:
| Subject | Books/Resources |
| Polity and Constitution | – Laxmikanth- New NCERT Class VI to XII (not in detail) – Current Affairs: Vision, Editorials, PIB, PRS |
| Ancient History | – Old NCERT Class 11th |
| Mediaeval History | – Old NCERT Class 12th and 11th |
| Modern History | – Old NCERT Book Class 12 (Before 1857) – New NCERT Book Classes 6-12 |
| Art & Culture | – Nitin Singhania- CCRT/NIOS selectively – Mrunal Videos – NCERT Class 11 (Satish Chandra Medieval India) |
| Environment | – Shankar IAS – Old Biology Class 12 Ecology Unit – Current Affairs: Vision, Editorials, PIB, PMF IAS |
| Economics | – Macroeconomics Class 12 NCERT – Sriram Printed Notes – Mrunal Videos Budget and Economic Survey – Net: Arthpedia, Vikaspedia, etc. |
| Geography | – Class 11th and 12th NCERT – Class 6 to 10th NCERT selectively – Biomes chapter from G C Leong- Mrunal Videos |
| Science | – NCERT 6th to 10th (important 9th and 10th) |
| Test Series | – Insights on India paper for its questions – Arihant book for question bank |
| Current Affairs | – Monthly Magazine insights on India – Monthly magazines |
Gaurav Agarwal IAS: Views on UPSC Coaching
The coachings he took are listed below.These are not the ultimate method tp crack UPSC but just one of the ways he preferred to study :
- He attended classroom coaching at Vajiram, Sriram, Lalwani’s Axiom but found them to be a waste of time
- He believes coaching wallahs are ineffective for the new UPSC pattern
- He recommends buying coaching notes from photocopy shops and focus on the relevant 10%
Gaurav Agarwal , shares his honest views on coaching institutes in Delhi. Here’s the gist:
- Coaching can be overrated: He believes rote learning from coaching notes isn’t the key anymore. The UPSC tests your thinking and analysis skills, not memorization.
- Focus on self-study: Gaurav suggests creating a study plan and focusing on self-study. You can learn more in 2 months on your own than in 6 months of coaching (well, most of it!).
- Coaching notes? Maybe: Buying class notes (if good quality) could be okay, but skip the actual classes. They might waste your time with irrelevant details.
- Location doesn’t matter: Don’t feel disadvantaged if you’re not in Delhi. The internet is your friend! Use it to find the best resources and analyze current events.
Gaurav Agarwal’s overall Message to UPSC Aspirants is :
- Focus on understanding and analysis over rote learning
- Utilize the internet effectively for current affairs preparation
- Develop your own opinions and analytical skills
- Coaching can be supplementary but not essential for success
Gaurav Agarwal IAS:Views on UPSC Reforms
1. Coaching wallahs and the new syllabus:The new UPSC pattern focuses more on analysis and application of knowledge rather than rote memorization. This makes coaching materials based on past trends less effective. Instead, aspirants should focus on current affairs, develop analytical skills, and utilize online resources. However, well-structured coaching notes can be a good starting point, but focus on filtering out irrelevant information.
2. Removing Optional Subjects:Optional subjects allow candidates to showcase their strengths and expertise. Instead of a complete removal, UPSC could consider a wider range of optional subjects to provide a more level playing field across disciplines.
3. UPSC Prelims Transparency:Disclosing official answer keys and cutoffs immediately after the prelims would definitely bring more transparency. Releasing individual marks might be debatable due to privacy concerns, but a detailed breakdown of scores could be helpful.
4. Online UPSC Exam:Moving the UPSC exam online would save time and resources, but ensuring equal access to technology across regions might be a challenge. Perhaps a phased approach could be implemented.
5. Reforms as UPSC Chairman:
Transparency:
- Provide scanned copies of answer sheets (with privacy considerations).
- Release a detailed breakdown of marks at each stage.
- Announce tentative result declaration windows in advance.
Quality of Exam:
- Divide GS papers based on subjects and assign checking to relevant experts.
- Consider introducing short case studies or simulations to assess problem-solving abilities.
- These are just some suggestions, and the best course of action for UPSC reform requires careful consideration and public discussion.
Let’s Hear From Gaurav Agarwal IAS
How does Gaurav Agarwal balance between electronic and paper materials in his UPSC preparation?
Gaurav Agarwal emphasizes the increasing role of electronic materials, attributing over 60% of his preparation to the internet. He highlights the decreasing reliance on books and the importance of sources like “The Hindu” newspaper. However, he also maintains notes, suggesting a combination of both electronic and paper materials in his study approach.
What strategies does Gaurav Agarwal employ to maintain study momentum and overcome distractions?
Gaurav Agarwal credits his ability to maintain study momentum and overcome distractions to his inner strengths. He doesn’t delve into specific techniques but implies that his determination and focus help him stay consistent in his preparation despite mood swings and distractions.
As a senior player, what advice does Gaurav Agarwal offer to others preparing for the UPSC exam?
Gaurav Agarwal advises senior players not to approach their next attempt blindly by repeating past strategies that may have failed. Instead, he urges them to analyze their weaknesses, work on improving them, and adapt their preparation accordingly. This highlights the importance of self-assessment and targeted improvement for success in subsequent attempts.
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