Gaurav Agarwal IAS: UPSC AIR 1 – Education, Family, Current Posting & Success Story

Gaurav Agarwal IAS is the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2013 All India Rank 1 topper. Born in 1984 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, he is an IIT Kanpur (B.Tech, Computer Science) and IIM Lucknow alumnus (Gold Medallist). Before joining civil services, he worked as a Credit Derivatives Trader at Citigroup, Hong Kong for 3.5 years. He cleared UPSC twice — first with AIR 244 in 2012 (IPS), then with AIR 1 in 2013 (IAS). He belongs to the 2014 IAS batch, Rajasthan cadre and is currently posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Udaipur (since July 21, 2026). His wife, Dr. Preeti Agarwal, is a physician. He has also authored a book on Indian Economy for UPSC aspirants.

Quick Information: Gaurav Agarwal IAS

Gaurav Agarwal IAS is one of India’s most celebrated civil servants — a man who traded a high-paying international banking career for the dusty realities of district administration. Born and raised in Jaipur, Rajasthan, he became the first person from his home state to secure All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (2013). His story cuts through the noise of overnight success myths and instead shows what sustained effort, smart strategy, and the willingness to start over actually look like.

What makes Gaurav Agarwal IAS stand out is the sheer range of his achievements. He cracked three of India’s toughest competitive exams — IIT-JEE, CAT, and UPSC — and excelled at each one. He was a gold medallist at IIM Lucknow. He built a successful career in investment banking at Citigroup in Hong Kong. And then he walked away from all of it to serve the people of India as a civil servant.

He cleared UPSC in his very first attempt in 2012 with AIR 244, earned an IPS posting, and — while in training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad — sat for the exam again in 2013 and topped the country. That level of focus is rare.

Today, as a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, Gaurav Agarwal IAS continues to serve at senior administrative positions. His biography is both a career profile and a roadmap for anyone serious about civil services.

Gaurav Agarwal IAS Age, Early Life and Education

Childhood in Jaipur

Gaurav Agarwal was born in 1984 and grew up in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He came from an upper-middle-class family where education was a core value. His father worked as a manager at Jaipur Dairy, and his mother kept the household running with quiet strength.

From his school years, Gaurav showed an exceptional mind. He completed his schooling in Jaipur through the English medium and consistently performed well in academics.

IIT-JEE – AIR 45

In 2001, Gaurav cleared the highly competitive IIT-JEE examination with an impressive All India Rank 45. This earned him a seat in the B.Tech (Computer Science) programme at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur — one of the most selective engineering institutions in the world.

Struggle at IIT Kanpur

Despite the brilliant entrance, Gaurav’s early years at IIT did not go smoothly. He lost focus during college, failed some subjects, and had to sit for back papers. This delayed his degree completion by one year. He graduated in 2005 instead of 2004.

He later spoke about this honestly and said the setback made him more disciplined and determined. Instead of hiding the failure, he used it as a turning point.

CAT – 99.9 Percentile, IIM Lucknow Gold Medal

After completing his B.Tech, Gaurav cracked the CAT examination in 2005 with a 99.9 percentile and secured admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow for PGDM (Finance). Here, he fully redeemed himself academically — graduating as the batch gold medallist.

Education Summary Table

Career Before IAS

IBM India Research Labs – 7 Months

After his MBA, Gaurav briefly worked at IBM India Research Labs for approximately seven months. This gave him hands-on experience in the technology and research space before he transitioned to the world of global finance.

Citigroup, Hong Kong – 3.5 Years

From around June 2008 to September 2011, Gaurav worked as a Credit Derivatives Trader at Citigroup in Hong Kong — one of the world’s leading financial institutions. He spent 3.5 years in this role.

The job was extremely well-paying, comfortable, and internationally prestigious. Various reports have cited the annual package at approximately ₹1.26 crore per annum — a figure that reflects the elite nature of the position.

Despite all of this, Gaurav felt something was missing. He wanted to serve people directly. He returned to India and started preparing seriously for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

“The job of a civil servant is more challenging and very distinguished. You can meet people, understand their problems and then try to solve them.” — Gaurav Agarwal IAS

Professional Timeline

UPSC Journey & Marksheet

First Attempt – 2012 (AIR 244, IPS)

Gaurav appeared for UPSC CSE 2012 and secured AIR 244. He was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) with the Rajasthan cadre. He began his training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (NPA), Hyderabad.

But his first preference was always IAS. So, while undergoing IPS training, he kept preparing.

Second Attempt – 2013 (AIR 1, IAS)

In 2013, Gaurav sat for UPSC again. When the results were announced, he had done the unthinkable — he had jumped from rank 244 to rank 1 in a single year. He topped the entire country, becoming the first person from Rajasthan to achieve AIR 1 in UPSC.

He was so surprised that he initially did not believe the news. He called his wife Preeti and told her: “I topped the exam.”

UPSC 2013 Marksheet

He was reportedly the first UPSC topper to cross the 50% mark under the new exam pattern introduced in 2013.

UPSC Preparation Strategy

Gaurav Agarwal IAS prepared largely through self-study. He did not rely on a single coaching institute. He used coaching notes selectively and focused on building a deep understanding rather than just covering information.

His approach is often described as “Vertical Integration” — linking topics across subjects rather than studying them in isolation. For example, he connected historical events with economic consequences and geographic factors, giving his answers more depth.

Key elements of his preparation strategy:

• Quality over quantity — He relied on fewer, well-chosen books and mastered them completely.
• Notes in your own words — He believed in writing notes rather than just underlining. This helps internalization for Mains.
• Internet as a primary resource — He stated that more than 60% of serious UPSC preparation must come from internet sources — government websites, committee reports, and expert analysis.
• Economics optional as a strength — His Finance background from IIM Lucknow gave him a natural edge. He scored 296 marks in Economics optional, which was exceptional.
• Mock tests — He used Vision IAS and Synergy test series for practice.
• Essay score of 135 — Unusually high for that year, reflecting his clear, structured writing style.

He also advised aspirants: “One should identify one’s weaknesses and overcome them because there is a general tendency to negate the shortcomings.”

Family Details

Gaurav Agarwal’s family has been his backbone throughout his journey. He has said so directly in interviews: “My family is my pillar of support.”

Father & Mother

His father, Suresh Chandra Gupta, worked at Jaipur Dairy. His parents pushed Gaurav academically and kept him motivated through every phase — from IIT setbacks to the IPS posting to the AIR 1 moment. When the UPSC 2013 results came out, his father and wife rushed to Hyderabad to celebrate. His father told reporters that his son had truly become the “gaurav” (pride) of the family and the nation.

Wife – Dr. Preeti Agarwal

Gaurav Agarwal IAS wife, Dr. Preeti Agarwal, is a physician by profession. She was among the first people Gaurav called when he found out about his AIR 1 ranking. She described herself as speechless with joy. The couple has a daughter together. Dr. Preeti is widely regarded as a strong personal and professional support for Gaurav.

Posting History in Rajasthan

After completing his foundational training as an IAS officer, Gaurav Agarwal IAS has held several important roles in the Rajasthan cadre. He has consistently been posted in key district-level administrative roles.

Note: Specific dates for earlier postings (SDM and intermediate roles) are not fully documented in official public records. The two most recent collector postings — Jodhpur Rural (Jan 2024) and Udaipur (July 2026) — are verified through official Rajasthan government orders and reliable media reports.

Awards and Achievements

Interesting Facts

• From rank 244 to rank 1 in one year. Gaurav cleared UPSC twice. His first attempt in 2012 gave him AIR 244 and an IPS posting. He sat for the exam again the very next year and topped the entire nation.
• He prepared during IPS training. While undergoing training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad after his IPS selection, he continued UPSC preparation. This discipline is exceptional and virtually unheard of.
• He quit a ₹1.26 crore annual salary. Gaurav gave up his Credit Derivatives Trader position at Citigroup in Hong Kong — reportedly one of the highest-paying roles for young professionals — to prepare for civil services.
• He worked at IBM before Citigroup. Before his high-profile banking stint in Hong Kong, Gaurav spent around seven months at IBM India Research Labs. Many biographies skip this part of his career.
• He failed subjects at IIT Kanpur. Despite clearing JEE with AIR 45, Gaurav failed some subjects during B.Tech and had to complete back papers, delaying his graduation by a year. He turned this setback into self-improvement.
• He was 29 when he topped UPSC. Gaurav was approximately 29 years old at the time of his UPSC CSE 2013 result — already a seasoned professional with nearly a decade of experience behind him.
• His Economics score of 296 was decisive. Gaurav scored a combined 296 marks in Economics optional (134 + 162). He himself credited this score for securing the top rank.
• He was the first to cross 50% in the new UPSC format. UPSC changed its exam pattern in 2013. Gaurav became the first topper to cross the 50% mark in the revised structure.
• His interview score was 206 out of 275. A high interview score added to his already strong written performance. The interview was conducted before the Dr. Kilemsungla Board.
• He wrote a book to help future aspirants. After becoming an IAS officer, Gaurav authored a book on Indian Economy aimed at UPSC and state PCS candidates. It reflects his belief in giving back to the aspirant community.

Conclusion

The story of Gaurav Agarwal IAS is not about a shortcut to success. It is about choosing the harder path, again and again. He failed at IIT but recovered. He cleared UPSC and got IPS but aimed higher. He built a dream career in Hong Kong and then walked away from it. He prepared for the toughest exam in the country while already in training for another elite role — and then topped the nation.

What sets Gaurav Agarwal IAS apart is not just his AIR 1 rank. It is the consistency of his character. Whether as a student bouncing back from failure, as a professional excelling on the global stage, or as an administrator serving the people of Rajasthan — he has always chosen depth over comfort and purpose over convenience.

For every UPSC aspirant, every student facing a setback, and every professional wondering if a career change is worth the risk — Gaurav Agarwal IAS is the answer. His journey proves that with the right focus and an honest self-assessment, remarkable outcomes are not just possible. They are inevitable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Gaurav Agarwal IAS?

Gaurav Agarwal IAS is a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre. He secured All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2013, making him the first person from Rajasthan to achieve this distinction. He is an IIT Kanpur and IIM Lucknow alumnus and a former investment banker at Citigroup, Hong Kong.

2. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS rank in UPSC?

He secured AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2013 with a final score of 975 out of 2025. In his first attempt (UPSC CSE 2012), he had secured AIR 244 and was selected for the IPS.

3. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS age?

Gaurav Agarwal was born in 1984 (widely reported as August 15, 1984, though not officially confirmed on government record). As of 2025, he is approximately 40–41 years old. He was 29 when his UPSC 2013 result was announced.

4. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS current posting?

As per the most recent verified government order, Gaurav Agarwal IAS has been serving as Collector and District Magistrate, Udaipur, Rajasthan, since July 21, 2026. For the most up-to-date posting, refer to official Rajasthan Government personnel orders.

5. Who is Gaurav Agarwal IAS wife?

Gaurav Agarwal IAS wife is Dr. Preeti Agarwal, a physician by profession. She has been a strong support system throughout his civil services journey. The couple has a daughter.

6. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS education qualification?

He holds a B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur (2001–2005) and a PGDM (Finance) from IIM Lucknow (2005–2007), where he graduated as a Gold Medallist. He also cracked CAT with a 99.9 percentile.

7. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS hometown?

His home city and domicile is Jaipur, Rajasthan. Multiple official and media sources confirm Jaipur as his home city. Some sources also mention Bharatpur District, Rajasthan, as his birth district.

8. What is Gaurav Agarwal IAS batch?

Gaurav Agarwal belongs to the 2014 IAS batch (Rajasthan cadre). Officers who clear UPSC CSE 2013 are officially allotted the 2014 batch year, as per IAS convention.

9. What optional subject did Gaurav Agarwal choose for UPSC?

He chose Economics as his optional subject, scoring a combined 296 marks (134 in Paper I + 162 in Paper II). This exceptional score was a key reason for his AIR 1 rank.