Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Biography, Career, Family, Controversy & More

In this post, we delved into the detailed background of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Biography, a former IAS officer and a renowned educator for UPSC exam preparation, extending beyond the UPSC aspirants to encompass students across the country.

The founder and managing director of Drishti IAS, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, is extremely popular among candidates appearing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. With expertise in Hindi literature, philosophy, history, and various other exam subjects, he has been teaching aspirants for the past two decades.

Due to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s simplicity and extensive knowledge in various subjects, students also refer to him as “Abdul Kalam.” Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is known not only for his knowledge but also for his engaging teaching style. He is not just a teacher but also an influential author who has written and published several works.

During his academic tenure, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti was highly popular at his university, actively participating in every debate held in his college. A few years ago, he gained headlines when he opposed the idea of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has also been seen in several television debates.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Biography

Real NameVikas Divyakirti
Date of birth6 December, 1973
Birth PlaceBhiwani, Haryana, India
Age50 Years old
ProfessionFormer IAS Officer, Professor, Entrepreneur,
Writer, IAS Trainer, Motivational Speaker
ReligionHinduism
WifeDr. Taruna Verma
SchoolSarasvati Shishu Mandir, Bhiwani
CollegeZakir Hussain College (BA, MA)
Net Worth$3 million (Rs 25 Crore INR)

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Education

After completing his school education, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti enrolled at Zakir Husain Delhi College, Delhi University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree. However, later on, he switched his major from Commerce to Arts, as most of his friends had started preparing for the UPSC exams.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s friends also advised him to prepare for the UPSC exams. Following their suggestion, he pursued a BA in History at Delhi University. According to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, during his third year of graduation, his family relocated from Bhiwani, Haryana, to Faridabad.

Afterwards, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti pursued an MA in Hindi literature through evening classes at Zakir Hussain College in Delhi. He opted for this program because he couldn’t enroll in Delhi University campus for this course.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti cleared the UGC NET JRF examination and also received a monthly scholarship of ₹2500. He holds degrees in MA (Sociology), M. Phil, LLB, and PhD. In addition to these, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti had a keen interest in the language department. Hence, he obtained a postgraduate degree in English to Hindi translation from Delhi University. Also you wiil feel proud to read: Captain Zoya Agarwal Biography, Age, Career, Air India Pilot, Family, Caste & More 

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Family, Parents & Siblings

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has not yet revealed information about his parents. His father was a professor of Hindi literature at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana, and his mother was a teacher at a school in Bhiwani.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s elder brother is a software engineer currently residing in the United States. His other brother is a civil servant working as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Vikas Divyakirti’s Wife and Children

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s wife is named Dr. Taruna Varma. They got married in 1997, and they have a son named Satvik Divyakirti.

Vikas Divyakirti’s Religion

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has connections with a Hindu family. During an interview, he revealed that he was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for several years.

Vikas Divyakirti Early Life & Family Background

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti was born on December 26, 1973, in Bhiwani, Haryana. He spent several years growing up in Haryana, and his early education began at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Bhiwani.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti comes from an educated and well-versed family background. His father was a professor, and his mother was a school teacher in Haryana. He got married to Dr. Taruna Varma on May 26, 1997, and they have a son named Satvik Divyakirti.

During a television interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti mentioned that due to certain family issues, he and his family moved to Faridabad in South Haryana. In Faridabad, both Dr. Vikas Divyakirti and his brother began working, with Dr. Vikas Divyakirti taking on roles related to art.

During the interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti also revealed that he earned numerous cash awards through debate competitions while studying in college.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s Career

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti passed the UPSC exam in 1996, following which he was appointed to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He worked in the ministry for some time before resigning from his job to pursue teaching at Delhi University.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti adopted a unique teaching style to assist in UPSC exam preparation, establishing himself not only as an educator but also as a respected figure. He initiated teaching in Hindi, making it easier for students to understand the curriculum.

Then in 2017, he started his YouTube channel “Drishti IAS” through which he began guiding students across India. On this channel, he shares various useful materials for students, including study resources, informational points, lectures, and exam strategies that assist students in their preparation. As of July 20, more than 10.5 million people have subscribed to his YouTube channel.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is the director of Drishti IAS Coaching Classes. He also serves as the editor for Drishti Current Affairs, overseeing the publication of the annual current affairs magazine. Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has authored a dedicated book for students titled “Nibandh Drishti.” With his perspective towards the country, he has consistently remained an inspirational figure for students.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s net Worth

Renowned Indian educator, author, and former IAS officer Vikas Divyakirti is believed to have a net worth of around $3 million (Rs 25 Crore INR) in 2024. He’s widely recognized for his significant accomplishments in his career. 

Successfully attaining the prestigious position of an IAS officer, considered one of the most esteemed roles in India, speaks volumes about his dedication and perseverance, especially given the reputation of its notoriously challenging examination. Furthermore, Vikas Divyakirti boasts an impressive array of degrees and educational qualifications. 

Vikas Divyakirti is widely recognized for his brilliant mind. His journey to prominence began when he left his position and established the coaching center, Drishti IAS, which quickly gained widespread attention. As of now, his net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. 

Serving as the founder of Drishti IAS, he has played a key role in establishing it as a leading coaching institute for civil service examinations in India.

Drishti IAS Net Worth and Revenue

Net Worth (2024)$3 million 
Net Worth in Indian RupeesRs 25 Crore INR
ProfessionFormer IAS Officer, Professor, Entrepreneur, Writer, IAS Trainer, Motivational Speaker
Monthly Income20 Lakhs +
Yearly IncomeRs 2 Crore INR
Last Updated2024

Drishti IAS has emerged as one of the top IAS coaching institutes in India, showing notable growth in recent years. This indicates a robust financial performance. It’s important to note that Drishti IAS Foundation is a private company and is not required to publicly disclose its financial information.

According to industry reports and estimates, the Indian IAS coaching market is valued at over Rs. 5000 crores. Given its status as a major player, Drishti IAS is presumed to have a considerable share of this revenue.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Assets

Home: Vikas Divyakirti is a well-known figure in India, having dedicated the last two decades to teaching and achieving significant success in the field. He made the decision to leave his position at IAS to pursue his dream of teaching. Vikas Divyakirti hails from Haryana, where he was born and raised, and owns a house there.

Car Collection: Vikas Divyakirti is a remarkably simple and modest individual. He seldom discusses his personal life and assets, preferring to maintain a level of privacy around himself. Details about his cars, in particular, remain undisclosed and unknown.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s Hobbies

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti enjoys reading books and novels during his leisure time. He also has a keen interest in making and watching films. During an interview, he expressed his desire to become a film producer and has even taken a course in pursuit of that interest. Interestingly, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s favorite film is “Lunchbox.”

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti College Political Career

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has had a deep interest in politics since his school days. He achieved victories in almost every parliamentary election held during his school years. After completing his school education in Bhiwani, Haryana, he moved to Delhi, where he pursued his studies at Zakir Husain Delhi College, Delhi University.

According to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, he went to Delhi University to build a career in politics because his father wanted him to become a politician. He became a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student organization associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

During his first year of study at Zakir Hussain College, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti gained significant popularity. In 1979, under the leadership of Prime Minister Morarji Desai, he actively participated in the nationwide movement against the Mandal Commission, which was established by the Janata Party government.

According to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, he expressed a desire to contest elections and become the president of the student union. However, he was advised against participating in elections as it could pose a threat to his life. Consequently, he decided to abandon the idea of contesting elections.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti UPSC

After obtaining a Master of Arts degree, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti decided to appear for the UPSC examination. He participated in the UPSC examination in 1996.

He secured the 384th rank in the UPSC examination, after which he was appointed as an Assistant Commandant in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). However, he was found medically unfit for this position due to his flat feet.

Later, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti joined the Central Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Upon his request, he was allocated to the Official Language Department, where he was appointed as a Desk/Section Officer. However, after six months of service, he resigned from this position.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti provides guidance and suggestions for UPSC aspirants.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, being an educator, provides valuable advice for IAS aspirants. According to him, Prelims is just a qualifying exam, so candidates should focus more on preparing for the Main examination. Dr. Divyakirti emphasizes the need for students to dedicate substantial effort towards Main exam preparation.

Vikas Divyakirti sir further states that the Prelims exam is merely a qualifying exam, which most students pass easily. Therefore, he advises students to set an appropriate target and focus on their preparation accordingly.

Vikas Divyakirti sir suggests that students should create an appropriate schedule and allocate equal time to different subjects. He advises students to read success stories of other successful IAS officers, as it serves as an inspiration and helps in preparing for the exam.

In addition, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti sir emphasizes that writing a good answer is crucial in the UPSC exam. To gain a better understanding, students should study the previous year’s question paper. He suggests that your contribution in answering questions should be clear, direct, and include all the essential aspects of your response. Your answers should be accurate and authentic to leave a positive impression on the interviewers.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti fought for students studying in Hindi medium.

According to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) posed a challenge for students as it was in the English language. This presented difficulties for candidates who opted to take the exam in Hindi. He considered this step by UPSC to be biased. He believes that UPSC should provide an equal opportunity for all students.

In 2011, UPSC introduced the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Dr. Vikas Divyakirti raised his voice for students and suggested some measures to the commission to ensure equality for Hindi medium students.

Nishant Kumar, an engineer preparing for the UPSC exam, describes Dr. Vikas Divyakirti as a highly intelligent person. Nishant mentions that Vikas sir has consistently maintained contact with his students. Due to being in Hindi medium, Nishant appreciates how Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has been a great support in addressing the challenges they faced.

Engineer Nishant Kumar mentioned in an interview that Dr. Vikas Divyakirti fought against CSAT on behalf of Hindi medium graduates. He expresses feeling highly inspired when watching Dr. Vikas’s videos and has a desire to learn more about various subjects from him.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti emphasizes that Hindi medium students appearing for the UPSC exam will continue to be anxious until their results reflect equality with English medium students. He states that cultural and linguistic diversity plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the country. The UPSC should analyze the concerns of these students, prepare a game plan for them, and consider their talent within the organization.

Students Opinion About Vikas Divyakirti

Despite not having an interest in the UPSC exam, Abhinav Singh, a B.Tech student, regularly watches Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s videos. He suggests that everyone should watch Dr. Vikas Sir’s videos as he covers many crucial points. Abhinav mentions that Dr. 

Vikas addresses the techniques for answering questions, provides insights into interview preparation, and emphasizes the importance of his videos not just for UPSC aspirants but for all youth in the country.

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is an individual known for maintaining impartial views on any issue. He is also the editor of the Drishti Current Affairs magazine.

Intresting Facts About Vikas Divyakirti

  • During an interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti revealed that he struggled with studies during his school days and almost failed in English in almost every class. However, he found a way to cope with the difficulties.
  • Dr. Vikas Divyakirti enjoys reading books and writing in his free time.
  • In an interview, he revealed that he starts his day by listening to the Bollywood song “Chadhta Suraj Dheere-Dheere” from the movie “Indu Sarkar 2017.”
  • Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is an animal lover and owns a pet dog.
  • There is no credible information or evidence to support the claim that Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is frequently seen consuming alcohol in various programs. It’s important to rely on accurate and verified information about individuals.
  • Dr. Vikas Divyakirti has a deep interest in psychology, philosophy, social issues, cinema studies, and political science.
  • According to Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, he taught UPSC aspirants for the first time at the age of 24. Interestingly, he cleared the UPSC exam in his first attempt by that time, but he was awaiting his posting, and in the meantime, he decided to earn money through teaching to become debt-free, as he was heavily burdened with loans at that time.
  • In an interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti revealed that although he came from an affluent family, during his first year of study at Zakir Husain College, his family faced severe financial crises. This led him to take on odd jobs such as selling calculators to support his family. Later, he ventured into his own printing press business with his elder brother. Before starting this business, he also worked for some time in a printing firm.
  • During his preparation for the UPSC examination on his third attempt, he studied at Delhi’s DAV College for four months.
  • Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is an emotional traveler who enjoys long drives. According to him, he has ridden his bike continuously without stopping from Delhi to Mumbai, Delhi to Patna, and Delhi to Goa.
  • In an interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti revealed that he aspired to become a film producer. He attempted to pursue a Ph.D. in Arts and Aesthetics at JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University). Later, he enrolled in a film production course at FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) in Pune. Additionally, he studied film studies at an institute in Mumbai for three days.
  • In 2012, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti moved to New York, where his brother was pursuing a career as a software engineer. He disclosed that there was an agreement with his brother that after settling in the United States, his brother would invite him once to watch the US Open finals. During their travels in the United States, inspired by the Bollywood film “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” Dr. Vikas Divyakirti also tried skydiving. According to him, he has experienced paragliding around 5 to 6 times.
  • During an interview, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti revealed that he admires Nitin Gadkari’s style in politics.

Vikas Divyakirti Controversy

In November 2022, while teaching UPSC aspirants, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti made a reference to the Ramayana, stating, “Lord Rama did not fight a battle with Ravana for Sita because she was not worthy, and Rama found her like she had been bitten by a dog.” This comment later spread like wildfire on social media, and users trolled him extensively, leading to the trending hashtag #BanDrishtiIAS.

Final Words

In this post, we delved into the detailed background of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, a former IAS officer and a renowned educator for UPSC exam preparation, extending beyond the UPSC aspirants to encompass students across the country. While you’ve explored Dr. Vikas Divyakirti’s impact, it’s worth noting that many inspiring stories of IAS officers exist besides him. These stories serve as motivation for all IAS candidates to focus more on their exams.

We can manifest our dreams through our efforts and hard work. We have read many stories that teach us that if we are not happy with our work, we should start working on our dreams. If you want to achieve something in your life, there is no alternative to hard work. In the end, we wish you a bright future ahead.

Frequently Asked Question 

Who is Dr. Vikas Divyakirti?

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is the founder and director of Drishti IAS academy located in Delhi. In addition to being the founder and director, he is a well-known educator for the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) examination. He assists his students in preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exams, providing guidance and support throughout the preparation process. His academy, Drishti IAS, is recognized for its contributions to the education and training of UPSC aspirants.

Who is the owner of Drishti IAS?

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is the owner of Drishti IAS.

How many IAS have been selected from Drishti IAS?

As of now, Drishti IAS has successfully coached more than a thousand IAS officers through Hindi medium.