Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, June 22: Sarthak Agarwal, the CBSE Class XII national topper of 2014, achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 17 in the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2020 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). What makes his achievement remarkable is that he cracked the exam in his very first attempt, with just five to six months of preparation, while working full-time with the World Bank.

Academic excellence

Hailing from Old Delhi and later moving to Gurugram, Haryana, Sarthak completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj. He made national headlines in 2014 when he topped the CBSE Class XII board exams with a staggering 99.6% in the commerce stream.

Sarthak pursued BA (Hons) in Economics at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University. He furthered his academic journey at Oxford University, where he completed a Master’s degree and an MPhil in Economics.

Professional background

At the time of his UPSC selection, Sarthak was working as a researcher with the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Global Practice Unit. Though originally posted in Washington D.C., he returned to India and worked remotely due to the pandemic. It was during this period that he began his UPSC preparation. He has also published opinion pieces and analytical articles in The Indian Express and previously engaged in research work in London.

UPSC preparation strategy

Unlike many aspirants who spend years preparing for the exam, Sarthak adopted a focused and self-driven strategy:

• No coaching: He chose not to join any coaching institute and relied solely on trusted online study material.

• Smart revision over bulky notes: Instead of making extensive notes, he preferred to read content multiple times to internalize concepts.

• Current affairs focus: For prelims, he relied heavily on newspapers rather than a fixed set of books.

• Mains preparation: He concentrated on enhancing his answer-writing skills.

• Mock interviews: To prepare for the personality test, he participated in multiple mock interviews to refine his responses and presentation skills.

A vision for public service

Sarthak said his decision to join the civil services stemmed from a deep desire to translate academic research into practical policy impact for the welfare of society. He sees his entry into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) not as the final achievement but as the beginning of a more meaningful and demanding journey.

“The tougher and more important part begins now—when I work in the real world, facing challenges, and trying to make a difference,” he stated.

Sarthak Agarwal’s story continues to inspire young aspirants across the country who dream of serving the nation through administrative roles, proving that with clarity of purpose and disciplined strategy, even the most competitive exams can be conquered.