IAS Ankur Garg: Youngest UPSC topper who balanced IIT, Harvard, and Civil Services


Daijiworld Media Network - Punjab

Punjab, Sep 7: Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the toughest academic challenges in India. While many aspirants succeed only after multiple attempts, Ankur Garg scripted history by clearing the exam in his very first attempt in 2002 at the age of 22, securing All India Rank 1. At that time, he was the youngest ever UPSC topper.

A native of Patiala, Punjab, Ankur completed his electrical and electronics engineering from IIT Delhi (1998–2002) before attempting UPSC. With physics and chemistry as his optional subjects, he not only cleared the exam but also joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the AGMUT cadre in 2003.

Years later, his pursuit of knowledge took him to Harvard University, where he completed a master’s in Economics (2018–2020). His academic brilliance stood out again when he scored 171 out of 170 in Macroeconomics.

Currently serving in the AGMUT cadre, Ankur Garg continues to inspire aspirants with his journey from IIT to IAS and then Harvard. Married to Swati Sharma, with whom he has two sons, he often shares insights from his personal and professional life with over 12,000 followers on Twitter.

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jasbir Singh, CHANDIGARH

    Tue, Sep 09 2025

    He is an exceptionally young age achiever, but we have never heard him thereafter, as an indian administrator. What does it mean? Why suddenly this news again in2025. Any significant memorable contribution by him, so that people like me should be inspired by him. I don't understand why to glemorise his personal achievements.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • K Ramachandrappa, Dharmavaram

    Mon, Sep 08 2025

    Once he is my inspiration to prepare compitive exams in 2002.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr.shaik.suleman, Visakhapatnam, andhra pradesh

    Mon, Sep 08 2025

    At the at the outset we congratulate Mr Ankur Garge. My request is to write a book for the young generation to success in their life since he is having a perfect knowledge he can suggest some guidelines ortips for the young generation especially for the rural youth thank you for giving me this opportunity.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • V R Patel, Karnataka

    Mon, Sep 08 2025

    Pl. donot glorify the fact that he has cracked the Indian Civil Services Exam.While his undoubtable talent must draw my admiration, becoming IAS is not the pinnacle of his achievement; it is just the beginning of his journey with a glorious promise.We have seen many brilliant promises gone astray in the IAS.Havent we seen a topper of IAS arrested in Chhattisgarh for corruption? May he be saved from avrice,ahankaar,tand similar vices which are easy to acquire in the muddied moral climate of politics,media,and geo-political gamesmanship into which he will be drawn as a top civil servant.I was an IAS myself,but no where near him in talent,but with the advantage of my age-granted experience,I may say to this youngman : let your head be on your shoulders; may my country reap a rich harvest of your great mind in its glorious journey towards its undeniable civilisational greatness; be a sagacious,vinayavaan,couragious pillar of strength for my country; your talents makes me expect nothing less; in short be a good,great Hindu! Tathhastu!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mukul verma, Ranchi

    Mon, Sep 08 2025

    Great reply sir.. Becoming IAS may be his personal achievement only, the real success will be when he could make a great positive change in the Society, the most common motivation for aspiring bureaucrats and also the expectation of Society at large....

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  • Jossey Saldanha, Raheja Waterfront

    Sun, Sep 07 2025

    Brilliant ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: IAS Ankur Garg: Youngest UPSC topper who balanced IIT, Harvard, and Civil Services



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