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Dr Vikas Divyakirti Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth26 December 1973

Age50 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceHaryana, India

ProfessionIAS trainer, Author, Lecturer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseDr Taruna Verma

FamilySon - Satwik Divyakirti; father was a college teacher; mother was a school PGT; two brothers (one software engineer in the US, one DIG in the CBI)

Dr Vikas Divyakirti Biography

Dr Vikas Divyakirti is an Indian educator, author and founder of Drishti IAS, known for teaching UPSC aspirants in Hindi and for his current affairs work.A

Early life and background

Vikas Divyakirti was born on 26 December 1973 in Haryana, India, and grew up in Bhiwani. He completed his schooling at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Bhiwani and went on to study at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi. From an early age he was drawn to politics and student public life, taking part in school parliamentary elections and later becoming active in campus politics during his time at Delhi University.

He comes from a middle-class family. His father worked as a college teacher in the region and his mother was a school PGT. Vikas has two brothers: one works as a software engineer in the United States and the other serves in the Indian civil service as a DIG in the CBI.

Education

Divyakirti pursued extensive higher education. He earned a BA in History and postgraduate degrees that include an MA in Hindi Literature and Sociology, an MPhil, an LLB, and a PhD. He also completed a postgraduate qualification in English-to-Hindi translation. His wide academic background reflects interests across literature, social sciences and law.

Career

After passing the UPSC exam on his first attempt in 1996, Divyakirti was assigned to a CISF Assistant Commandant post but was declared medically unfit. He worked in the central secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs for a period, serving as a desk officer in the Rajbhasha department before leaving to pursue other interests.

In 1999 he founded Drishti IAS, a coaching institute in Delhi aimed at UPSC aspirants. The institute began modestly with borrowed funds and a small inaugural batch. Divyakirti became known for delivering lectures in Hindi with a focus on simplifying complex topics so they were accessible to a broad range of students. He taught philosophy for many years and expanded Drishti into a prominent coaching centre.

Alongside classroom teaching, Divyakirti edits a monthly current affairs magazine, Drishti Current Affairs Today, and authored the book Nibandh Drishti. He also launched and runs a YouTube channel named Drishti IAS, started in 2017, which provides lecture material and exam guidance for aspirants; by 2021 the channel had amassed millions of subscribers.

Public profile

Divyakirti's public persona blends education, writing and media. He has been open about his personal outlook and influences: he has described himself as agnostic, noted ideological influences from figures such as Osho and thinkers like Karl Marx and Max Weber, and spoken about a period of atheism earlier in life. He has discussed his taste for cinema and filmmaking, having taken courses in film studies, and has a strong interest in subjects ranging from psychology and philosophy to political science.

Personal life

Vikas Divyakirti is married to Dr Taruna Verma, who serves as MD at Drishti – The Vision. The couple have a son, Satwik Divyakirti. He keeps a personal diary, enjoys reading, is fond of animals and owns a pet dog. He has described food and cultural preferences such as a liking for chana bhatura, tea, and several contemporary Indian films. He also engages in travel and has recounted experiences such as watching tennis in New York and trying skydiving.

Controversies and public reactions

At times his lectures have attracted public attention and debate. A lecture clip that circulated online in 2022 prompted criticism and social media backlash for remarks he made while discussing a classical epic. He remains a prominent, sometimes polarizing figure because of his public teaching and frequent media presence.

Latest updates

In September 2024, Divyakirti received two IIFA Awards for Best Story (Adapted) and Best Screenplay for the 2023 Hindi film 12th Fail. He has continued to expand his work across teaching, publishing and media while maintaining an active presence with students preparing for the civil services.
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Recent Work

12th Fail

Shared recognition with IIFA Awards for Best Story (Adapted) and Best Screenplay for the 2023 Hindi film

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Founder and director of Drishti IAS, a coaching institute for UPSC aspirants
  2. Editor of Drishti Current Affairs Today
  3. Author of the book Nibandh Drishti
  4. Launched the Drishti IAS YouTube channel in 2017 with millions of subscribers by 2021
  5. Recipient of two IIFA Awards in 2024 for the film 12th Fail
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dr Vikas Divyakirti born?

26 December 1973

What is Dr Vikas Divyakirti known for?

IAS trainer, Author, Lecturer

What is Dr Vikas Divyakirti’s marital status?

Married

Who is Dr Vikas Divyakirti married to?

Dr Taruna Verma