Vikas Divyakirti born on 26 December 1973, is a well-known Indian educator, author, and former civil servant. He is also a YouTuber and writer for Hindi films. He once worked in the Central Secretariat Service and is now the head and co-founder of Drishti IAS Coaching Institute, a well-known UPSC coaching center in Delhi.
Personal Information
- Name: Vikas Divyakirti
- Born: 26 December 1973 (Age 50)
- Birthplace: Bhiwani, Haryana, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Alma Mater: Delhi University
- Occupations: Teacher, Ex-civil servant, Entrepreneur
- Known For: Co-founding Drishti IAS Institute
- Spouse: Taruna Verma (married in 1997)
- Children: Satwik Divyakirti
- YouTube Channel: Vikas Divyakirti
- Years Active: 2024–present
- Subscribers: 3.77 million
- Total Views: 109 million
Early Life and Education
Vikas Divyakirti was born in Bhiwani, Haryana, and completed his early education at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, a Hindi medium school. He initially pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree at Zakir Husain Delhi College but later switched to studying History at Delhi University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then completed his Master's degree in Hindi Literature, where he achieved second rank in his first year at Zakir Husain Delhi College and later transferred to Hindu College for his final year, graduating with a Master of Arts in 1995.
He further pursued a Bachelor of Laws from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and later earned both a Master of Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy in Hindi Literature from the same university.
Career
After finishing his Master's degree, Vikas began teaching as an assistant professor at the University of Delhi. In 1996, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his first attempt, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 384. He was then trained at the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management and joined the Central Secretariat Service as a section officer in the Department of Official Language under the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
However, after a year of service, Vikas resigned and returned to teaching. In 1999, he founded Drishti IAS Coaching Institute in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi.
In November 2022, Vikas started his own YouTube channel, which quickly gained popularity, amassing over 3.75 million subscribers. Besides his main channel, he manages several other YouTube channels like Drishti IAS, Drishti IAS English, Drishti Judiciary, and more. In 2023, Vikas appeared in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's biographical drama film 12th Fail, where he played himself. He also contributed to the film's script.
Personal Life
Vikas is married to Taruna Verma, and they have a son. In 2023, he was nominated for the Padma Awards.
Views and Controversies
In 2022, Vikas faced significant criticism for his comments about the Ramayana. He quoted a Sanskrit author, stating that after the war, Rama told Sita, "I did not fight this war for you but for the honor of my lineage. Just as ghee licked by a dog is not fit for eating, you, Sita, are not fit for me." This statement led to widespread backlash, with some even demanding a ban on his coaching institute. Vikas later clarified his statement in an interview, saying that his claims were based on documented sources.
Vikas does not believe in the caste system; his surname "Divyakirti" reflects his parents' literary interests.
Filmography:
- 2023: 12th Fail – Played himself
Controversy:
The basement of his coaching institute, Drishti IAS, was sealed by the Delhi Municipal Corporation for violating norms and illegal use of the basement following the deaths of several students in a similar coaching center on 27th July 2024.
Vikas Divyakirti Net worth
Vikas Divyakirti's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million, which is about 25 Crore in Indian Rupees. This amount might change over time. He earns most of his money from his YouTube channel, Drishti IAS Coaching Classes, books, lectures, and workshops.
Vikas Divyakirti’s Net Worth in Rupees
Vikas Divyakirti’s net worth is around $3 million, or roughly 25 Crore in Indian Rupees. His net worth may vary, but his main sources of income include his YouTube channel, Drishti IAS Coaching Classes, as well as earnings from his books, lectures, and workshops.
