Among the Competitive Exam preparations, there is rarely any name which has been admired and respected as much as that of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti. Famous for his interactional teaching style, simplicity, and unmatched dedication, he came out to be a beacon of hope for thousands of UPSC aspirants. Vikas Divyakirti was born in the mid-1970s and is estimated to be in his late 40s as of 2024. However, his influence and impact on the Indian education system go far beyond the confines of age. From being a nondescript student to one of the most respected and popular teachers in India, his life journey is indeed an inspiration for many and offers ample lessons that might prove really useful for youngsters.
Early Life and Education
Vikas Divyakirti was born and brought up in a middle-class family in Haryana, India. His childhood was filled with a love for learning and respect for education. Since childhood, Vikas showed an aptitude, really unique in studies, always topping academics. A general attribute in his nature was the hunger to know more and insatiable curiosity.
Vikas did his early schooling in Haryana and later pursued his higher studies in Delhi. Later, he did a Master’s in Hindi Literature, which rooted the inclination of love for languages, philosophy, and thought of mankind. Further, he has an MA in Sociology and History to his credit-a sign of his multidirectional academic pursuit. The thirst didn’t stop here. He added a Ph.D. to his many pieces of degrees, doing a course in Law in addition to further diversifying the range.
One underlying factor differentiates Vikas Divyakirti from other teachers, and that is the uncanny ability for simplification even of the most complicated topics. His method of teaching is not oriented to mere book-based concepts. He has incorporated real-life examples, humor, and relatable anecdotes in his way of teaching the students-not only to entertain them but to make their learning rather easy about certain difficult concepts.
Civil Services and Beyond
In 1996, Vikas Divyakirti achieved one of the coveted milestones in India: he cleared the Civil Services Examination and got into the Indian Administrative Service. The success of cracking one of the most fearsome examinations in the world-UPSC-landed him a career which many dream about. But this wasn’t the ultimate aim for Dr. Divyakirti.
Being a serving IAS officer, he came to realize his calling in teaching and mentoring future aspirants of the civil services rather quickly. Unlike many people who remain committed to governmental service for prestige and security that comes along with it, Vikas did not waste much time and boldly took a drastic step to resign from the IAS. He did so because now he wanted to share his inputs so as to help other aspirants follow an easier route to passing the UPSC exam.
Coming into Being of Drishti IAS
Drishti IAS was founded by Vikas Divyakirti in 1999 to coach UPSC aspirants and spread awareness related to the examination. The initiative that had started on a small note soon emerged as one of the most well-recognized UPSC coaching institutes in India. Drishti IAS has been known for its holistic approach towards the quality of study materials given and the manner in which Vikas used to teach students.
His teaching style has more often than not been summarized as “simplifying the complex”. Be it polity, history, or current affairs, he possesses an uncanny ability to break down intricately complex ideas into bite-sized chunks which come across quite easily to students of all hues and persuasions. The contents made his classes popular, but also for his wit and humor. His casual but effective way of teaching created an environment wherein students were able to learn w/o being overwhelmed.
Vikas Divyakirti: A Revolutionary in Education
Vikas Divyakirti is one such man who democratizes learning. He knows that students across different strata in society may not go through the mill of elitist education and, therefore, that particular lacuna is what he takes care of. This is a person who always believed that Hindi was supposed to be accepted as a medium of instruction in competitive examinations in order for it to stand on par with English-a fact, to my perception, very unbeatable. Wherein, being specific to the contribution he has made towards Hindi medium education, it has been revolutionary in the mode of coaching for civil services, hence making quality education available for thousands of students coming from rural and semi-urban areas.
The thrust that Vikas Divyakirti provided to Hindi-medium coaching was like a whiff of fresh air in a world where, by and large, the institutes for coaching have been dominated by the English medium. This effort has also made a path for aspirants who would be left behind in the fray due to disadvantages created by language. Under his mentorship, Drishti IAS also came up with Hindi and bilingual study materials to bridge the gap between English-dominated resources and the need for the same by non-English-speaking students.
Social Media Impact Created by Vikas Divyakirti
Of late, the impact of Dr. Divyakirti has gone beyond the four walls of a physical classroom. The arrival of social media platforms like YouTube provided an avenue to connect with millions of students who cannot afford to go to the brick-and-mortar coaching institutes. His YouTube channel, Drishti IAS, has gone ahead to become an educational sensation with millions of subscribers. He utilizes the platform to share free lectures, exam strategies, and other guidance on a host of subjects related to UPSC preparation.
The digital era gave a multiplier to his voice, enabling him to touch lives from the length and breadth of the country. His videos were not tutorials alone but statements of his philosophy-that education should be inclusive, affordable, and understandable for all. Be it a lesson in ethics, a discourse on constitutional law, or an analysis of ongoing events, Vikas Divyakirti’s presentations remain insightful, lucid, and understandable for students hailing from different backgrounds.
Personal Life and Work-Life Balance
Despite being one of the busiest tutors in town, Vikas Divyakirti is still glued to his roots. His personal life inspires as much as his professional journey. He is married to Dr. Taruna Verma, an academician herself, who is very actively involved in the management of Drishti IAS. They believe together in making education a tool for social upliftment.
He learned to balance between professional and personal life all these years. Vikas keeps his family life and personal time in order amidst the hustle and bustle of running a successful coaching institute, mentoring thousands of students, and managing an online platform.
The Philosophy of Vikas Divyakirti
Vikas Divyakirti’s philosophy sounds something like this: Education is the birthright of all, irrespective of socio-economic background, languages, and background. His life stands testimony to a belief in itself. Time and over, he has proved that every dream can become true if one gets guidance, motivation, and resources at the right time.
Vikas believes that UPSC is not a test to check one’s knowledge but it is a test of endurance, patience, and strategy. Many times, he enumerates, “Success in civil services examination is as related to mental toughness as it is associated with academic preparation.” His lectures, therefore, create awareness among his students about the need for time management, steady studies, and a well-balanced attitude toward learning.
Conclusion
Though his age may put Dr. Vikas Divyakirti in the late 40s, the impact of his life has spanned across generations. As a teacher, mentor, and visionary, preparation for civil services and his contribution to the Indian Education System run into Crores. His life is a standing example of how passion, dedication, and love for teaching can bring about a change in the lives of thousands. Whereas Vikas, through his institute Drishti IAS and with his digital presence, was a source of inspiration and mentorship to hundreds of aspirants day in and day out that success is achievable with the right kind of approach.
His age was only a number in this life that was all about intellectual curiosity, teaching at its best, and making education accessible to one and all.
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