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Archit Dongre,AIR-3, UPSC CSE 2024
- Dongre Archit Parag from Pune, Maharashtra, secured All India Rank 3 in UPSC CSE 2024 on his second attempt, after AIR 153 in 2023, also topping Maharashtra state-wise.
- A B.Tech graduate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from VIT Vellore, he chose Philosophy as optional. Previously in IT, his disciplined strategy emphasized foundation-building and self-assessment, opting for IFS. 7
Background and Academic Profile of Dongre Archit Parag
- Dongre Archit Parag topped UPSC CSE and also topped Maharashtra state-wise. He completed schooling in Mumbai, earned a B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from VIT Vellore, and worked briefly in IT before dedicating to civil services. From a supportive family—father a businessman, mother a homemaker—he chose Philosophy optional.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dongre Archit Parag |
| All India Rank | AIR 3, UPSC CSE 2024 (2nd attempt); AIR 153 in 2023 (1st attempt) |
| Hometown | Pune, Maharashtra (topped state-wise) |
| Family Background | Father: Businessman; Mother: Homemaker |
| Professional Background | Brief IT job post-graduation before focusing on UPSC |
| Optional Subject | Philosophy |
| Service Choice | IFS |
| Schooling | Completed in Mumbai |
| Undergraduate Degree | B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, VIT Vellore |
Educational Background
Initial Schooling of Archit Dongre was from Mumbai and then he went to South India for his Higher education as mentioned in the table below:
| Level | Institution / Board | Degree / Qualification | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schooling (10th & 12th) | Schools in Mumbai | Completed secondary education | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Undergraduate | VIT Vellore | B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering | Vellore, Tamil Nadu |
Preparation Strategy of AIR-3, UPSC 2024 Topper
- Archit Dongre, AIR 3 in UPSC CSE 2024, emphasized building a strong foundation through structured classroom learning, focusing on conceptual clarity via regular sessions, assignments, and mentorship.
- For Prelims, he mastered practice and revision by solving PYQs, taking rigorous mocks for exam temperament, and conducting detailed post-test analysis to refine strategy and fill gaps.
- In Mains, he started answer writing early with daily practice, using logical structure, diagrams, statistics, and toppers' copies to align with UPSC expectations; cyclical revision and concise notes ensured retention.
- Philosophy optional was chosen due to genuine interest, enabling deep study with selective sources, mocks, and PYQs.
- He prioritized resilience with 40-45 minutes daily exercise, breaks, balanced diet, and peer support to sustain motivation over the marathon journey from IT professional to topper.
- This disciplined, introspective approach—enjoying learning without shortcuts—drove his leap from AIR 153 (2023) to AIR 3.
Inspiration for Aspirants
- The story of Archit Dongre from an IT professional to AIR 3 in IAS 2024 traces the whole process of diligence, disciplined strategy, and continuous self-improvement.
- His journey makes it clear that one can definitely win by the power of systematized learning, regular practice, and mental toughness.
- The focused pathway of Dongre from IT professional to topper is indeed a source of inspiration for the aspirants who are targeting high ranks in competitive exams.