Arjun Gowda IAS is an Indian Administrative Service officer known for his disciplined approach to governance, people-centric administration, and inspirational journey through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The biography of Arjun Gowda IAS reflects dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to public service, making the Arjun Gowda IAS profile highly motivating for UPSC aspirants across India.
Quick Facts Summary: Arjun Gowda IAS at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arjun Gowda |
| Profession | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service |
| Cadre | Karnataka Cadre |
| UPSC Rank | Information Not Publicly Available |
| Batch | Information Not Publicly Available |
| Current Position | Administrative Officer, Government of Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| State of Origin | Karnataka |
| Known For | Administrative Excellence and Public Service |
Personal Information: Who is Arjun Gowda IAS?
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arjun Gowda |
| Nickname | Arjun |
| Date of Birth |
May 9, 1992 |
| Age (2026) |
33 years |
| Birthplace | Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Information Not Publicly Available |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste/Community | Gowda (OBC Category) |
| Languages Known | Kannada, English, Hindi |
| Hobbies | Reading, Public Speaking, Social Work |
Arjun Gowda IAS represents the new generation of civil servants who have dedicated their lives to public service and nation-building. As a proud member of the Arjun Gowda IAS fraternity, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and administrative acumen throughout his career.
Family & Personal Life
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arjun Gowda IAS |
| Hometown | Rural Karnataka village |
| Family Background | Modest, middle-class; parents’ details private; no notable public family background |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh IAS (2019 batch, AIR 5 in UPSC CSE 2018) |
| Marriage Year | 2022 |
| Children | No public information; focus on professional and inspirational roles |
| Personal Interests | Travel, sports, dance, food |
| Notable Recognition | Part of IAS power couples often featured in Arjun Gowda IAS UPSC rank lists |
| Professional Alignment | Both doctors-turned-IAS; admired for public service and youth mentorship |
Arjun Gowda IAS UPSC Rank List Educational Background
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Arjun Gowda IAS |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 418 |
| Schooling | Local private school in Karnataka village |
| Higher Education | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) |
| College/University | Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences |
| Year of Graduation | 2016 |
| Academic Background | Strong foundation in medicine; later transitioned to civil services |
| Notable Achievement | Balanced medical career with UPSC preparation |
Physical Statistics
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Approximately 5’9″–5’10” (based on public images) |
| Weight | Around 70–75 kg |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Lifestyle / Fitness | Maintains a fit lifestyle through sports; shows strong discipline |
UPSC or Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone / Posting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | MBBS Completion | Graduated as a doctor from MIMS. |
| 2018 | UPSC CSE Attempt & Success | Secured AIR 418 in UPSC CSE 2018, as per arjun gowda ias upsc rank list. |
| 2019 | Joined IAS (Batch 2019) | Allocated to Madhya Pradesh cadre (initially Manipur, transferred). |
| 2020–2023 | Various field postings | Gained experience in district administration. |
| 2023–2024 | ADM, Harda District | Handled key administrative decisions, including mining cases. |
| 2024–Present | CEO, Zila Panchayat, Khandwa | Current role focusing on rural development and water conservation initiatives. |
Major Achievements & Recognition
Arjun Gowda IAS is recognized for:
- Clearing UPSC while working (inspiring routine shared publicly), as noted in arjun gowda ias upsc rank list.
- Authoring books on Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (GS Paper 4), including Hindi editions for aspirants.
- Active social media mentorship for UPSC youth.
- National Water Award 2025 for Khandwa district’s conservation efforts (amid controversy over images, clarified as unrelated to award process).
- Felicitations for women’s welfare and urban planning initiatives.
Despite controversies (e.g., 2025 mining fine reduction and AI image allegations, both denied with no evidence), Arjun Gowda IAS maintains focus on integrity. The arjun gowda ias upsc rank list celebrates his contributions.
Financial Information
As an IAS officer (CEO level), approximate salary: ₹80,000–₹1,50,000+ per month (plus allowances). Net worth: Modest (public servant focus, no extravagant reports). Arjun Gowda IAS emphasizes ethical financial philosophy, avoiding controversies. In the arjun gowda ias upsc rank list, his story promotes financial discipline.
Digital Presence & Contact
| Platform | Handle / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| @arjun_gowda__ias | Active; shares motivational content | |
| X (Twitter) | @GowdaIas | Personal views; engages with aspirants on UPSC tips |
| Purpose | Social media engagement | Shares insights on UPSC rank list and inspiration |
Detailed Biography: Dr. Arjun B. Gowda IAS
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda — popularly known as Arjun Gowda IAS — was born on May 9, 1992, in a rural village in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district. Growing up in a region severely affected by water scarcity, young Gowda personally experienced the hardships of procuring basic resources like water, often cycling long distances to fetch a few buckets. These early struggles instilled in him a strong empathy for rural communities and a deep appreciation for sustainable development, which later shaped his administrative focus.
Educational Struggles and Achievements
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Schooling: Attended a local private school in his village with limited resources.
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Higher Education: Went on to pursue MBBS at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, graduating in 2016.
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His strong academic performance laid a foundation of discipline and scientific rigor that later helped in his civil services journey.
UPSC Preparation Journey
After completing his medical degree, Dr. Gowda began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination while balancing work responsibilities. Through rigorous study—often 6–8 hours daily—and self‑designed strategies (including mock tests and structured timetables), he cracked the UPSC CSE in 2018, securing All India Rank (AIR) 418. He initially joined the Manipur Cadre in the 2019 IAS batch before being allocated to Madhya Pradesh Cadre.
Key Career Milestones
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Started his administrative career serving in Hardā district as ADM (Additional District Magistrate). Later, he moved to Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zila Panchayat.
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Under his leadership, Khandwa district emerged as a national leader in water conservation, leveraging community participation and low‑cost structures to manage groundwater and drought conditions.
Landmark Projects & Recognition
One of Dr. Gowda’s most notable achievements as an administrator has been heading comprehensive water conservation initiatives in Khandwa:
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Through the Jal Sanchay–Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan (Water Conservation and Public Participation campaign), the district constructed over 1.29 lakh water conservation structures, including rainwater harvesting systems and recharge pits, mobilizing community involvement across villages.
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Khandwa was declared a top performer nationally under this campaign and received a National Water Award and Rs 2 crore incentive from the Government of India, presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan in November 2025.
Challenges and Public Scrutiny
While widely praised for environmental and grassroots development work, Dr. Gowda’s tenure has also seen controversies:
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Some media and political voices alleged that AI‑generated images were part of the documentation submitted for award evaluation; the Khandwa district administration clarified that the award was based on verified field work and that the contested images were unrelated to the official evaluation.
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Earlier in 2025, questions were raised about his administrative decision in Harda district regarding reduction of a mining fine, which he publicly addressed and clarified in media responses.
Personal Life & Social Influence
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Dr. Gowda is married to Shruti Jayant Deshmukh, an IAS officer who secured AIR 5 in UPSC 2018; both serve in the Madhya Pradesh cadre and are regarded as an influential civil services couple.
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He maintains a strong digital presence, especially on Instagram and Twitter, where he shares motivational insights, UPSC preparation strategies, and administrative learnings.
Lessons & Inspiration
Dr. Arjun B. Gowda’s life reflects a journey from rural adversity to national administration, blending academic rigor, community‑centric governance, and personal resilience. His story highlights the importance of consistency, empathy, and adaptability—encouraging aspirants to approach challenges with discipline and integrity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Arjun Gowda IAS?
Arjun Gowda IAS, also known as Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, is a 2019-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He is a former medical doctor who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with AIR 418.
2. What is Arjun Gowda IAS’s UPSC rank?
Arjun Gowda IAS secured All India Rank (AIR) 418 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018.
3. What is the educational background of Arjun Gowda IAS?
He completed his MBBS from Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Karnataka, in 2016, before transitioning to civil services.
4. How many attempts did Arjun Gowda IAS take to clear UPSC?
Arjun Gowda IAS cleared the UPSC examination in his second attempt while simultaneously managing professional responsibilities.
5. Which cadre does Arjun Gowda IAS belong to?
He belongs to the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Initially, he was allocated to the Manipur cadre before cadre reallocation.
6. What posts has Arjun Gowda IAS held?
He has served in various administrative roles, including Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zila Panchayat, Khandwa.
7. What are the major achievements of Arjun Gowda IAS?
He is widely recognized for leading large-scale water conservation and rural development initiatives in Khandwa district, earning national-level recognition for community-driven governance.
8. Is Arjun Gowda IAS married?
Yes, Arjun Gowda IAS is married to Shruti Jayant Deshmukh, an IAS officer who secured AIR 5 in UPSC 2018.
9. Does Arjun Gowda IAS share UPSC guidance online?
Yes, he is active on social media platforms like Instagram and X (Twitter), where he shares motivational content, administrative insights, and guidance for UPSC aspirants.
10. Why is Arjun Gowda IAS an inspiration for UPSC aspirants?
His journey from a rural background and medical profession to the IAS demonstrates perseverance, discipline, and consistency, making him a strong role model for aspirants from non-traditional backgrounds.
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Nishant Kumar is the founder and lead content creator at OfficersDetails.com, a platform dedicated to delivering accurate, verified information about officers in government, corporate, and legal sectors. With a strong background in public administration and data research, Nishant is passionate about transparency, governance, and simplifying access to essential leadership profiles.