The Aggarwal and Marwari Communities in Competitive Examinations
Dr. Mohit Aggarwal
Historian, Aggarwal Community, Delhi
India has a commercial history dating back several thousand years. There are several trading communities in India that have traditionally contributed to the country’s economic prosperity through their business activities. Among these, the Aggarwal and Marwari communities hold an important position. Originating from Haryana and Rajasthan, respectively, these communities spread across the country and established a distinct reputation for themselves throughout India.
Since Independence, competitive examinations have steadily gained prominence in India. At present, there are several major competitive examinations in the country. This article highlights the role and representation of these communities in some of these examinations.
Between 2016 and 2026, a total of 92 candidates secured positions among the top three ranks in the Chartered Accountancy examinations. Of these, 87 belonged to the Bania community, including 31 Aggarwals. Together, they accounted for 60.9% of the total candidates in this category.
In the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), 11 candidates belonging to the Bania community secured the first rank between 1973 and 2025, accounting for 23% of the total first-rank holders. Of these, seven secured the top position between 1973 and 1999, while the remaining four did so between 2000 and 2025.
In the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering admissions, 19 candidates belonging to the Bania community secured the first rank between 1960 and 2026, representing 28.8% of the total top rank holders.
Similarly, in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions, ten candidates belonging to the Bania community secured the first rank between 2013 and 2026, accounting for 29.4% of the total. These included eight Aggarwals (23.5%), one Gujarati (2.9%), and one Khandelwal (2.9%).
In the Judicial Services Examination, between 2008 and 2026, nine candidates belonging to the Bania community secured the first rank, representing 45% of the total. Among them were five Aggarwals (25%), three Maheshwaris (15%), and one Gujarati (5%).
This information has been compiled on the basis of the surnames of the candidates. These examination statistics undoubtedly provide an interesting example of the community’s achievements. They reflect intellectual acumen, a deep understanding of financial matters, administrative capabilities, and sharp analytical skills.
These achievements demonstrate that members of this community possess not only business acumen but also considerable aptitude in various other fields of knowledge and professional pursuits.
In keeping with the changing demands of the present times, it is equally important for members of our community to explore professions beyond business and trade. These professions are also significant for our community, as society increasingly needs talented individuals in these fields. It is not necessary for everyone to pursue business alone. Many individuals are also accumulating substantial wealth and achieving considerable success through these professional avenues.