No dhols, no VIPs: Meet IAS Couple Madhav Bhardwaj & Aditi Varshney who made their courtroom wedding iconic

Indian marriages are popularly known by the phrase ‘the big fat Indian wedding’, characterised by dhols, nagadas, and grand venues at special destinations, with celebrity performers, and budgets that rival small economies.

But recently, two young IAS officers, Madhav Bhardwaj and Aditi Varshney, stepped away from the usual and tied the knot in a courtroom without the usual fanfare.

IAS duo ties knot in a simple courtroom

Two IAS officers from the 2023 batch made headlines for their understated wedding on Wednesday at Alwar's Mini Secretariat in Rajasthan. SDM Madhav Bhardwaj, posted in Alwar, and SDM Aditi Varshney, based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, registered their marriage before District Collector Arpita Shukla. According to NDTV Rajasthan, "when two IAS officers arrived to register their marriage without any security or fanfare... even the staff present there were stunned."

There were no band, no baraat, no VIP guests; just parents and siblings witnessed them exchange garlands in the collector's chamber. This court ceremony turned the government office into an impromptu wedding spot, sending ripples of admiration online.

A love story from training days

Their romance sparked during IAS training. Madhav, from Mussoorie, and Aditi, originally from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, turned friendship into love with family blessings. Opting for a registered marriage over a lavish affair, they embraced simplicity. India TV reported, "both met during IAS training... their meeting turned into love, and they decided to spend their lives together."

In an era of crore-rupee weddings, their decision proves that love needs no pomp and show.

Who is Madhav Bhardwaj?

Madhav Bhardwaj clinched All India Rank 536 in UPSC CSE 2022 under the Locomotor Disability category. An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he overcame physical challenges to crack India's toughest exam. He shifted from a Microsoft job to civil services.

Who is Aditi Varshney?

Aditi Varshney acquired AIR 57 on her first UPSC attempt in 2022. A Miranda House alumna from Delhi, with a businessman father, she elevated Bareilly's pride.

The IAS duo embraced simplicity

This union isn't flashy, but it's profound - two dedicated officers modelling restraint amid ostentation. Their story went viral on Instagram and news sites, urging us toward mindful living. In Alwar, the mini secretariat became a symbol of quiet strength.