The present invention provides a particulate water absorbing agent for a thin type absorbing substrate suitable for actual use. A particulate water absorbing agent having irregularly pulverized shape, characterized by comprising, a surface crosslinked water-absorbing resin obtained by crosslinking polymerization of an unsaturated monomer with an acid group and/or salts thereof, which absorbing agent contains agglomerated particles therein and further satisfies (i) centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) in a physiological saline solution of not lower than 32 g/g, (ii) mass median particle size (D50) of 200 to 400 .mu.m, and (iii) particles smaller than 600 .mu.m and not smaller than 150 .mu.m of 95 to 100% by weight. By using the particulate water absorbing agent, such absorbing articles can be obtained as have few rugged surface after water absorption, excellent liquid permeation property.