Meet Anuj Agnihotri: India’s New UPSC Topper

New Delhi, March 8, KNT: In a remarkable achievement that has drawn national attention, Anuj Agnihotri from Rajasthan has secured All India Rank 1 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2025, emerging as the top candidate among thousands of aspirants across the country.

Agnihotri’s journey to the top rank reflects a blend of academic excellence, disciplined preparation and perseverance over several years. A trained doctor who completed his MBBS from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur, he chose to shift his career path from medicine to public administration with the aim of serving the country through the civil services.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as one of the toughest competitive examinations in India, attracting lakhs of candidates every year for a limited number of positions in prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).

According to reports, Agnihotri cleared the examination in his third attempt. In an earlier attempt he had already secured a place in the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS), but he continued preparing with the goal of improving his rank.

Born and raised in Rawatbhata town in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district, Agnihotri comes from a middle-class family. His father, Krishna Bihari Agnihotri, works as a technician at the Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata.

Family members and teachers say the environment at home emphasised discipline and education, which played a significant role in shaping his academic journey.

Agnihotri completed his schooling from Atomic Energy Central School and later pursued his higher secondary education in Kota, a city known for its intense academic coaching culture.

He subsequently secured admission to AIIMS Jodhpur, where he completed his MBBS degree in 2023.

Despite establishing himself in the demanding field of medicine, Agnihotri decided to prepare for the civil services examination, a decision that required balancing extensive study with the discipline acquired during medical training.

During his preparation phase, he reportedly maintained a study routine of eight to nine hours daily, focusing on conceptual clarity, revision and consistent self-assessment.

His optional subject in the civil services examination was Medical Science, drawing on his academic background in medicine.

In interviews following the announcement of the results, Agnihotri said that success in the civil services examination depends more on sustained discipline and consistent effort than on bursts of motivation.

Observers say his journey reflects a growing trend of professionals from diverse academic backgrounds—including engineering, medicine and law—entering the civil services in search of opportunities to contribute to governance and policymaking.

Agnihotri’s achievement has been widely celebrated in his hometown Rawatbhata, where residents and well-wishers gathered to congratulate his family after the results were declared.

Teachers who knew him during his early academic years described him as a focused and curious student who consistently demonstrated strong analytical skills.

Apart from academics, Agnihotri has also spoken about maintaining a balanced lifestyle during preparation.

Reports suggest that he follows sports closely and admires personalities such as cricketer Virat Kohli and Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

He has also said that humour and entertainment played a role in managing stress during the demanding preparation period.

In a lighter moment during discussions about the interview stage of the examination, Agnihotri revealed that he had even prepared a Bollywood song in case the UPSC interview board asked him to sing.

Observers say such anecdotes reflect the importance of maintaining composure and confidence during the personality test stage of the civil services examination.

The UPSC examination process involves three stages: the preliminary examination, the main written examination and the personality test.

Candidates are evaluated not only on academic knowledge but also on analytical ability, ethical outlook and administrative aptitude.

With his top rank, Agnihotri is expected to be allocated the Indian Administrative Service, one of the most sought-after services in the civil services framework.

Public administration experts say candidates like Agnihotri bring valuable multidisciplinary perspectives into governance, particularly when they come from professional backgrounds such as medicine.

His success story has also become a source of inspiration for civil services aspirants across the country who continue to prepare for the examination despite its highly competitive nature.

For many young aspirants, Agnihotri’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance and long-term commitment to achieving ambitious goals.

As celebrations continue in his hometown and across academic circles, Agnihotri’s achievement is being viewed as another example of how sustained effort and disciplined preparation can lead to success in one of India’s most challenging examinations. [KNT]