Dr Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate from AIIMS Jodhpur, secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. His remarkable achievement has attracted nationwide attention because of his unique journey from medicine to public administration.

Coming from a modest background in Rajasthan, Agnihotri’s success story reflects perseverance, disciplined preparation, and a strong commitment to public service.

Early Life and Background of Dr Anuj Agnihotri

Dr Anuj Agnihotri belongs to Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota in Rajasthan. He completed his early schooling in his hometown before moving to Jodhpur for higher education. He completed his 10thfrom Atomic Energy Central School, in Rawatbhata and 12th from M.B. Public Senior Secondary School in Kota.

He comes from a middle-class family. His father reportedly works as a technician at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, while his mother is a homemaker.

Growing up in a small town, Agnihotri witnessed the challenges of governance and development at the grassroots level. These experiences later shaped his aspiration to work in public administration and policy-making.

Education: MBBS from AIIMS Jodhpur

Anuj Agnihotri pursued MBBS at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, one of India’s premier medical institutions. He began his medical studies in 2017. Completed his compulsory medical internship in 2023.

During his time at AIIMS Jodhpur, he was not only focused on academics but also took leadership roles. He served as the batch representative for nearly five years, coordinating between students and faculty and helping organise academic and cultural activities.

His medical background later influenced his understanding of public health policy, healthcare infrastructure, and crisis preparedness.

Transition from Medicine to Civil Services

Although medicine offered a rewarding career path, Agnihotri decided to pursue civil services because of the broader impact it could create. According to his own explanation, he was attracted to civil services due to the dynamic and diverse nature of administrative work, which allows officers to contribute across multiple sectors of governance.

His goal was to work in a public-facing role where he could interact directly with citizens and address governance challenges. This vision motivated him to start preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination after completing his medical internship.

UPSC Journey and Attempts

Dr Anuj Agnihotri’s path to success required perseverance. Key highlights of his UPSC journey:

  • Attempt: Third attempt
  • Previous success: Cleared Union Territories Civil Services (UTCS) examination in his first attempt
  • Current role before UPSC result: Officer in Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) training
  • Study routine: Around 13 hours of study daily during preparation

His preparation was largely based on self-study combined with online resources and interview guidance, demonstrating that disciplined preparation can succeed even without extensive classroom coaching.

Optional Subject and Preparation Strategy

In the Civil Services Examination, Agnihotri chose Medical Science as his optional subject, leveraging his medical background. His preparation strategy reportedly included:

  • Strong conceptual clarity from NCERTs and standard books
  • Extensive answer writing practice
  • Continuous revision
  • Focus on current affairs and policy issues

Mock interviews and personality test preparation: His medical training also helped him develop a scientific approach to policy analysis, particularly in areas such as healthcare systems and pandemic preparedness.

Interests and Personality: Despite his intense preparation schedule, Anuj Agnihotri maintained interests beyond academics.

His hobbies include: Watching cricket, Following stand-up comedy, Interest in public policy discussions. He is also known to admire Indian sports personalities such as Virat Kohli and PR Sreejesh.

These interests reflect a balanced personality, which is often considered important during the UPSC personality test stage.

UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 Result

The Union Public Service Commission declared the Civil Services Examination 2025 results on 6 March 2026.

Key facts about the examination cycle:

  • Written (Mains) examination: August 2025
  • Personality Test: December 2025 – February 2026
  • Candidates recommended for services: 958
  • Total vacancies reported: 1,087

By securing AIR 1, Dr Anuj Agnihotri topped one of the toughest competitive examinations in India.

Quick Facts About Dr Anuj Agnihotri

Name: Dr Anuj Agnihotri

UPSC Rank: AIR 1 (UPSC CSE 2025)

Hometown: Rawatbhata, Rajasthan

Education: MBBS, AIIMS Jodhpur

Attempt: Third attempt

Optional Subject: Medical Science

Previous Service: DANICS

Hobbies: Cricket, stand-up comedy

Disclaimer: This article and image is based on inputs from various websites, news portals, coaching institute portals and Youtube.

Check: Civil Services Examination UPSC 2025 Results

Check www.upsc.gov.in UPSC official website