13 Hours of Self-Study and Zero Coaching: MBBS Graduate Anuj Agnihotri Secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2025
13 Hours of Self-Study and Zero Coaching: MBBS Graduate Anuj Agnihotri Secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2025
Determination, discipline and a clear desire to serve society have helped 25-year-old Anuj Agnihotri achieve one of the most coveted milestones in the country. The young civil servant, who pursued medicine before shifting his focus to administration, has emerged as the All India Rank 1 holder in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.
The results for the exam were announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Friday, placing Agnihotri at the top of the merit list. His journey is notable not only because he transitioned from a medical background but also because he prepared for the exam entirely on his own, without enrolling in any coaching institute. According to his family, he followed a rigorous routine, studying for nearly 13 hours every day.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, Agnihotri credited his mother as the driving force behind his ambitions. “My mother has always motivated me to work for the welfare of people and to contribute towards improving the society around us,” he said.
Agnihotri completed his MBBS from AIIMS Jodhpur after beginning his medical studies in 2017. While pursuing medicine, he gradually realised that his long-term goals were linked to working at a broader administrative level.
Reflecting on that phase of his life, he shared that his career direction was not always clear. “At the beginning, I didn’t have a fixed career target. But one thing was certain in my mind—I wanted to serve people and create a meaningful impact on a larger scale,” he said.
During his MBBS years, the idea of entering civil services began to take shape. “While studying medicine, I realised that bringing real change also requires authority and administrative power. After discussing it with my parents, I decided to start preparing for the civil services examination,” he explained.
Agnihotri’s journey in public administration had already begun before his UPSC success. In 2023, he cleared the Union Territories Civil Services (UTCS) examination on his first attempt and is currently serving as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Delhi while undergoing his probation period.
Recalling the moment he cleared the UTCS exam, Agnihotri described it as an emotional experience. “When I found out that I had cleared the UTCS exam, it felt unreal. I went into my room, closed the door and cried for almost half an hour out of happiness,” he said.
Despite being busy with his training responsibilities as an SDM, he continued preparing for the UPSC examination. The 2025 attempt was his third attempt at the civil services exam, and his dedication eventually paid off with the top rank in the country.
His father, Krishna Bihari, who works as a technician at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement. “He never joined any coaching institute. Everything he accomplished is the result of his own dedication and relentless effort. He used to study for nearly 13 hours every day. We are extremely proud of him today, and I believe he will become one of the finest IAS officers in the country,” he said.
