From AIIMS Jodhpur to UPSC Rank 1: Rajasthan’s Anuj Agnihotri tops civil services exam; doc inspired by MS Dhoni’s story

JAIPUR/BHILWARA: Chittorgarh resident and MBBS graduate Anuj Agnihotri has topped the civil services examination for 2025, the results of which were declared Friday by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC).

Currently serving as a sub-divisional magistrate in New Delhi, Agnihotri was with his family in his native Rawatbhata in Chittorgarh when news of the achievement broke, leading to spontaneous celebrations across town and crowds of well-wishers descending on his home.


Talking to TOI, he said discipline and regular study were key to his achieving the top rank in what was his third attempt.

"I continued studying regularly with single-minded dedication, which has helped me achieve this success today. I want to give a message to the youth of the country: whatever goal you want to achieve, the most important thing is discipline," he said

Sharing details of his journey so far, Agnihotri said he studied in his hometown up till Class 10, after which he moved to Kota in 2015 to prepare for AIIMS and NEET-UG. In 2017, he secured an all-India rank of 215 in the AIIMS entrance exam and 306 in NEET-UG. Thereafter, he secured admission to AIIMS Jodhpur, from where he completed his MBBS in 2023.

Agnihotri said he began preparing for UPSC during his MBBS final year. After clearing the civil service exam in his very first attempt and securing the 52nd rank in the reserve list, he was appointed to the post of SDM in Delhi, which he joined in December 2024.

He was not satisfied with the post, however, and continued his preparations.

He cleared the UPSC exam again in 2024 but failed to make it through the interview. Agnihotri said the first two attempts helped identify his weaknesses and plan his preparations accordingly.

Taking to X to offer his congratulations, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma wrote, "Best wishes for a bright future to Anuj Agnihotri, a son of Rajasthan who has brought honor to the state... Your unprecedented achievement will serve as an inspiration to millions of youth".

Agnihotri's father, Krishna Bihari Agnihotri, works for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in Rawatbhata, while his mother, Manju, is a homemaker. His elder brother, Anshul, is a B Tech graduate who works for a private company in Hyderabad.

"Anuj was very inspired after watching the movie on cricketer M S Dhoni, and he always said he wanted to make it big in life," said his mother Manju.

"These past few years, we saw him study and revise again and again, as his medical background made preparations somewhat difficult compared to students with backgrounds in the humanities, but he never stopped trying. His hard work has been his biggest strength," she added.

Despite handling a rigorous study routine and work schedule in New Delhi, Anuj always made time for family and never neglected anyone. The only time he took it easy on himself was during a two-month break from studies before the UPSC main exams last year, Manju said.

Father Krishna Bihari noted that Anuj showed exceptional commitment to his studies throughout his academic journey. "He set his eyes on the UPSC even as he was pursuing his MBBS, demonstrating a determination to serve the public. With this accomplishment, he has taken a significant step towards fulfilling that ambition," the proud father said.

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