Anuj Agnihotri UPSC 2025 AIR 1: Background, Marksheet & Journey
Explore AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2025 Anuj Agnihotri’s background, education at AIIMS Jodhpur, optional subject, attempts, and preparation strategy that led to his success.
UPSC Prelims
Current affairs
Latest Update
Mar 8, 2026
6
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Key Highlights:
Rank secured by Anuj Agnihotri: AIR 1
Age: 26
Number of Attempts: 3
Optional Subject: Medical Sciences
Educational Background: MBBS from AIIMS Jodhpur
Anuj Agnihotri has become an inspiration for UPSC aspirants across the country by securing All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Examination.
While Anuj Agnihotri has bagged the top spot in the merit list of UPSC CSE Result 2025 , Rajeshwari Suve M has secured AIR 2 and is the female topper of UPSC.
Akansh Dhull is at All India Rank 3 followed by Raghav Jhunjhunwala at AIR 4 as per the UPSC Toppers List 2025.
Anuj’s UPSC journey reflects how having a daily routine of rigorous study, focus and discipline can help you succeed and reach your goals.
Lets have a detailed look at Anuj Agnihotri’s background, attempts and success story through this blog.
Background of UPSC Topper Anuj Agnihotri
Anuj Agnihotri hails from Chitttorgarh district in Rajasthan.
His father works at the Nuclear Power Plant in Kota while his mother is a homemaker.
He completed 10th standard from Atomic Energy Central School.
He pursued his 12th grade education from M.B. Public Senior Secondary School in Kota.
After completing his high school education, Anuj decided to pursue an MBBS Degree from one of the top medical institutions in India- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur.
It was after completing his degree that Anuj made the decision to pursue an administrative career.
He was able to clear the Union Territories Civil Services (UTCS) examination in the first attempt in 2023. He is currently serving the probation period as an SDM in Delhi.
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UPSC Journey of Anuj Agnihotri
Anuj Agnihotri said in an interview with Hindustan Times that after completing his MBBS degree, he was unsure about his career path ahead. But he was sure he wanted to impact large sections of society. He also wanted to serve the people through his work.
He realised that bringing about real change in society required having a position of power and authority.
While being on probation as an SDM, the 25 year-old Anuj Agnihotri continued to prepare for UPSC exams.
In his third attempt, he successfully secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC CSE 2025 Exams. His success, after many attempts, shows the perseverance and planning needed to pass one of India’s toughest exams.
In media interviews, Anuj says his mother inspires him to serve people and bring change to society.
Optional Subject chosen by Anuj Agnihotri
UPSC Topper Anuj Agnihotri chose Medical Sciences as his optional subject in the UPSC Mains Examination.
Medical Sciences is considered to be a specialized optional subject in UPSC CSE Exam which is more often chosen by the candidates who have a medical degree.
As he had completed his MBBS from a top-ranking institute (AIIMS Jodhpur) , it was the most strategic choice for his optional subject as evident by his top rank in the UPSC Final Result 2025. His background provided him with solid foundational knowledge and conceptual clarity in Medical Sciences.
Anuj Agnihotri: UPSC AIR 1 Marksheet
Anuj Agnihotri’s marksheet shows his hard work and deep knowledge. The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination has nine papers in total. However, the board only uses seven of these papers to decide the final rank.
These seven papers include:
One Essay paper
Four General Studies papers
Two Optional Subject papers
Each of these papers is worth 250 marks. According to the 2024 UPSC Examination Rules, these scores determine a candidate's success.
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UPSC Preparation Strategy and Insights
Anuj Agnihotri was able to prepare for UPSC Civil Services Examination while juggling his professional commitments as SDM. This shows the importance of time and stress management during UPSC Preparation.
His educational background in medical sciences not only helped him in his optional subject but also honed his critical thinking and communication skills which are essential for the UPSC Interview Round.
According to his father, his rigorous study routine of 13 hours daily paid off and his dedication towards serving the people drove him to sincerely self-study for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Aspirants should dedicate a fixed amount of hours daily to study for UPSC.
Anuj Agnohotri’s journey is unique but there are some common strategies that UPSC Toppers follow which helps them succeed in the selection process:
Before analyzing advanced concepts, make sure to focus on core topics in the General Studies. This makes the more technical concepts easier to grasp.
Choose your optional subjects wisely, and ensure that you have a thorough knowledge of the subject.
Read newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express in order to stay informed about current affairs. Moreover, go through government reports and updates about global developments.
Make sure that you have a structured daily routine that you follow throughout your UPSC Preparation Journey.
Do not confuse yourself by referring to too many sources for studying concepts. While studying for the UPSC Exam, stick to standard study material like the NCERT Books and revise from them.
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
Who is the UPSC Topper 2025?
Where is Anuj Agnihotri from?
What is the educational qualification of Anuj Agnihotri?
After how many attempts did Anuj Agnihotri secure AIR 1 in UPSC Exam 2025?
Where can I download the UPSC topper list 2025?
The path to becoming UPSC Topper and securing AIR 1 is paved with disciplined focus, a strict routine and sheer hard work.
The UPSC CSE Exam is a difficult and competitive exam. To secure the highest rank in this examination is not an easy feat when most candidates struggle to qualify it.
It requires a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge, analytical skills as well as communication skills.
Anuj Agnihotri demonstrated all these qualities as well as the mental capacity to withstand the pressure of UPSC Preparation, becoming a role model for the youth who hope to serve the country.
