UPSC 2025 Topper Anuj Agnihotri credits luck and hard work after historic feat

In a remarkable achievement, Kota’s Anuj Agnihotri, a doctor by profession, has secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the examination is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Agnihotri achieved this milestone in his third attempt, making his journey a story of perseverance, dedication, and patience.

The result has brought pride not only to his hometown of Kota but also to aspirants across the country who view his success as a powerful source of inspiration.

Top Rankers of the Examination

While Anuj Agnihotri claimed the top spot, Rajeshwari Suve M secured the second rank, and Akansh Dhull finished third in the prestigious examination. Agnihotri had chosen Medical Science as his optional subject, reflecting his academic background in medicine.

A Journey of Persistence and Discipline

Agnihotri’s path to the top was not without challenges. In his first attempt, he was selected for the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) and is currently undergoing training.

Known for his disciplined preparation strategy, he relied mainly on online coaching and also received interview guidance from Ensure IAS in Delhi during the final stages of his preparation.

Coming from a modest family background, his father works at the Nuclear Power Plant in Kota, while his mother is a homemaker, making his achievement even more inspiring.

However, after scaling heights, Anuj opened up about his journey, process, and things he wants to do in the future.

"The feeling is very good as the achievement is huge, so I am just processing it. My first attempt was in 2023. I started preparing during my internship in 2022, and it's 2026 now, so obviously, it's been a long time. The journey to UPSC requires a lot of effort. It's a gruelling journey, but the final result is good, so everything feels good. This was my third attempt. During my first attempt, I got DANICS, so I was training under that. I did not count anything how many hours I studied; it depends on the situation. Some days you read for more time, and some days you read less. But maintaining consistency is necessary, so I am focusing on that. My family has always supported me," he said 

"My friends were in touch with me. They gave me nice inputs. I was training, and everyone was an aspirant, so they gave me good inputs. Now, wherever I go, I will start from SDM. It was a nice job, but if I get opportunities to explore and achieve more, then I will try to achieve something else," concluded UPSC Topper Anuj Agnihotri.

UPSC Results and Next Steps

A total of 958 candidates have qualified for services such as IAS, IFS, IPS, and other central services. Candidates can check their roll-number-wise results on the official UPSC websites.

The written examination was conducted in August 2025, while the personality tests took place between December 2025 and February 2026.

An Inspiring Story for Aspirants

Anuj Agnihotri’s journey from a doctor in Kota to UPSC topper stands as a testament to resilience, consistent effort, and belief in one’s goals, an inspiring reminder that perseverance can eventually turn aspirations into reality.