Anuj Agnihotri
AIR 1, UPSC 2025
Preparation Strategy, Booklist, Marksheet Analysis & His Interview Guidance Journey with Legacy IAS Academy — a story of persistence, strategic preparation, and the power of structured interview mentorship.
1. Introduction — The Journey to Rank 1
On 6 March 2026, the Union Public Service Commission declared the final results of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 — and the name at the very top of the merit list was Anuj Agnihotri. With a total of 1071 marks out of 2025, he not only secured All India Rank 1 but also achieved the highest topper score since 2017, when Anudeep Durishetty had recorded 1126 marks.
Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 and was associated with Legacy IAS Academy, Bengaluru, through its Interview Guidance Program (IGP). The structured mentorship, mock interviews, and personality assessment he received through the IGP played a significant role in his exceptional interview performance — 204 marks out of 275.
What makes Anuj’s achievement remarkable is not just the rank — it is the path. A doctor from Rajasthan who chose civil services over medicine, who cleared the exam in his third attempt while serving as a DANICS probationer, and who understood that success in UPSC demands preparation at every stage — including the one that many candidates underestimate: the Personality Test.
This article traces his complete journey — from his academic background and motivation, through his preparation strategy across all three stages, to the specific role that the Legacy IAS Interview Guidance Program played in taking him from a strong written score to the country’s top rank.
2. Who is Anuj Agnihotri?
Anuj Agnihotri is a medical doctor and now UPSC Civil Services topper who hails from Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan — a town known for its nuclear power facilities. His father works at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant, and his parents instilled a strong academic discipline in him from an early age.
Education
Anuj completed his Class 10 from Atomic Energy Central School in Rajasthan and Class 12 from M.B. Public Senior Secondary School, Kota. He then secured admission to one of India’s most prestigious medical institutions — the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur — where he completed his MBBS in 2023. His academic training at AIIMS gave him not just medical knowledge but the analytical rigour, scientific thinking, and communication skills that proved invaluable in both the Mains examination and the Personality Test.
Motivation for Civil Services
Despite completing his MBBS from a premier institution with a promising medical career ahead of him, Anuj chose to pursue civil services — driven by his mother’s inspiration and a genuine desire to serve people and bring positive change to society at a broader scale. As he articulated in media interactions: his goal was to contribute to governance and policy in a way that medicine alone could not enable.
Before securing AIR 1, Anuj had already cleared the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) — a Group B Gazetted administrative service — and was serving as a probationer in that capacity while continuing his UPSC preparation. This balance of active administrative work alongside demanding examination preparation demonstrates the discipline and time management that define his journey.
Historical note: Anuj Agnihotri’s AIR 1 with Medical Sciences optional is historically significant — it is only the second time in 15 years that a doctor with Medical Sciences optional has topped the UPSC CSE. The previous instance was Dr. Shena Aggarwal, AIR 1 in 2011. His achievement has reinvigorated interest in Medical Sciences as an optional subject across the UPSC aspirant community.
3. UPSC Journey — Timeline & Turning Points
4. Association with Legacy IAS Academy — Interview Guidance Program
Anuj Agnihotri participated in the Interview Guidance Program (IGP) at Legacy IAS Academy, Bengaluru. Legacy IAS Academy provided interview mentorship to AIR 1 Anuj Agnihotri through its structured IGP — a program specifically designed to help UPSC candidates maximise their performance in the Personality Test stage.
The Legacy IAS Interview Guidance Program is designed around a fundamental insight: the UPSC Personality Test is not an examination of knowledge — it is an assessment of character, perspective, and administrative aptitude. The board evaluates how a candidate thinks, handles intellectual pressure, articulates complex ideas, and demonstrates the values and judgment expected of a senior civil servant.
For Anuj Agnihotri, interview preparation through Legacy IAS involved a structured sequence of preparation activities that built his interview readiness comprehensively — not just as a performance exercise, but as a genuine refinement of how he presented his ideas and engaged with complex questions.
What IGP Provided
- Structured mock interviews under board-like conditions
- Detailed DAF (Detailed Application Form) analysis
- Personality assessment and feedback
- Current affairs discussion sessions
- Communication skill development
- Guidance from experienced mentors
Areas of Development
- Articulating medical knowledge in governance context
- Handling cross-domain questions with clarity
- Projecting calm confidence under board pressure
- Developing balanced views on policy questions
- Preparing for questions on DANICS experience
- Refining introduction and self-presentation
Anuj Agnihotri enrolled in the Interview Guidance Program at Legacy IAS, Bengaluru — where his personality, articulation, and interview readiness were refined to perfection. Interview preparation support from Legacy IAS Academy contributed meaningfully to his AIR 1 result.
— Legacy IAS Academy, Bengaluru · Congratulating Anuj Agnihotri, UPSC CSE 2025 AIR 1Anuj Agnihotri was associated with Legacy IAS Academy through the Interview Guidance Program. Legacy IAS Academy provided interview mentorship to AIR 1 Anuj Agnihotri — a relationship that reflects Legacy IAS’s commitment to preparing candidates not just for the written stages of UPSC, but for the complete examination experience that determines final rank.
5. How Interview Guidance Contributed to AIR 1
The Personality Test carries 275 marks out of 2025 — approximately 13.6% of the total. At the level of Mains qualification, most top-ranked candidates have comparable written preparation depth. The Interview is therefore a critical differentiator for final rank.
Anuj Agnihotri’s written total was 867 marks. His interview score was 204 marks — giving him a final total of 1071. For context, AIR 2 Rajeshwari Suve M scored 1067 (865 written + 202 interview) and AIR 3 Akansh Dhull scored 1057 (864 written + 193 interview). The margin between Rank 1 and Rank 2 was just 4 marks — a margin entirely within the range that structured interview preparation can deliver.
The Interview dimension at AIR 1 level: Anuj’s 204 interview score — 11 marks higher than Akansh Dhull at AIR 3 — is directly attributable to the quality of his interview preparation. In an examination where 4 marks separate first from second place, structured IGP coaching is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity.
What the IGP Specifically Developed
- ✓Personality presentation: The ability to present one’s background — as a medical doctor turned administrator turned UPSC aspirant — as a coherent, compelling narrative rather than a biographical list.
- ✓Cross-domain articulation: Integrating his medical knowledge with governance questions — a distinctive perspective that the board found valuable and that emerged through mock interview practice.
- ✓Pressure handling: Mock interviews under conditions that simulate actual board pressure — multiple panelists, unexpected question angles, follow-up probing — built the composure that distinguishes 200+ interview scorers.
- ✓DAF mastery: Every line of Anuj’s Detailed Application Form — AIIMS background, DANICS service, Rajasthan roots, Medical Sciences optional — was prepared as potential interview territory, eliminating blind spots.
- ✓Current affairs depth: Discussion-based current affairs preparation that went beyond factual recall to develop informed, balanced opinions on policy — the quality boards look for in future administrators.
6. Marksheet Analysis — Anuj Agnihotri UPSC CSE 2025
| Paper | Marks Obtained | Maximum Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (Paper I) | 108 | 250 | 43.2% |
| GS Paper I (History, Geography, Society) | 111 | 250 | 44.4% |
| GS Paper II (Governance, Polity, IR) | 127 | 250 | 50.8% |
| GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, S&T) | 103 | 250 | 41.2% |
| GS Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity) | 126 | 250 | 50.4% |
| Optional Paper I (Medical Sciences) | 142 | 250 | 56.8% |
| Optional Paper II (Medical Sciences) | 150 | 250 | 60.0% |
| Written Total | 867 | 1750 | 49.5% |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 204 | 275 | 74.2% |
| Final Total | 1071 | 2025 | 52.9% |
Key insight from the marksheet: Anuj’s highest performing areas were Optional Papers (150 and 142 — leveraging his AIIMS background) and the Personality Test (204 — reflecting his structured IGP preparation at Legacy IAS). His GS-II score of 127 is the highest among his GS papers, consistent with his practical administrative experience as a DANICS SDM. The interview score of 204 — a 74.2% performance on a 275-mark paper — is exceptional and directly reflects the quality of his interview preparation.
7. Booklist & Resources
Anuj Agnihotri followed the principle that defined his entire preparation — focus on fewer, better sources and revise them thoroughly rather than reading widely and shallowly. His booklist reflects this discipline.
| Subject / Paper | Primary Sources | Supplementary |
|---|---|---|
| Polity (GS2) | M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity | PRS Legislative Research, Supreme Court judgements, constitutional amendments |
| Modern History (GS1) | Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India | NCERT Class 12 (Themes in Indian History) |
| Ancient & Medieval History | NCERT Class 11 & 12 | Standard revision notes |
| Geography (GS1) | NCERT Physical & Human Geography | Standard Atlas, PMF IAS for conceptual clarity |
| Economy (GS3) | NCERT Macroeconomics Class 12, Economic Survey | Budget documents, government reports, quality newspapers |
| Environment (GS3) | NCERT Biology, Shankar IAS Environment | MoEFCC reports, PIB environment updates |
| Ethics (GS4) | Lexicon for Ethics, case study practice | Thinker quotes, value-based essay practice |
| Science & Technology (GS3) | NCERT + Current Affairs | PIB, The Hindu Science, government R&D reports |
| Optional — Medical Sciences | MBBS curriculum + AIIMS academic background | Clinical textbooks (Harrison, Park’s PSM), previous year optional papers |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu (daily), The Indian Express | PIB, PRS, Yojana, monthly CA compilations |
Anuj’s booklist philosophy: “Do not confuse yourself by referring to too many sources. Stick to standard study material like NCERT Books and revise from them.” His exceptional optional score (142+150 = 292 out of 500) came not from extra books but from the depth of his MBBS-level understanding — a reminder that subject mastery, not book count, drives optional performance.
8. Preparation Strategy — Prelims, Mains & Interview
Prelims Strategy
Anuj’s Prelims approach was rooted in thoroughness over breadth. He focused on achieving near-complete command over standard sources before extending into peripheral material. Regular mock tests, previous year question analysis, and daily current affairs integration were constant throughout his preparation. CSAT received dedicated practice rather than being treated as a formality.
| Prelims Area | Approach |
|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | 3+ full revisions of standard sources; PYQ analysis for pattern; weekly full-length mock tests |
| CSAT (Paper 2) | Dedicated practice sets; Reading Comprehension + Numeracy; timed mock papers |
| Current Affairs | Daily newspaper reading; monthly compilation review; linking events to static GS topics |
| Mock Tests | Full-length tests every 10 days in the final 3 months; detailed error analysis after each test |
Mains Strategy
Mains preparation was where Anuj’s medical background and administrative experience converged into a genuine competitive advantage. His GS-II score of 127 — the highest among his GS papers — reflects the depth of understanding that comes from actively working in public administration as a DANICS officer while preparing for the examination. He practised answer writing daily and focused on multi-dimensional analysis of GS topics.
| GS Paper | Key Focus | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Philosophical depth + contemporary relevance; practised timed essay writing | 108 |
| GS 1 | History, Geography, Society — conceptual clarity; static + current integration | 111 |
| GS 2 | Polity, Governance, IR — supplemented by active administrative experience | 127 |
| GS 3 | Economy, Environment, S&T — medical background aided understanding of health policy and biotechnology | 103 |
| GS 4 (Ethics) | Case studies, value-based answers, authentic personal voice developed through experience | 126 |
| Optional (Med. Sci.) | MBBS curriculum + exam-oriented practice papers; built on deep academic foundation | 292 (142+150) |
Interview Strategy
For the Personality Test, Anuj enrolled in the Interview Guidance Program at Legacy IAS, Bengaluru. His preparation was structured around three pillars: deep DAF analysis covering every aspect of his background (AIIMS, DANICS service, Rajasthan roots, Medical Sciences optional); mock interview practice that simulated actual board conditions and built pressure-handling composure; and current affairs discussion sessions that developed his ability to engage with policy questions from both medical and administrative perspectives.
The result — a 204 out of 275 interview score — reflects the specific value of structured, feedback-oriented interview preparation over self-directed study.
9. Study Routine
Anuj Agnihotri’s father confirmed that he studied approximately 13 hours daily throughout his preparation. This discipline — maintained consistently across months — is the foundation upon which all other preparation advantages were built. The structure of his daily routine balanced content study, answer writing practice, current affairs, and physical and mental recovery.
| Time Slot | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 – 6:30 AM | Newspaper reading (The Hindu / Indian Express) — marking key items | 1 hour |
| 7:00 – 10:00 AM | Optional subject study (Medical Sciences) — rotating topics | 3 hours |
| 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM | GS subject study — static content (rotating: Polity / History / Geography / Economy) | 2.5 hours |
| 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Answer writing practice (2–3 GS or Essay answers, timed) | 2 hours |
| 4:30 – 6:30 PM | Current affairs consolidation + note integration with GS syllabus | 2 hours |
| 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Revision — previous day content + PYQ practice | 2 hours |
| 9:30 – 10:30 PM | Next-day planning + light reading (editorials, PIB) | 1 hour |
Key discipline: Anuj maintained this routine while serving as a DANICS probationer — adjusting study sessions around administrative duties rather than replacing them. This consistency under real-world professional pressure is one of the most instructive aspects of his journey for working professional aspirants.
10. Lessons for UPSC Aspirants from Anuj Agnihotri’s Journey
Choose Optional Strategically
Anuj’s decision to choose Medical Sciences — aligned with his MBBS background — yielded 292 out of 500 marks in optional. Optional selection aligned with academic depth, not popularity, is a consistent predictor of exceptional optional scores.
Take Interview Preparation Seriously
Anuj enrolled in the Legacy IAS IGP for structured mock interviews and DAF analysis. His 204-mark interview score — contributing directly to the 4-mark margin that separated AIR 1 from AIR 2 — is proof that structured interview preparation is not a luxury but a decisive investment.
Consistency Over Intensity
13 hours of disciplined daily study — not irregular marathon sessions — was the foundation of Anuj’s preparation. Sustainable consistency over months outperforms sporadic intensity. Every successful UPSC journey is built on this principle.
Fewer Sources, Deeper Coverage
Anuj’s booklist was focused and standard. His advice — stick to NCERT books and standard sources, revise thoroughly — runs counter to the instinct to read everything available. Depth of engagement with a focused source set consistently outperforms surface coverage of many books.
Perseverance Across Attempts
Anuj secured AIR 1 in his third attempt — having already cleared DANICS and working as an SDM. Each attempt built preparation depth rather than depleting motivation. UPSC is a journey that rewards those who learn from each cycle rather than those who expect success on the first.
Real-World Experience Enriches GS
Anuj’s active administrative experience as a DANICS officer directly contributed to his GS-II score of 127 — his highest GS paper. Candidates with professional experience should leverage it explicitly in Mains answers and interview discussions, not treat it as separate from their preparation.
