A Doctor’s Committed Dream To Serve The Nation

In recent years, an increasing number of highly qualified young professionals have begun to look beyond the boundaries of their specialised disciplines and turn toward public life. This unites them all in the singular dream of serving the nation. Engineers, scientists, lawyers and management graduates have all found their way into the civil services, drawn by the possibility of shaping institutions and touching lives.

Among them are also those who have chosen to step away from the world of medicine in order to serve society right from the grassroots. Continuing in this growing tradition is Mr. Anuj Agnihotri, a medical graduate from the prestigious AIIMS Jodhpur, who has secured the first rank in the Civil Services Examination 2025. His journey reflects not merely academic brilliance but a deeper impulse that enlivens many young aspirants across the country: the desire to serve the nation and participate in its governance with integrity and compassion. For countless candidates preparing for the examination, the civil services represent both a formidable challenge and a profound opportunity. They promise a career in which intellect, endurance and commitment come together in the service of society. Ashwini Gupta spoke with the young topper about his motivation, his preparation strategy and the personal interests that help keep him balanced in the midst of intense professional pursuit.

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AG: Agnihotri ji, what motivated you to opt for a career in the civil services although you already have an MBBS degree from a prestigious institution like AIIMS Jodhpur?

AA:The question whether doctors can also consider a career in the civil services has been debated for quite some time. It is true the country invests a lot of resources in training a doctor specially in a government college but I personally felt that I would be able to contribute more and derive better satisfaction if I become an administrator with a multi-faceted arena of responsibility.

AG: You have secured the 1st rank and would hopefully get any service you choose. Which is your preference?

AA:I would like to join the Indian Administrative Service because it offers a wider platform.

AG: A large number of candidates all over the country would be happy to know about your strategy for preparing for the examination. Can you give some details?

AA: I read newspapers regularly and also journals like Yojana and Kurukshetra. I practised writing answers under conditions like those of an actual examination with proper timing. When one takes the examination one has to write answers with a strict time limit and often one examination in the forenoon is followed by another in the afternoon. To some extent this is like a test of stamina and practice helps. Previous years’ question papers available on the UPSC website are quite helpful.

AG:What are your tips for choosing an optional subject?

Alot of candidates feel that some subjects are more scoring than others. Some people say that science subjects are difficult. Some candidates even change their optional subject in a second or third attempt. What is your advice?

AA: I chose Medical Sciences as my optional subject and some people had cautioned me that it would be difficult to get good marks in this. I believe candidates should choose an optional subject in which they have a good mastery of the overall subject. Merely trying to prepare a few important questions only for the examination will not work.

AG: Some candidates say that NCERT books for school students are helpful in preparing all the general studies papers.

AA: Yes, NCERT books can be helpful beginners but more than that, wide reading immensely helps. For example, a study of the full Indian Constitution improves understanding of political issues. It is also interesting to learn from a large number of online platforms and Youtube videos. A lot of Youtube videos are for entertainment but there are others that offer insightful content.

AG: In addition to tips for other candidates we would like to know more about you as a person. What are your interests and hobbies?

Do you play games?

AA: I am fond of watching standup comedy. I play tennis and badminton. I also practise meditation regularly

The question whether doctors can also consider a career in the civil services has been debated for quite some time… I personally felt that I would be able to contribute more and derive better satisfaction…

AG : Finally some word o f encouragement for candidates who get rejected?

AA: One should not take any failure to heart. Civil Services offer an appealing career option. One can work for the betterment of peoples’ lives in the civil services but there are so many other equally intriguing career options. Moreover a candidate who does not succeed in one attempt may do very well in a second or third attempt rightly echoing how failures are the stepping stones to success.

(THE INTERVIEWER IS A FREELANCE JOURNALIST)