History Repeats After 15 Years: Medical Sciences Optional Produces AIR 1 Again in UPSC CSE 2025
The Crown Returns to Medical Sciences Optional.
A doctor with Medical Sciences Optional once again tops the UPSC Civil Services Examination as Dr. Anuj Agnihotri secures AIR 1 in CSE 2025, echoing the historic achievement of Dr. Shena Aggarwal (AIR 1, 2011).
For aspirants of Medical Sciences Optional, the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 mark a truly historic moment. Dr. Anuj Agnihotri securing All India Rank 1 is not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for the entire medical fraternity. Remarkably, the last time a doctor with Medical Sciences optional topped the examination was 15 years ago, when Dr. Shena Aggarwal secured AIR 1 in 2011.
This rare repetition of history reinforces the strength and relevance of Medical Sciences as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It demonstrates that doctors, with their analytical training, disciplined study habits, and deep understanding of science and society, are uniquely equipped to excel not only in medicine but also in governance.
The journey from doctor to civil servant represents a powerful transition — from treating individual patients to shaping policies that impact millions of lives. Achievements like these inspire thousands of young doctors who aspire to contribute to public service through the civil services.
For those preparing with Medical Sciences optional, these milestones are a reminder that with the right strategy, consistent preparation, and clarity of approach, the highest ranks in UPSC are well within reach.
Read the Full Stories of These Historic Achievements
👉 Dr. Anuj Agnihotri – AIR 1, UPSC CSE 2025 (Medical Sciences Optional)
https://upsc.medcampus.io/dr-anuj-agnihotri-air-1-upsc-cse-2025-medical-sciences-optional/
👉 Dr. Shena Aggarwal – AIR 1, UPSC CSE 2011 (Medical Sciences Optional)
https://upsc.medcampus.io/dr-shena-aggarwal-scored-air-1-in-upsc-cse-with-medical-sciences-as-optional/
A Message for Doctors Preparing for UPSC
As history repeats itself, it sends a powerful signal to the medical fraternity: doctors can reach the very top of the UPSC examination. For aspirants choosing Medical Sciences optional, initiatives like UPSC Medico aim to make this journey more structured, focused, and achievable by helping doctors convert their medical knowledge into exam-oriented preparation.
LIST OF TOPPERS IN UPSC CSE (IAS/IPS) with Medical sciences optional background
- Dr. Shena Aggarwal AIR 1, 2011
- Dr. Anuj Agnihotri – AIR 1, 2025
- Dr. Artika Shukla AIR 4, 2015
- Dr. Anshu Priya AIR 16, 2o21
- Dr. Roman Saini AIR 18, 2013
- Dr. Diksha Joshi AIR 19, 2o21
- Dr.P.Srija AIR 20, 2020
- Dr. Vipin Garg AIR 20, 2015
- Dr. Aswathy Srinivas AIR 40, 2019
- Dr. Nandini Devi K AIR 54, 2016
- Dr. Arun S Nair AIR 55, 2019
- Dr. Kiranmayi Koppisetti AIR 56, 2o21
- Dr. Suyash Chavan AIR 56, 2017
- Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma AIR 62, 2018
- Dr.Dheeraj Kumar singh AIR 64, 2019
- Dr. Akhsita Gupta AIR 69, 2020
- Dr. Aaditya Sharma AIR 70, 2022
- Dr. Prashanth S AIR 78, 2023
- Dr. Anjali Garg AIR 79, 2022
- Dr. Darpan Ahluwalia AIR 80, 2019
- Dr. Ajay Singh Rathore AIR 87, 2023
- Dr. Prasanna Kumar AIR 100. 2020
- Dr.Rajesh kumar Mohan AIR 102, 2020
- Dr. Sarda Tejas Sudeep AIR 128, 2023
- Dr. jitendra Agrawal AIR 128, 2019
- Dr. S Nithila Priyanthi AIR 143, 2023
- Dr. Anchu Wilson AIR 156, 2020
- Dr. Syed Mustafa Hashmi AIR 162, 2o21
- Dr. Vinayak Kumar AIR 180, 2023
- Dr. Lavina sinha AIR 183, 2016
- Dr. Rehana bashir AIR 187, 2018
- Dr. Sarabraj Singh – AIR 201, 2025
- Dr. Sachin Goel AIR 209, 2023
- Dr. Lalith Kumar V AIR 211, 2o21
- Dr. Yashvardhan Singh – AIR 212, 2025
- Dr. Arun Pandian N – AIR 213, 2025
- Dr. Parul Yadav AIR 227, 2o21
- Dr. Tarun AIR 231, 2023
- Dr. Asrar Ahamd Kichloo AIR 248, 2019
- Dr. Gopal Krishna AIR 265, 2017
- Dr.Nitesh gupta AIR 287, 2020
- Dr. Suraj Kumar AIR 294, 2023
- Dr. M Pavan Kumar Reddy – AIR 297, 2025
- Dr. Akanksha Singh – AIR 301, 2025
- Dr. Sivasakthivela C AIR 349, 2023
- Dr. Pragati Rani AIR 355, 2023
- Dr. Nidhi patel AIR 364, 2017
- Dr. Shumaila Chaudhary AIR 368, 2o21
- Dr. Akanksha Jha AIR 371, 2022
- Dr. Ghulam Maya Din AIR 388, 2023
- Dr. Anket Jadhav AIR 395, 2023
- Dr. Nagarjuna Gowda AIR 418, 2019
- Dr. Nitesh Kumar Dahiya AIR 425, 2023
- Dr. ISSAC JOSE AIR 430, 2023
- Dr. Ankita – AIR 442, 2025
- Dr. Debjyoti Halder – AIR 443, 2025
- Dr. Danish Rabbani Khan AIR 447, 2023
- Dr.Bhanu Prakash AIR 448, 2022
- Dr. Nivedita C Bhavimani – AIR 469, 2025
- Dr. Ram Kishan – AIR 474, 2025
- Dr.Pretty S Prakash AIR 485, 2020
- Dr.Rajdeep singh AIR 495, 2020
- Dr. Shivank Chowdhary AIR 530, 2023
- Dr. Padmaja Suresh A – AIR 536, 2025
- Dr. Alok kumar AIR 549, 2022
- Dr. Akanksha Milind Tamgadge AIR 562, 2o21
- Dr. Mohana priya AIR 577, 2022
- Dr. Varun Gowda AIR 594, 2022
- Dr.Santosh Bhaviri AIR 607, 2020
- Dr. Shreyas Rao G AIR 651, 2023
- Dr. Sumedh Jadhao AIR 687, 2022
- Dr. Ajay Doke AIR 687, 2023
- Dr. Purushotam Jhorad – AIR 691, 2025
- Dr. Shumaila Choudary AIR 703, 2022
- Dr. Nadish Choudhary – AIR 706, 2025
- Dr. Vipin Dubey AIR 708, 2022
- Dr. Yashvardhan singh AIR 728, 2022
- Dr. Vivek Reddy N AIR 741, 2023
- Dr. Roshni TS AIR 754, 2023
- Dr. KOH E SAFA – AIR 763, 2025
- Dr. Krishan Tiwari AIR 764, 2023
- Dr. Pulkit Bajaj AIR 765, 2023
- Dr. Reshma M – AIR 773, 2025
- Dr. Vapani John – AIR 800, 2025
- Dr. Shreya chauhan AIR 804, 2022
- Dr. Gazala Ghanchi Mohmadhanif AIR 825, 2023
- Dr. Rahul meena AIR 856, 2022
- Dr. Megha Rajora AIR 862, 2022
- Dr. Pranjal Bayla – AIR 890, 2025
- Dr. Sonam Jorwal – AIR 904, 2025
- Dr. Dheeraj Singh Kunwar AIR 959, 2023
Why Medical Sciences is a Powerful Optional for Doctors in UPSC
For medical graduates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, choosing the right optional subject is one of the most important decisions. Medical Sciences offers a unique advantage for doctors because it builds upon years of prior academic training.
Unlike many other optionals that require learning an entirely new discipline, Medical Sciences allows doctors to leverage their MBBS foundation, making preparation more structured and efficient.
Some of the key advantages include:
1. Familiar Academic Base
Most topics in the UPSC Medical Sciences syllabus overlap with subjects already studied during MBBS, reducing the learning curve.
2. Scientific and Analytical Approach
Doctors are trained to think logically, analyze problems systematically, and present structured answers — skills that are extremely valuable in the UPSC mains examination.
3. Compact and Defined Syllabus
Compared to many humanities optionals, the Medical Sciences syllabus is well-defined and relatively stable, allowing aspirants to prepare with greater clarity.
4. Proven Track Record of Success
The fact that two doctors have secured AIR 1 with Medical Sciences optional — Dr. Shena Aggarwal in 2011 and Dr. Anuj Agnihotri in 2025 — speaks volumes about the subject’s potential.
For doctors who aspire to move beyond clinical practice and contribute to public policy, healthcare systems, and governance, the Civil Services offer a powerful platform. Medical Sciences optional provides a natural bridge between a doctor’s academic training and the demands of the UPSC examination.
