Every year, thousands of aspirants set their ambitious goals toward UPSC, JEE, NEET and other competitive exams. Amid the pressure to perform, many students search for and successfully find motivation within themselves. While aspirants believe that motivation will keep them focused and determined, sometimes productivity does not turn out as expected. However, UPSC AIR 1 Anuj Agnihotri believes that success depends on something far more reliable than motivation.Speaking on The Nachiket Bhatia Show, Anuj was asked about the one habit that played the biggest role in helping him achieve success. The answer the topper gave is not only an important lesson for students, but also parents who want to support their children.
26 May 2026 | 14:25
What’s the one parenting advice you completely disagree with?
The one thing Anuj Agnihotri priortises more than motivation
“Main discipline ko motivation se zyada prioritise karta hoon,” says Anjuj Agnihoti. According to him, motivation is something that is “inevitably going to dip.”Discipline on the other hand is something that one can maintain for long. He believes that discipline remains steady and allows students to continue working towards their goals regardless of how they feel.
“Main discipline ko motivation se zyada prioritise karta hoon,” says Anjuj Agnihoti.
His perspective highlights an important truth that many successful achievers often emphasise: long-term success is built on consistent effort rather than occasional bursts of inspiration. “If you’re targeting for an exam like UPSC, you’ll have to be disciplined, you have to be determined,” says the boy who achieved an all India Rank 1 in what’s considered as the toughest exam in the country. Noting that preparations do require rigorous practice hours, he adds, “but again there are some things that you can plan strategically.”
Many aspirants make this one mistake during preparation
While discussing preparation strategies, Anuj highlighted a mistake that many aspirants unknowingly make. “A lot of people miss revision,” notes Amuj. As Anuj explained, simply reading new content is not enough. “Unhe lagta hai ki main aur naya naya padhta rahu toh mera content develop hojaega. That is not right. If you’re not revising it, vo bhoolna hi hai.”Although Anuj Agnihotri’s advice comes from his UPSC journey, the message he delivered extends to every academic goal. Discipline, determination and regular revision is what it takes to keep going and ultimately achieve success.
Anuj’s mother revealed that she tried to create a routine and environment for her child.
The key takeaway for parents
Parents try to do their best when it comes to their child. Thus, knowing what’s best to do is the key to becoming a beneficial support system for them. For example, while speaking to ANI, Anuj’s mother revealed that she tried to create a routine and environment for her child. “I only took care of his diet,” she said in a grounded tone. Similarly, parents can support this by encouraging consistent study routines, realistic daily goals, and regular revision rather than constantly trying to motivate them. In the end, in a child’s success journey, parents play work in the shadows but play the most important role.
