Bareilly, UP: In a rare and significant development in the Uttar Pradesh administrative landscape, Alankar Agnihotri, the City Magistrate of Bareilly, has tendered his resignation. The move, reportedly triggered by his disagreement with the UP government policies and the new UGC rules, has caused ripples in bureaucratic circles, as it is uncommon for a serving PCS officer to publicly challenge government directives.
Background and Early Life
Alankar Agnihotri hails from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. A bright student from an early age, he secured the 21st rank in the UP Board examinations in 1998. He went on to pursue a B.Tech from IIT BHU and later earned an LLB degree. Before joining the civil services, Agnihotri worked in the IT sector for 10 years as a consultant.
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Journey to the Uttar Pradesh PCS
Alankar Agnihotri cleared the UP PCS exam in his first attempt in 2019, showcasing his dedication and perseverance. He was known for his straightforwardness, strict work ethic, and administrative acumen.
Before his posting in Bareilly, he served as:
- SDM in Lucknow, Unnao, and Balrampur
- Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Lucknow
In May 2025, he was posted as the City Magistrate of Bareilly, where he continued to maintain a reputation for efficiency and integrity.
Resignation and Social Media Statement
Alankar Agnihotri submitted his resignation citing disagreement with government policies and what he referred to as the “black law” under the new UGC rules. In a social media post, he shared a poster reading:
“Withdraw the black law”
“Boycott BJP”
In his resignation letter, Agnihotri wrote:
“I, Alankar Agnihotri, am currently a gazetted officer of the 2019 batch in the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Service, serving as City Magistrate in Bareilly district… I had the privilege of earning a B.Tech degree from IIT BHU… Inspired by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya’s vision and the establishment of Banaras Hindu University, I am expressing my thoughts further.”
This bold move by a serving officer is being widely discussed as an unprecedented statement against government policies by a mid-career bureaucrat.
Notable Achievements
- Cleared UP PCS in the first attempt (2019 batch)
- Served as SDM in multiple districts: Lucknow, Unnao, and Balrampur
- Worked as Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Lucknow
- 10-year IT sector experience before joining civil services
Educational Excellence: B.Tech (IIT BHU), LLB
Agnihotri is considered a dynamic officer, balancing administrative work with principled stands on policy matters, making his resignation noteworthy.
Public and Administrative Reactions
Alankar Agnihotri’s resignation has sparked a debate in administrative and political circles, highlighting concerns over the impact of UGC rules on government officials and the growing trend of civil servants taking public positions on policy disagreements.
Experts suggest that resignations like these, though rare, reflect increasing awareness among officers about ethical governance and accountability.
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