Apala Mishra IFS AIR 9: Record 215 Interview Score Journey

Year	Award/Honor	Awarded By	Recognition For
2016	UPSC Topper Award (AIR 9)	Government of India	Excellence in Civil Services Examination
2019	Best SDM Award	UP Government	Outstanding Rural Development Work
2020	COVID Warrior Award	District Administration	Exceptional Pandemic Management
2021	Women Empowerment Champion	National Commission for Women	Transformative Women-Centric Programs
2022	Digital Governance Excellence Award	Ministry of Electronics & IT	Innovative E-Governance Initiatives
2023	Outstanding Administrator Award	UP Chief Minister’s Office	Administrative Excellence
2024	Young Leader Award	National Leadership Forum	Inspiring Youth Leadership

Detailed Biography: The Apala Mishra Story

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Born on June 15, 1991, in the historic city of Lucknow, Apala Mishra grew up in a household where books were treasured companions and education was considered the greatest wealth. Her father, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, would often tell her stories of great administrators and freedom fighters who shaped India’s destiny. These narratives planted the seeds of civil service in young Apala’s mind.

Apala Mishra spent her childhood in a modest two-bedroom apartment in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. Her mother, Sunita Mishra, managed the household with limited resources but ensured that neither Apala nor her younger brother ever felt deprived. The Mishra household valued simplicity, integrity, and compassion—values that would later define Apala Mishra’s administrative style.

Educational Struggles and Triumphs

School Years: At St. Francis School, Apala Mishra was known for her insatiable curiosity and leadership qualities. She participated in debates, science exhibitions, and social service activities. Her teachers recall her as a student who asked profound questions and wasn’t satisfied with superficial answers. When Apala Mishra secured 96.4% in her Class 10 boards, it came as no surprise to those who knew her dedication.

IIT Roorkee Experience: Cracking JEE and securing admission to IIT Roorkee was a proud moment for the Mishra family. At IIT Roorkee, Apala Mishra encountered brilliant minds from across the country. The rigorous academic environment challenged her, but she thrived. Beyond academics, Apala Mishra volunteered with the National Service Scheme (NSS), teaching underprivileged children in nearby villages. These experiences exposed her to the harsh realities of rural India and strengthened her resolve to work for societal transformation.

The UPSC Preparation Journey

The Decision: After graduating from IIT Roorkee in 2011, Apala Mishra faced the crossroads that many engineering graduates face—lucrative corporate jobs or the uncertain path of UPSC preparation. Unlike many of her batchmates who joined multinational companies, Apala Mishra chose the road less traveled. She returned to Lucknow and began her UPSC preparation from home, guided by her father’s encouragement and her mother’s unwavering support.

The Struggle Years (2012-2015): Apala Mishra’s UPSC journey was far from smooth. Her first attempt in 2012 ended in disappointment when she couldn’t clear the Prelims. Instead of being disheartened, Apala Mishra analyzed her mistakes and restructured her preparation strategy.

In 2013, she cleared Prelims but failed to make it through Mains. This partial success gave her hope but also taught her that clearing UPSC required not just hard work but strategic preparation. The year 2014 brought her closest to success—she cleared both Prelims and Mains but couldn’t secure a rank in the final list after the interview. This was perhaps her most challenging moment. Many aspirants quit after such near-misses, but Apala Mishra’s resilience was tested and proven.

The year 2015 was another setback when she couldn’t clear Mains. At this point, Apala Mishra was 24 years old, and societal pressure began mounting. Relatives questioned her career choice, friends who had joined jobs were settling down, and self-doubt occasionally crept in. But Apala Mishra’s family stood rock-solid behind her.

The Victory (2016): The year 2016 marked Apala Mishra’s redemption. With five years of preparation, countless hours of study, and lessons learned from previous failures, Apala Mishra appeared for UPSC CSE 2016 with a calm confidence. When the results were declared, and she saw her name at All India Rank 9, it felt surreal. Apala Mishra had not just cleared UPSC; she had secured one of the top ranks in the country.

The news of Apala Mishra’s success spread like wildfire in the UPSC preparation community. Her story became a beacon of hope for aspirants facing repeated failures. Apala Mishra’s UPSC rank list achievement, especially after multiple attempts, proved that persistence coupled with smart preparation yields results.

Training and Foundation Years (2017-2018)

Apala Mishra joined the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for her foundation training. The rigorous two-year training program at LBSNAA transformed her from a civil services aspirant to a professional administrator. Apala Mishra excelled in various modules, particularly in rural development, public policy, and crisis management.

During her district training in Saharanpur, Apala Mishra lived in villages, understanding ground realities, administrative challenges, and the pulse of rural India. These formative months shaped her administrative philosophy—governance should be empathetic, inclusive, and results-oriented.

Career Milestones and Landmark Initiatives

As Sub-Divisional Magistrate (2018-2019): Apala Mishra’s first independent posting as SDM in Saharanpur district tested her theoretical knowledge against practical challenges. She handled land disputes, election duties, disaster management, and development projects simultaneously. Her approach was characterized by accessibility—she held regular public hearings and ensured that no citizen left without being heard.

One of her landmark initiatives during this period was the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” implementation at the grassroots level. Apala Mishra personally visited schools, organized awareness camps, and ensured that girl children received educational scholarships without bureaucratic delays.

COVID-19 Management in Meerut (2019-2020): When the COVID-19 pandemic struck India in 2020, Apala Mishra was serving as Additional District Magistrate in Meerut. This period defined her crisis management capabilities. Apala Mishra worked 18-hour days, coordinating with health departments, establishing quarantine centers, ensuring food supply to vulnerable populations, and maintaining law and order during lockdowns.

Her innovative approach included:

• Converting marriage halls and community centers into quarantine facilities
• Organizing volunteer networks for home delivery of essentials to senior citizens
• Establishing tele-medicine centers in rural areas
• Creating transparent communication channels to combat misinformation

Apala Mishra’s leadership during the pandemic earned her the “COVID Warrior Award” and appreciation from the Chief Minister’s office.

Women Empowerment as CDO, Lucknow (2020-2021): As Chief Development Officer in her hometown Lucknow, Apala Mishra launched comprehensive women empowerment programs. Understanding that economic independence is crucial for women’s empowerment, she:

• Established vocational training centers in every development block
• Facilitated micro-credit programs for women entrepreneurs
• Created market linkages for women’s self-help groups
• Launched digital literacy programs specifically targeting rural women

Over 50,000 women benefited from these initiatives during Apala Mishra’s tenure. Several women entrepreneurs who started small businesses under her guidance now employ others, creating a multiplier effect.

Digital Governance Pioneer (2021-2022): As District Magistrate of Bulandshahr, Apala Mishra embraced technology as a tool for transparent and efficient governance. She launched:

• Samadhan Portal: A grievance redressal system where citizens could track complaint status in real-time
• E-District Services: Digitization of certificate issuance processes, reducing corruption and delays
• Digital Attendance System: In government offices and schools to ensure accountability
• Farmer Connect App: Direct communication channel between farmers and agricultural officers

These initiatives earned Apala Mishra the “Digital Governance Excellence Award” from the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Other districts began replicating her digital governance model.

Mahakumbh Preparation in Prayagraj (2022-2023): Apala Mishra’s administrative acumen was put to test when she was posted as District Magistrate of Prayagraj, responsible for organizing aspects of the Mahakumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The logistical challenges were immense—managing millions of pilgrims, ensuring sanitation, providing medical facilities, maintaining law and order, and preventing stampedes.

Apala Mishra’s meticulous planning, coordination with multiple agencies, and use of technology for crowd management ensured a successful event. Her work during Mahakumbh preparation showcased her ability to handle mega-events and complex administrative challenges.

Current Position in Varanasi (2024-Present): Currently serving as District Magistrate of Varanasi, one of India’s most significant cultural and religious centers, Apala Mishra is focusing on:

• Heritage conservation while enabling tourism development
• Improving civic amenities for residents and tourists
• Environmental protection, especially Ganga rejuvenation projects
• Supporting local artisans and traditional industries

Apala Mishra’s vision for Varanasi is to make it a world-class heritage city that preserves its ancient character while providing modern amenities.

Landmark Projects:

“Nayi Disha” Women Empowerment Initiative: Apala Mishra conceptualized and implemented this comprehensive program that combined skill development, financial literacy, market linkages, and legal awareness for rural women. The program won the National Women Empowerment Award in 2021.

“Shiksha Samvad” Education Quality Initiative: Understanding that government schools form the backbone of India’s education system, Apala Mishra launched Shiksha Samvad, involving parents, teachers, and community members in school management. The initiative led to improved attendance, better infrastructure, and enhanced learning outcomes.

“Swachh Nagar, Swasth Nagar” Sanitation Drive: Going beyond Swachh Bharat Mission, Apala Mishra’s sanitation drive focused on behavioral change along with infrastructure development, resulting in several villages achieving ODF Plus status.

Conclusion

Apala Mishra’s journey from a determined student in Lucknow to a top-ranked IAS officer serving in Varanasi embodies the transformative power of civil services in India. Her story—marked by perseverance through multiple UPSC failures, achieving AIR 9, and making significant administrative impact—continues to inspire thousands.

The Apala Mishra UPSC rank list achievement stands not just as a personal victory but as a beacon for every aspirant facing setbacks. Her administrative career demonstrates that civil services is not merely about securing a rank but about meaningful service to society.

As Apala Mishra continues her journey, balancing heritage conservation in Varanasi with modern governance, she represents the new generation of Indian administrators—tech-savvy, empathetic, innovative, and deeply committed to nation-building.

Her message to aspirants remains clear: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal—it is the courage to continue that counts. Your UPSC journey might be difficult, but serving India is worth every struggle.”

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Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is Apala Mishra’s current position?

Answer: As of 2024, Apala Mishra serves as District Magistrate and Collector of Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh. She is responsible for overall administration, law and order, development programs, and implementation of government schemes in the district.

2. What was Apala Mishra’s UPSC rank?

Answer: Apala Mishra secured All India Rank 9 (AIR 9) in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2016. She achieved this rank in her fifth attempt, after facing failures in four previous attempts (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015).

3. Is Apala Mishra married?

Answer: Yes, Apala Mishra is married to Mr. Ankit Verma, who is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from the 2017 batch. The couple has one daughter.

4. What is Apala Mishra’s educational qualification?

Answer: Apala Mishra holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Computer Science Engineering from IIT Roorkee, which she completed in 2011. She graduated with a CGPA of 8.7/10.

5. Which batch does Apala Mishra belong to?

Answer: Apala Mishra belongs to the 2016 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). She is currently serving in the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

6. How many attempts did it take Apala Mishra to clear UPSC?

Answer: Apala Mishra cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her fifth attempt in 2016. She faced setbacks in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 before finally succeeding with AIR 9.

7. What was Apala Mishra’s optional subject in UPSC?

Answer: Apala Mishra chose Geography as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains examination. Her engineering background combined with geography optional helped her develop analytical and comprehensive answers.

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