Vishakha Yadav IAS: From Tech Engineer to Transformational Civil Servant in Arunachal Pradesh

The Rise of Vishakha Yadav IAS

Vishakha Yadav IAS is an inspiration to millions of UPSC aspirants across India. Born in Dwarka, Delhi, she secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019 in her third attempt. Her remarkable journey from being a software engineer at Cisco to becoming one of India’s top civil servants exemplifies determination, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to public service.

Currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Papum Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh, she has gained national recognition for her innovative administrative initiatives, particularly Project DigiKaksha, which earned her the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024. Her story resonates with every UPSC aspirant who has faced failures and setbacks but refuses to give up on their dreams.

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vishakha yadav ias

Quick Facts Summary: Vishakha Yadav IAS at a Glance

Attribute Details
Full Name Vishakha Yadav
Nickname Vish (among friends)
Designation IAS Officer, Deputy Commissioner
Date of Birth February 21, 1993
Age (as of 2025) 31 years
Birth Place Dwarka, New Delhi, India
Nationality Indian
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Religion Hinduism
Caste/Community Yadav (OBC)
UPSC Exam Year 2019 (CSE)
UPSC AIR 6
Batch 2020 Batch
Cadre AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories)
Current Posting Deputy Commissioner, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh
Previous Posting Deputy Commissioner, Kurung Kumey District, Arunachal Pradesh
Educational Qualification B.Tech in Computer Software Engineering
Previous Profession Software Developer at Cisco Systems, Bangalore
Marital Status Married
Spouse Kunal Yadav (IAS, AGMUT 2021 Batch)
Height 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Hobbies Painting, Sketching, Sudoku, Basketball
Role Model Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

vishakha yadav ias

Family & Personal Life: The Pillars Behind Vishakha Yadav IAS

Parents and Family Background

Vishakha Yadav IAS comes from a family deeply rooted in public service. Her father, Rajkumar Yadav, serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Delhi Police, Dwarka. His commitment to law enforcement and public safety inspired Vishakha Yadav IAS from a young age to pursue a career in civil services.

Her mother, Sarita Yadav, is a homemaker who has been the cornerstone of Vishakha Yadav IAS‘s success. In multiple interviews, Vishakha Yadav IAS has credited her mother for being her constant support system during her UPSC preparation journey. Sarita Yadav took care of all household responsibilities, allowing Vishakha Yadav IAS to focus entirely on her studies.

Family Member Details
Father’s Name Rajkumar Yadav
Father’s Profession Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Delhi Police, Dwarka
Mother’s Name Sarita Yadav
Mother’s Profession Homemaker
Siblings Information not publicly available
Hometown West Delhi (Dwarka), New Delhi

Marriage and Spouse

Vishakha Yadav IAS is married to Kunal Yadav IAS, who belongs to the AGMUT cadre 2021 batch. Kunal Yadav, born on March 10, 1995, in Shaktinagar, Rewari, Haryana, is also a dedicated IAS officer currently serving as the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh.

Kunal Yadav holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Before joining the IAS, he had cleared competitive exams like SSC CGL and SBI PO. The couple represents a powerful duo in the Indian civil services, both committed to transforming governance and serving the nation.

Marriage Details Information
Marital Status Married
Husband’s Name Kunal Yadav
Husband’s Profession IAS Officer (AGMUT Cadre 2021 Batch)
Husband’s Current Posting Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh
Husband’s Educational Background B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry, St. Stephen’s College, DU
Children No public information available

Educational Background: The Academic Excellence of Vishakha Yadav IAS

Vishakha Yadav IAS has been an exceptionally bright student throughout her academic journey. Her educational path laid the foundation for her success in the highly competitive UPSC examination.

School Education

Vishakha Yadav IAS completed her schooling from local schools in Delhi. She was a brilliant student who consistently scored high marks in her examinations. She obtained:

  • Class 10th: Outstanding marks with distinction
  • Class 12th: Excellent performance with distinction

Her strong foundation in academics during school years prepared her for the rigorous engineering curriculum ahead.

Higher Education

After completing her school education, Vishakha Yadav IAS pursued engineering, which was considered a prestigious career path:

Educational Milestone Details
Degree B.Tech in Computer Software Engineering
College/University Delhi Technological University (DTU), formerly Delhi College of Engineering
Year of Graduation 2014
Specialization Computer Science and Software Engineering
Academic Performance Excellent academic record

Optional Subject for UPSC

Vishakha Yadav IAS chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains examination. Coming from a technical background, she found it challenging to self-study humanities subjects, so she enrolled in coaching classes in Delhi specifically for her optional subject. This decision proved instrumental in her success.

Physical Statistics: Vishakha Yadav IAS Profile

Physical Attribute Measurement
Height 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Weight Approximately 55-60 kg (information not publicly disclosed)
Eye Color Dark Brown
Hair Color Black
Body Build Athletic and Fit
Distinguishing Features Confident demeanor and graceful presence

Vishakha Yadav IAS maintains good physical fitness and has been an active sports enthusiast. During her school and college days, she played basketball as a forward position player, participating in various tournaments. Her athletic background reflects her discipline and competitive spirit.

Career Before IAS: Software Engineer at Cisco Systems

Before becoming Vishakha Yadav IAS, she embarked on a successful career in the corporate world as a software engineer.

Professional Experience at Cisco

After graduating from Delhi Technological University in 2014, Vishakha Yadav secured a prestigious placement at Cisco Systems, one of the world’s leading networking and telecommunications companies. She was posted in their Bangalore office.

Professional Details Information
Company Cisco Systems
Location Bangalore, Karnataka
Position Software Developer
Duration 2014-2017 (Approximately 2.5-3 years)
Salary High-paying corporate position (exact figures not disclosed)
Work Nature Software development, networking solutions

The Life-Changing Decision

Despite having a lucrative job with excellent growth prospects, Vishakha Yadav felt unfulfilled. Her childhood dream of serving the nation as a civil servant kept calling her. Inspired by her father’s dedication to public service and her own aspiration to create a meaningful social impact, she made the bold decision to quit her high-paying job in 2017 to prepare full-time for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

This courageous decision marked the beginning of a challenging yet transformative journey that would eventually lead her to become Vishakha Yadav IAS.

UPSC Journey: The Inspiring Story of Vishakha Yadav IAS

The UPSC journey of Vishakha Yadav IAS is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the power of never giving up.

The Dream Takes Root

Vishakha Yadav IAS dreamed of becoming an IAS officer when she was just in Class 7th. Watching her father serve the community as a police officer instilled in her a deep desire to contribute to nation-building at a larger scale. Her mother constantly motivated her to pursue this dream.

UPSC Attempts Timeline

Attempt Year Result Details
First Attempt 2017-18 Did not clear Prelims Appeared with inadequate preparation; learning experience
Second Attempt 2018-19 Failed to clear Prelims by 1.3 marks Devastating setback; missed by a very small margin
Third Attempt 2019 AIR 6 Outstanding success with thorough preparation and strategy

First Attempt: The Learning Phase

Vishakha Yadav appeared for her first UPSC attempt without comprehensive preparation. She could not clear the Preliminary examination. However, instead of being discouraged, she analyzed her mistakes and used this as a learning opportunity.

Second Attempt: The Heartbreaking Miss

The second attempt was particularly challenging for Vishakha Yadav IAS. She prepared diligently but lacked confidence in her preparation. Tragically, she missed clearing the Prelims by just 1.3 marks—a heartbreaking outcome that would have broken many aspirants. But Vishakha Yadav IAS refused to give up.

Third Attempt: The Triumphant Success

For her third attempt in 2019, Vishakha Yadav IAS prepared with extreme dedication, a refined strategy, and unwavering focus. She worked on her weaknesses, strengthened her optional subject, and maintained consistent study routines. After completing her Mains and Interview, she was uncertain about the results and even started preparing for a fourth attempt—but her hard work paid off spectacularly.

Vishakha Yadav IAS secured All India Rank 6 in UPSC CSE 2019, making her the second-highest-ranking woman candidate in her batch.

UPSC Marksheet: Vishakha Yadav IAS Detailed Scores

Understanding the marks scored by successful candidates helps aspirants benchmark their own preparation. Here’s the complete breakdown of Vishakha Yadav IAS marks:

Examination Component Maximum Marks Marks Secured
Prelims (General Studies Paper I) 200 Qualified
Prelims (CSAT Paper II) 200 Qualified (qualifying paper)
Mains Paper I: Essay 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper II: General Studies I 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper III: General Studies II 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper IV: General Studies III 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics) 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper VI: Optional Subject I (PSIR) 250 Not publicly disclosed
Mains Paper VII: Optional Subject II (PSIR) 250 Not publicly disclosed
Total Mains Score 1750 856 marks
Interview/Personality Test 275 190 marks
Final Total Score 2025 1046 marks
All India Rank (AIR) 6

Recommended Books: Vishakha Yadav IAS Reading List

Vishakha Yadav IAS has recommended the following books for UPSC preparation:

General Studies Books

Subject Book Title Author
Indian Polity Indian Polity M. Laxmikanth
History India’s Struggle for Independence Bipan Chandra
History A Brief History of Modern India Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
Geography Certificate Physical and Human Geography G.C. Leong
Economy Indian Economy Ramesh Singh
Environment Environment & Ecology (SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY) Shankar IAS Academy
Internal Security Internal Security and Disaster Management Ashok Kumar
Ethics Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude Lexicon Publications
Current Affairs The Hindu Newspaper (Daily)
Current Affairs Yojana Magazine Government Publication
Current Affairs Kurukshetra Magazine Government Publication

Optional Subject (PSIR) Resources

Topic Resource
Complete PSIR IAS Shubhra Ranjan Postal Correspondence Material
International Relations Comprehensive coaching notes
Political Theory Standard reference books recommended by coaching institutes

NCERT Books

Vishakha Yadav IAS strongly emphasizes the importance of NCERT books from Class 6 to Class 12, particularly for subjects like:

  • History
  • Geography
  • Political Science
  • Economics

She revised these books multiple times during her preparation.

Administrative Career Timeline: Vishakha Yadav IAS Postings

Year Position Location Key Responsibilities
2020 Training Period Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie Foundation course and district training
2021-2022 Training Postings Various districts in Arunachal Pradesh Hands-on administrative training
2022-2024 Deputy Commissioner Kurung Kumey District, Arunachal Pradesh Overall district administration, development programs
2024 Recognition National Level Received PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration
2025-Present Deputy Commissioner Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh District administration, welcomed PM Modi during his visit

Major Achievements & Recognition: Vishakha Yadav IAS Awards

Vishakha Yadav IAS has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for her exceptional work:

Year Award/Recognition Category Details
2019 UPSC AIR 6 Civil Services Examination Secured 6th rank among lakhs of candidates
2019 Second Highest-Ranking Woman UPSC CSE 2019 Second topper among women candidates
2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration Innovation – District Category For visionary initiative “Project DigiKaksha”
2025 Best Preventive State Award State Election Commission For exceptional electoral administration in Kurung Kumey
2025 National Recognition Viral media coverage Gained nationwide attention while welcoming PM Modi in Arunachal Pradesh

Financial Information: Vishakha Yadav IAS Salary & Net Worth

IAS Officer Salary Structure

As an IAS officer of the 2020 batch, Vishakha Yadav IAS receives the following approximate compensation (as per 7th Pay Commission):

Salary Component Approximate Amount (Monthly)
Basic Pay ₹56,100 (Entry-level IAS officer)
Grade Pay Included in basic pay post-7th Pay Commission
Dearness Allowance (DA) ~50% of basic pay (varies) = ₹28,050
House Rent Allowance (HRA) ₹15,000-20,000 (or government accommodation)
Transport Allowance ₹7,200-10,000
Other Allowances ₹5,000-10,000
Total In-hand Salary ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,30,000 per month

Annual Income

  • Annual Gross Salary: Approximately ₹15-18 lakhs per annum
  • Benefits: Government housing, vehicle, security, medical facilities, and other perks

Digital Presence & Contact: Vishakha Yadav IAS Online

Social Media Presence

Vishakha Yadav IAS maintains a professional presence on social media platforms:

Platform Handle/Username Status
Twitter/X @yadavVish21_IAS Active – Official updates
LinkedIn Vishakha Yadav Professional profile available
Instagram Not actively maintained for public Personal/Private
Facebook Not publicly available Not active

Detailed Biography: The Complete Life Story of Vishakha Yadav IAS

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Vishakha Yadav was born on February 21, 1993, in a modest home in Dwarka, West Delhi. Her father, Rajkumar Yadav, served as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Delhi Police, while her mother, Sarita Yadav, dedicated herself to managing the household and raising Vishakha with strong values.

Growing up in a middle-class family, Vishakha Yadav IAS witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by common people and the power of dedicated public servants like her father to make a difference. The family lived in a small apartment in Dwarka, and finances were often tight, but her parents never compromised on her education.

From childhood, Vishakha was a bright and curious student. She excelled in academics and was actively involved in extracurricular activities. Her teachers often praised her discipline, hard work, and leadership qualities. During her school days, she developed a love for basketball and played competitively, learning valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and handling pressure.

The Dream Takes Root: Class 7th Inspiration

When Vishakha Yadav was in Class 7th, something remarkable happened. Watching her father work tirelessly for the community and reading about the impact IAS officers could make in transforming entire districts, she made a life-changing decision: she would become an IAS officer.

Her mother, Sarita Yadav, became her biggest cheerleader. She constantly motivated young Vishakha, telling her that with determination and hard work, she could achieve anything. Her father’s stories about governance, public service, and nation-building further fueled her ambition.

However, like most middle-class families, the path ahead wasn’t clear. The conventional wisdom suggested pursuing engineering or medicine for job security. But the dream of becoming Vishakha Yadav IAS never died—it just waited for the right time.

Educational Journey: The Foundation of Success

School Years (2001-2011)

Vishakha completed her schooling from local schools in Delhi. She was consistently among the top performers in her class. Her academic excellence, combined with her participation in sports and cultural activities, made her a well-rounded student.

In Class 10th, she scored excellent marks, and in Class 12th, she performed exceptionally well, particularly in Mathematics and Science. Based on her strong academic record and her family’s practical considerations about career security, she decided to pursue engineering.

College Life at Delhi Technological University (2011-2014)

Vishakha Yadav secured admission to the prestigious Delhi Technological University (DTU), formerly known as Delhi College of Engineering, to pursue B.Tech in Computer Software Engineering. This was a proud moment for her family—she was the first in her family to attend such a prestigious institution.

During her four years at DTU, Vishakha excelled academically while maintaining her interests in sports and extracurricular activities. She:

  • Maintained a strong academic record throughout her engineering
  • Continued playing basketball, representing her college in tournaments
  • Developed strong programming and technical skills
  • Participated in various technical fests and competitions
  • Made lifelong friendships with fellow students

However, even during her engineering years, the dream of civil services remained alive in a corner of her heart. She would occasionally read about current affairs and administrative reforms, keeping that flame burning.

Corporate Career: The Golden Cage at Cisco

In 2014, Vishakha Yadav graduated from DTU and, like many engineering graduates, was placed in a prestigious company—Cisco Systems, one of the world’s leading networking giants. She was posted in their Bangalore office.

Life in Bangalore (2014-2017)

The move to Bangalore was exciting yet challenging. Fresh out of college, Vishakha found herself in the fast-paced corporate world:

  • Good Salary: She was earning a handsome package, much more than her father’s salary
  • Professional Growth: Cisco offered excellent learning opportunities and career progression
  • Urban Lifestyle: She enjoyed the cosmopolitan culture of Bangalore
  • Financial Independence: For the first time, she was financially independent

Her parents were proud. Their daughter had achieved what many considered the ultimate goal—a stable, high-paying job in a multinational company.

The Inner Conflict

But something was missing. As months passed, Vishakha Yadav felt increasingly unfulfilled. Despite the comfortable lifestyle, she felt she wasn’t making the kind of impact she had dreamed of as a young girl. The corporate projects, though intellectually stimulating, didn’t give her the sense of purpose she craved.

She would often think: “Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Write code for networking solutions, or write policies that transform people’s lives?”

The childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer kept haunting her. She would read news about administrative innovations by young IAS officers and feel a pull toward that path.

The Life-Changing Decision

In 2017, after nearly three years at Cisco, Vishakha Yadav made one of the most courageous decisions of her life—she resigned from her high-paying job to prepare full-time for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Her colleagues thought she was crazy. Leaving a secure job with excellent prospects seemed irrational to many. Some friends tried to dissuade her, warning about the uncertainty and difficulty of UPSC.

But Vishakha was determined. She had saved some money, and more importantly, she had her parents’ unwavering support. Her mother told her, “We don’t need a big house or car. We need you to be happy and fulfilled. Follow your dream.”

The UPSC Preparation Journey: Three Years of Struggle and Triumph

Moving Back to Delhi

Vishakha Yadav moved back to Delhi to prepare for UPSC. She knew this journey wouldn’t be easy, but she was ready to give it her all.

She established a strict routine:

  • Wake up early: Started her day at 5:30 AM
  • Library time: Went to a nearby library every morning by 7 AM
  • Study hours: Dedicated 10-12 hours daily to studies
  • Newspaper reading: Never missed reading The Hindu daily
  • Revision: Focused heavily on multiple revisions rather than collecting too many resources

First Attempt (2017-18): The Reality Check

For her first attempt, Vishakha Yadav appeared for the UPSC Prelims in 2018. Despite her hard work, she couldn’t clear the Preliminary examination. It was a shock.

Coming from a background of consistent academic success, this failure was hard to digest. She had expected to at least clear Prelims comfortably. But UPSC had humbled her.

Lesson learned: UPSC is different from any other examination. It requires not just hard work but smart work, strategy, and understanding the pattern.

Instead of being discouraged, she analyzed what went wrong:

  • Inadequate coverage of certain topics
  • Lack of sufficient mock tests
  • Time management issues during the exam
  • Not enough focus on current affairs integration

She decided to continue with renewed determination.

Second Attempt (2018-19): The Heartbreaking Miss

For her second attempt, Vishakha Yadav IAS prepared more systematically. She covered her syllabus more thoroughly, took coaching for her optional subject (Political Science and International Relations), and attempted more mock tests.

However, there was one problem—she lacked confidence. Despite preparing well, she constantly doubted herself. This self-doubt reflected in her exam performance.

When the Prelims results were announced, Vishakha Yadav experienced one of the most devastating moments of her life—she had missed clearing Prelims by just 1.3 marks.

Just 1.3 marks—perhaps one or two questions—separated her from success and failure.

The Dark Phase

This was the lowest point in Vishakha Yadav’s UPSC journey. She had given her everything, and yet fate seemed cruelly unkind. She questioned herself:

  • “Am I good enough?”
  • “Should I give up and look for a job again?”
  • “Maybe UPSC is not meant for me?”

Many aspirants give up after such narrow misses. The psychological trauma of being so close yet so far can be unbearable.

But Vishakha Yadav had her mother’s words ringing in her ears: “Failures are stepping stones to success. One more step, and you’ll reach the top.”

Her father, drawing from his experience as a police officer, told her, “In my line of work, we don’t give up until the criminal is caught. In your journey, don’t give up until you crack UPSC.”

Third Attempt (2019): The Triumphant Success

For her third attempt, Vishakha Yadav IAS approached preparation with a completely different mindset:

New Strategy:

  1. Confidence Building: She worked on building unshakable self-confidence
  2. Complete Syllabus Coverage: Left no topic for “I’ll do it later”
  3. Extensive Mock Tests: Attempted dozens of full-length tests
  4. Time Management: Perfected her exam time management strategy
  5. Stress Management: Used painting, sketching, and Sudoku to stay mentally fresh
  6. Social Media Detox: Complete disconnect from WhatsApp and social media
  7. Daily Targets: Strict adherence to daily study goals
  8. Multiple Revisions: Focused on revising limited resources multiple times

Final Thoughts

The story of Vishakha Yadav IAS is far from over. At just 31 years old, she has decades of service ahead. If her initial years are any indication, Vishakha Yadav IAS will continue to innovate, inspire, and transform the lives of millions of Indians.

For every aspirant reading this, remember: if Vishakha Yadav IAS could overcome two failures and a heartbreaking 1.3 marks miss to secure AIR 6 and win the Prime Minister’s Award, so can you. Your background, your previous attempts, your circumstances—none of these determine your destiny. Your determination does.

The legacy of Vishakha Yadav IAS teaches us that with perseverance, strategy, and unwavering commitment, any dream is achievable. She didn’t just become an IAS officer; she became Vishakha Yadav IAS—a symbol of hope, resilience, and excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vishakha Yadav IAS

1. Who is Vishakha Yadav IAS?

Vishakha Yadav IAS is an Indian Administrative Service officer who secured All India Rank 6 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019. She is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Papum Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh and is known for her innovative Project DigiKaksha, which won her the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024.

2. What is the UPSC rank of Vishakha Yadav IAS?

Vishakha Yadav IAS secured All India Rank (AIR) 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019. She was the second-highest-ranking woman candidate in her batch.

3. How many attempts did Vishakha Yadav IAS take to clear UPSC?

Vishakha Yadav IAS cleared UPSC in her third attempt (2019). She failed to clear Prelims in her first attempt (2018) and missed Prelims by just 1.3 marks in her second attempt (2018-19).

4. Is Vishakha Yadav IAS married?

Yes, Vishakha Yadav IAS is married to Kunal Yadav, who is also an IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre 2021 batch. Kunal Yadav currently serves as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh.

5. What is the current posting of Vishakha Yadav IAS?

As of 2025, Vishakha Yadav IAS is serving as the Deputy Commissioner (District Collector) of Papum Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh.

6. What is Project DigiKaksha by Vishakha Yadav IAS?

Project DigiKaksha is an innovative initiative by Vishakha Yadav IAS to digitally empower remote border villages along the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The project includes setting up smart classrooms, providing internet connectivity, and implementing e-governance solutions. It won the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024.

7. What was Vishakha Yadav IAS doing before joining civil services?

Before becoming Vishakha Yadav IAS, she worked as a Software Developer at Cisco Systems in Bangalore for approximately 2.5-3 years (2014-2017). She resigned from this high-paying corporate job to prepare for UPSC.

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Nishant Kumar

Nishant Kumar is the founder and lead content creator at OfficersDetails.com, a platform dedicated to delivering accurate, verified information about officers in government, corporate, and legal sectors. With a strong background in public administration and data research, Nishant is passionate about transparency, governance, and simplifying access to essential leadership profiles.