Ishita Kishore is a remarkable Indian civil servant who made headlines by securing the first rank in the highly competitive Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022. She was born in 1996 in Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana, and raised in Bihar, India. Ishita’s journey to the pinnacle of India’s most prestigious exam is an inspiring story of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
Academic Brilliance
Throughout her childhood, Ishita displayed exceptional academic prowess. She completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School in Delhi, specialising in the Commerce stream with a focus on mathematics. Her outstanding score of 97.25% in the board exams reflected her dedication and intelligence.
College Years and Beyond
Ishita pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Honours) at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. During her college years, she actively participated in co-curricular activities, including the Economic Society and Literary Society. Additionally, she was a national-level football player, participating in the Subroto Cup football tournament in 2012.
Corporate Career and Resignation
After completing her education, Ishita worked as a Risk Analyst at Ernest & Young (EY) from June 2017 to March 2019. However, her passion for public governance led her to make a bold decision—to resign from her corporate job and prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).
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UPSC Journey
Ishita faced initial setbacks, failing to clear the preliminary exam in her first two attempts. Undeterred, she persevered, dedicating nine hours daily to rigorous study. Her hard work paid off in 2023 when she secured the remarkable feat of All India Rank 1 in the UPSC-IAS examination on her third attempt. Her marksheet for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 revealed her exceptional performance—901 marks in the written round and 193 marks in the interview.
Optional Subjects and Strategy
For the UPSC IAS exam, Ishita opted for Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects. She emphasized honing her writing skills through practice, a crucial aspect of success in the exam.
Family Background
Ishita’s father, Wing Commander Sanjay Kishore, served in the Indian Air Force until his unfortunate demise in 2004. Her mother, Jyoti Kishore, is a retired teacher. Ishita has an elder brother, Ishan Harsh, who is an advocate.
Ishita Kishore’s journey exemplifies determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Her achievement as the UPSC topper inspires countless aspirants, proving that hard work and unwavering focus can lead to extraordinary success.