Meet Apala Mishra: The Woman Who Overcame Depression to Crack UPSC, Secured AIR-9 but

IFS Apala Mishra’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Born in 1997 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, she is the daughter of a retired colonel and has always been sincere towards her studies. After completing her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Army College, Mishra felt a deep calling towards the Civil Services. She left her medical field and dedicated herself to preparing for the UPSC.

It took her three attempts to crack the prestigious exam, but in 2020, she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 9. Mishra made headlines by scoring a record-breaking 215 out of 275 marks in the interview round. Despite this impressive feat, she did not become an IAS officer. Instead, she was allocated to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), where she is currently serving.

Mishra’s preparation was rigorous, studying for 7-8 hours a day. She also battled personal struggles, including depression, but her perseverance paid off. Her story highlights the importance of resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

Apala Mishra recently tied the knot with Abhishek Bakolia, an IFS officer like herself. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring candidates, showing that with dedication, hard work, and the right mindset, achieving your dreams is always possible.