The Journey of a Relentless Dreamer
In the highly competitive world of UPSC Civil Services Examination, where over 10 lakh candidates apply each year and only a handful make it to the final list, Ishita Kishore carved her name in gold. In 2022, she secured All India Rank 1, proving yet again that perseverance, strategy, and self-belief can achieve the seemingly impossible.
Her story is not just about topping UPSC. It’s a story of falling, rising, realigning, and conquering — a story that will inspire generations of aspirants.
Early Life and Family Background
Ishita Kishore was born in Begumpet, Hyderabad, and brought up in Patna, Bihar, before moving to Delhi NCR. Her father, Wing Commander Sanjay Kishore, served in the Indian Air Force, instilling in her values of discipline, service, and national pride. Her mother, Jyoti Kishore, is a retired school teacher and has been Ishita’s strongest emotional pillar.
Coming from a defence background, Ishita experienced structured environments and frequent relocations, which made her adaptable and emotionally resilient — qualities that would later become her strengths in UPSC preparation.
Academic Excellence at SRCC
Ishita completed her schooling from Air Force Bal Bharati School, New Delhi, where she actively participated in academics and sports. She then went on to study Economics Honours at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University, one of India’s most prestigious institutions.
While SRCC typically opens doors to finance and consultancy careers, Ishita was quietly preparing for a life in public service.
Corporate Career: Ernst & Young
After graduating in 2017, Ishita joined Ernst & Young (EY) as a Risk Analyst, a high-paying job that many SRCC graduates aspire to. But while she enjoyed the challenge, something inside her remained unfulfilled.
She knew her true calling lay in making a tangible difference in people’s lives — and bureaucracy was the medium through which she could do it.
So in March 2019, she resigned from her corporate job and dedicated herself full-time to preparing for UPSC — a decision that many considered risky, but one she never regretted.
The UPSC Journey: Failures Before the Flight
Contrary to the myth of ‘one-time toppers’, Ishita’s journey wasn’t linear. Her first two attempts ended at the Preliminary stage — a phase where lakhs of candidates are filtered out.
But instead of giving up, Ishita refined her preparation strategy. She focused on building her fundamentals, structured her notes better, improved test-taking techniques, and paid special attention to mental well-being.
By her third attempt, she had learned to manage pressure, reduce silly mistakes, and approach the exam holistically.
Ishita Kishore’s UPSC Preparation Strategy
1. Optional Subject – Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
Ishita chose PSIR because of its overlap with GS Paper II and Essay Paper. She loved reading about diplomacy, Indian polity, and political theory — which made the subject feel less burdensome.
She used sources like:
- Subhra Ranjan Notes
- Andrew Heywood’s Political Theory
- Pavneet Singh’s IR
- Previous years’ questions for pattern analysis
2. Daily Study Routine
Her day was planned meticulously:
- 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Newspaper reading (The Hindu + Indian Express editorial)
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Revision of previous day’s notes
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Static GS topics or optional subject
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Current Affairs, note-making
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Practice mock answers or prelims test
- 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Light reading, analysis, reflection
She emphasized consistency over intensity, studying around 8–9 focused hours per day.
Mains Answer Writing Practice
She joined multiple online platforms for daily answer writing. Initially, her answers were too lengthy or theoretical. But with peer reviews, toppers’ copies analysis, and expert feedback, she learned the art of balancing content with structure.
Her answer mantra:
“Think like a bureaucrat, write like a citizen.”
She also integrated current affairs into GS answers and supported arguments with constitutional provisions, case laws, or data.
Mental Health and Motivation
Like every aspirant, Ishita faced self-doubt, fatigue, and the pressure of expectations. During her low days, she followed:
- Mindfulness meditation (10 mins daily)
- Listening to motivational podcasts (e.g., IAS interviews, Gaur Gopal Das)
- Talking to family, especially her mother, who kept her emotionally grounded
She also maintained a gratitude journal, where she listed 3 things she was grateful for daily. This helped keep perspective during hard times.
UPSC CSE 2022 Final Result and Marks
Ishita Kishore’s hard work paid off in style:
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Essay | 137 |
| GS Paper I | 121 |
| GS Paper II | 130 |
| GS Paper III | 88 |
| GS Paper IV | 112 |
| Optional Paper I (PSIR) | 147 |
| Optional Paper II (PSIR) | 166 |
| Written Total | 901 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 193 |
| Final Total | 1094 |
She topped the list among 933 selected candidates.
Interview Experience
Her interview revolved around:
- The role of the private sector in governance
- Women in administration
- Global geopolitics and India’s soft power
- Mental health initiatives by government
She answered with poise, clarity, and balance — qualities that truly impressed the panel.
Sports, Leadership, and Beyond the Books
Did you know that Ishita Kishore is a national-level footballer?
She represented her school in the Subroto Cup in 2012 — showing that sports taught her leadership, teamwork, and endurance, all vital for a career in administration.
She also interned with:
- CRY (Child Rights and You)
- Taught underprivileged children at Tihar Jail’s shelter home
- Represented India in the Indo-China Youth Delegation in 2017
Her Vision as an IAS Officer
Ishita has expressed a deep interest in:
- Education reforms to reduce dropout rates in rural areas
- Gender equity in employment and politics
- Mental health awareness in schools and workplaces
- Public-private partnerships for better urban development
She believes in a governance model that is inclusive, tech-enabled, and compassionate.
Lessons from Ishita Kishore IAS for Aspirants
- Failing Prelims twice is not the end — it’s part of the process
- Discipline beats motivation
- Your background doesn’t define your future
- Stay curious, stay humble, stay hungry
Final Words
Ishita Kishore IAS is more than a UPSC topper. She is a role model for aspirants, a reformer-in-making, and a symbol of grace under pressure.
Her story tells us that you don’t need a perfect start — you need a strong will to finish.
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
– Margaret Thatcher
And Ishita fought. And won.
