In a moment of pride for Bihar, Kumud Mishra from Rohtas district has secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 69 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, earning a place in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Adding to the significance of her achievement, Mishra has been allotted the Bihar cadre, giving her the opportunity to serve her home state.
She is among ten newly appointed IAS officers assigned to Bihar, a development expected to infuse fresh energy into the state’s administrative framework.
Kumud completed her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, AMC Cantt, Lucknow, before pursuing a BA (Honours) in Political Science from Lucknow University. She also opted for Political Science and International Relations as her optional
subjects in the civil services examination. It was during her graduation that she resolved not only to attempt the highly competitive exam but also to secure a top rank.
Her journey, however, was marked by perseverance. In her first attempt, she secured AIR 259 and was selected for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Despite the achievement, she remained determined to become an IAS officer. After joining the service, she took leave to prepare again, addressing the gaps she had identified in her earlier attempt.
Her efforts paid off in her second attempt, as she significantly improved her rank to break into the top 100.
Speaking about her success, Kumud credited “internal motivation” as the driving force behind her achievement. While acknowledging consistent family support, she emphasised that a strong inner resolve pushed her to overcome setbacks and strive for excellence. She noted that recognising and correcting her shortcomings after the first attempt proved crucial.
Coming from a disciplined background, Kumud is the daughter of BS Mishra, a retired Captain of the Indian Army, and Indu Devi, a homemaker. Reflecting on her interview stage, she described it as challenging, admitting that nervousness and the cold weather affected some of her responses.
However, she added that her clarity of thought and confidence ensured an overall strong performance, ultimately helping her secure a place in the IAS.
