https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

An Income Tax Commissioner Who Is An Ace Marathoner Too

IRS officer Maya Maheshwari, Commissioner of Income Tax in Bhopal is not only a diligent officer but also an ace marathon runner. She has competed in seven marathons as of now and is already preparing for her next. She is a fitness freak who also excelled academically acing ICWA, IES and UPSC CSE.
Indian Masterminds Stories

1996 batch IRS officer Ms. Maya Maheshwari, is a true all-rounder. She is not only a diligent IRS officer but also a poet, painter, fitness expert, and marathon runner who always excelled in academics as well. 

Currently posted as Commissioner of Income tax, Bhopal, she topped her 12th board exams in 1988 and was felicitated by then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. The officer, was among the youngest professionals to pass the coveted ICWA (Institute of Cost and Works Accountancy of India) Exam. She obtained AIR-11 in the 1992 Indian Engineering Services Examination and AIR-60 in the 1996 UPSC CSE. She received a Gold Medal for the Civil Services Foundation Course’s highest overall performance.

A FITNESS FREAK

Ms. Maheshwari had always been a fitness fanatic since she was a young girl. Her daily routine invariably included long stretches of walking, jogging, and running. She began by running 4-5 kilometres at a time, gradually increasing her pace and distance.

After getting posted in Bhopal, the officer joined a gym and worked out every day. Nevertheless, the covid lockdown changed everything because gyms were closed and everyone had to make do with whatever little training they could do at home. 

“Since we couldn’t go to the gym, I made it a point to go for some intense running around my neighbourhood. I gradually increased my stamina and distance, eventually running for 10 kilometres. This boosted my self-esteem, and I realised that if I could run 10 kilometres, I could easily run more,” Ms. Maheshwari shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.

MARATHON RUNNER

Once the Covid lockdown lifted, the officer was fit enough to run 15-16 kilometres at a stretch. She realised that she was fit enough to compete in marathons.

She started off by competing in Hyderabad Airtel Marathon, the second-largest race in India after the Mumbai marathon. It gave her a jolt and sparked her interest in marathons.

“In January, I competed in the Tata Marathon in Indore, followed by another in Bhopal. I’m currently training for my next 42-kilometre marathon,” she said.

She has already run seven marathons and finished second in her most recent race in Bhopal. Ms. Maheshwari’s goal is not to win, but to finish the race.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Being a diligent IRS officer and keeping a busy schedule, Ms. Maheshwari still takes out time to meet her goals for the day. She wakes up early in the morning and works out for an hour and a half before resuming her responsibilities as a civil servant.

“It is quite enriching for me and keeps me energised the entire day. I would advise everyone to give an hour of their day to their bodies, in the morning. It will surely make a huge difference in their lives and help in reducing stress as well,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches Free CNG Scheme in East Singhbhum to Boost Clean Transportation and Green Mobility
Banking Laws Amendment Act 2025
Depositors Get More Control: New Rules under Banking Laws Amendment Act 2025 to Allow Up to 4 Nominations from 1 Nov 2025
NLC-INDIA-resized-neyvili
NLC India Limited Earns Independent “CRISIL ESG 49” Rating, Highlighting Strong Commitment to Sustainability
MECL__54th_Foundation_Day
MECL Celebrates 54th Foundation Day with Heartfelt Tribute and Guard of Honour to CMD Indra Dev Narayan
NMDC Steel Ltd
NMDC Revises Iron Ore Prices Effective October 22, 2025, Impacting Steel and Infrastructure Sectors
NCL_Special_Safety_Review_Workshop
NCL Hosts Special Safety Review Workshop to Strengthen Mine Safety Through Digitization and Technology
NTPC_Talcher_Kaniha_in_collaboration_with_KVIC_
NTPC Talcher Kaniha Hosts Khadi Mahotsav to Promote Sustainability and Empower Village Industries
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches Free CNG Scheme in East Singhbhum to Boost Clean Transportation and Green Mobility
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT