https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rank 4 Was Unexpected, Says Smriti Mishra (Exclusive)

Smriti Mishra from Agra cleared UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR 4 She graduated with Zoology, which was also her optional She urges aspirants to complete their graduation before taking the UPSC train
Indian Masterminds Stories

This year UPSC results have been unprecedented for the sheer number of women success stories and one such is Smriti Mishra’s, who has been ranked 4th in the all-India chart that the candidate from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, finds unbelievable and unexpected.

After completing her schooling from Agra, she landed in the national capital and took admission in Miranda House for her graduation in B.Sc. Later enrolled in Delhi University for Law and currently she is in her final year of LLB.

Ms. Mishra had only started preparing seriously for UPSC CSE amid the Covid outbreak. However, in 2021, she failed CSAT. She scored 120 in GS and 63 in CSAT. So getting an AIR-4, in her third attempt was not even part of her dreams.

OVERWHELMED

“I didn’t actually expected rank 4, however, I knew I’ll make it but this rank actually surprised me in a good way,” she shared with Indian Masterminds. Not only this, but she also shares that as soon as the result was declared she screamed out so loud that her mother thought that something wrong has happened. “As the news broke, everyone was so overwhelmed.”

PREPARATION STRATEGY

To prepare for UPSC CSE, Smriti took regular coaching which helped her in making notes. Simultaneously, she followed standard textbooks, stayed updated with newspapers and magazines. “I made sure to make lots of notes as it helps during revision. It’s just not reading but jotting them down enhances your retention power,” she added.

OPTIONAL

Smriti’s optional subject was Zoology. She chose the subject as she stood second in the university and is pretty good at it. “I was confident enough that I will do well and I even began studying Zoology earlier than GS,” she added.

With Smriti’s background in law, the UPSC Interview panel quizzed her, “What would you choose, Life or Law?” She also faced general ones related to her Detailed Application Form (DAF).

HONEST MANTRA

Smriti advises aspirants to be honest with their efforts. She says that this is an exam which requires a lot of patience. “Do not worry about the results, this will show with time because I have been in this journey for long.”

She urges them to complete graduation before starting off with UPSC preparations. “I really want to work for the upliftment of women and society in general,” says Smriti Mishra, who is one of the 320 women who made their mark from among the total 933 successful candidates in UPSC CSE.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
thdc_india_contributes_
THDC India Donates Rs 1 Crore to Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Showcasing Commitment to Social Welfare
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
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
thdc_india_contributes_
THDC India Donates Rs 1 Crore to Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Showcasing Commitment to Social Welfare
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
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