18 October 2026
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The Versatile Journey of Saumya Pandey

From her early education to pursuing engineering at MNNIT, Saumya Pandey consistently displayed academic brilliance, securing top positions and gold medals along the way. She cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her first attempt securing AIR-4. Watch her exclusive video on the special occasion of International Women’s Day
Indian Masterminds Stories

Saumya Pandey, a name synonymous with brilliance and versatility, embodied the essence of a true achiever from her early years. Born in the cultural hub of Prayagraj, her journey became that of an illustrious IAS officer commencing with her remarkable academic prowess and exceptional talents.

From her formative years at St. Mary’s Convent in Allahabad to her tenure at The Army School, Ms. Pandey’s academic brilliance shone brightly. Excelling in both academics and extracurricular activities, she not only secured top positions in her class but also emerged as a distinguished sportsperson, bagging medals in swimming and basketball.

Her academic journey continued to soar as she achieved outstanding scores in her board exams, securing the first position in the North Zone. Pursuing engineering at the prestigious Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, the officer continued to leave an indelible mark, topping her university and clinching gold medals.

However, her indomitable spirit and dedication propelled her towards her ultimate goal – cracking the UPSC CSE. With unwavering determination and relentless hard work, Ms. Pandey clinched an enviable All India Rank of 4 in her first attempt, earning her the prestigious title of an IAS officer.

Posted as the Additional Labour Commissioner in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, her multifaceted persona shines through as an NCC certificate topper, Bharatnatyam performer, and a skilled basketball player.

Today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Indian Masterminds asked some interesting questions to Ms. Pandey. The questions varied from ‘craziest thing that she has dealt with on the job’ to ‘what she would do if she got an extra hour to spend each day’?

Click on the link given below to know what the officer has to share!


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