New Delhi/Itanagar: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district earlier this week, the pictures of a young IAS officer greeting him at the airport quickly went viral. The officer, Vishakha Yadav, has since drawn nationwide attention — not just for her poised presence, but also for her inspiring journey from corporate India to the Indian Administrative Service.
Who Is Vishakha Yadav?
Vishakha Yadav is a 2020 batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, currently posted as the Deputy Commissioner of Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh. Born in 1993 in Dwarka, Delhi, she is 31 years old and known for her exceptional academic and professional achievements.
She hails from a humble background. Her father, Rajkumar Yadav, is an Assistant Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police, and her mother, Sarita Yadav, is a homemaker. Growing up in a household rooted in public service instilled in her the values of dedication, discipline, and social responsibility.
An Engineer Turned Bureaucrat
Vishakha is a graduate of Delhi Technological University (DTU), where she earned her B.Tech in Computer Science. After graduation, she secured a job at Cisco in Bengaluru, earning a lucrative salary. However, driven by her dream to serve the nation more directly, she quit her high-paying job to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
UPSC Journey: A Story of Grit and Determination
Vishakha Yadav’s UPSC journey is nothing short of inspirational. She faced setbacks in her first two attempts, but her resilience paid off in her third attempt in 2020, when she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 6 — one of the highest that year.
Remarkably, she prepared without the help of any formal coaching. Her success is a testimony to self-study, discipline, and unwavering focus. She scored 1,046 out of 2,025 marks, placing her among the top ten in the country.
Academic Achievements and Further Education
Besides her engineering background, Vishakha also holds a Master’s in Public Management (MPM), further solidifying her credentials in governance and public policy.
Now Serving in Arunachal Pradesh
Currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Papum Pare, she previously held the post in Kurung Kumey District. Her administrative work has drawn praise, especially for effective governance in remote and challenging terrains.
In a recent tweet, Vishakha expressed pride in welcoming PM Modi to Arunachal Pradesh and shared photographs of the moment. “It was an honour to welcome the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Papum Pare,” she wrote.
A Role Model for UPSC Aspirants
Her story continues to inspire thousands of aspirants across India. Her transition from a corporate professional to one of the country’s top-ranking IAS officers showcases that with persistence and courage, even the most ambitious dreams can be achieved.
Read also: 21 IAS Officers Set to Retire in September 2025 Across Multiple Cadres
