Apala Mishra: UPSC Rank 9, Strategy, and Journey
Can a candidate fail the Prelims twice and still go on to secure a top 10rank while setting an all-time record in the personality test? Dr. Apala Mishra proved it is possible. Her journey from a dentist to an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer is a masterclass in resilience. While many give up after initial setbacks, she analyzed her failures to emerge as a topper in the 2020 examination.
Who Is Dr. Apala Mishra?
Dr. Apala Mishra is an IFS officer of the 2021 batch. Born in Ghaziabad and raised in a family with deep military roots, she chose to serve the nation through diplomacy. She secured an All India Rank (AIR) 9 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020.
| Feature | Details |
| Full Name | Dr. Apala Mishra |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 9 |
| Exam Year | 2020 |
| Service Allotted | Indian Foreign Service (IFS) |
| Education | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) |
| Optional Subject | Anthropology |
| Number of Attempts | 3 |
Dr. Apala Mishra UPSC Marksheet and Score Details
Apala’s success was driven by her exceptional performance in the Personality Test and a very solid showing in the General Studies papers. Her interview score remains one of the highest in the history of the commission.
| Paper | Marks Obtained |
| General Studies I | 103 |
| General Studies II | 108 |
| General Studies III | 105 |
| General Studies IV (Ethics) | 120 |
| Essay | 127 |
| Optional I (Anthropology) | 134 |
| Optional II (Anthropology) | 144 |
| Written Subtotal | 841 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 215 |
| Final Total | 1056 |
Educational Background and Early Life
Apala comes from a high-achieving background. Her father, Colonel Amitabh Mishra, is a retired Army officer, and her mother, Dr. Alpana Mishra, is a professor of Hindi at Delhi University. Her brother is a Major in the Indian Army.
She completed her schooling in Dehradun and later moved to Delhi. She graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from the Army College of Dental Sciences in Hyderabad in 2017. Though she was a trained dentist, she felt a calling toward a career where she could impact policy on a larger scale.
How Many Attempts Did Apala Mishra Take?
Apala cleared the examination on her third attempt. Her journey was not an instant success. In her first two attempts in 2018 and 2019, she failed to clear the Preliminary stage.
She realized that she was lacking a focused strategy for the first phase. Between her second and third attempts, she shifted her mindset. She stopped treating Prelims as a mere qualifying hurdle and started respecting its unpredictability. She increased her mock test frequency and worked on her “elimination technique” to boost her score.
Apala Mishra Optional Subject: Why Anthropology?
Choosing an optional is a critical decision. Despite her medical background, Apala chose Anthropology. She felt the subject had a significant overlap with science while remaining concise enough to cover within a few months.
Her strategy involved linking the biological aspects of Anthropology with her knowledge from dental school. She focused heavily on diagrams and case studies to make her answers stand out.
- Paper 1: Focused on theories and physical anthropology.
- Paper 2: Concentrated on Indian society and tribal issues.
- Key Books: P. Nath for Physical Anthropology and BrainTree material for base concepts.
UPSC Preparation Strategy of Apala Mishra
Apala followed a disciplined routine that mirrored her military upbringing. She studied for 7 to 8 hours daily. She did not attend traditional classroom coaching for General Studies, relying instead on self-study and online resources.
She broke her preparation into three distinct phases:
- Foundation: Reading NCERTs and standard textbooks once to understand the landscape.
- Consolidation: Making short, digital notes for every keyword in the syllabus.
- Testing: Taking a high volume of mock tests for both Prelims and Mains.
For the Prelims, she emphasized solving at least 50 to 60 mock papers. You can sharpen your accuracy in a similar way by using MCQ Practice for Prelims to identify your weak areas across different subjects.
Books and Resources Recommended by Apala Mishra
| Subject | Book/Resource | Author/Source |
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence | Bipin Chandra |
| Polity | Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Economy | Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh / Mrunal Patel |
| Geography | Physical Geography | G.C. Leong |
| Environment | Environment | Shankar IAS |
| Art & Culture | An Introduction to Indian Art | NCERT Class XI |
Mains Answer Writing Approach
Apala believed that the Mains exam is about how you present what you know. She avoided long, boring paragraphs. Instead, she used bullet points and created flowcharts to explain complex processes. She made sure her introductions were crisp and her conclusions always offered a futuristic, positive outlook.
Consistency is the biggest challenge in writing. Using a platform like AnswerWriting.com can be a game changer here. Their Answer Evaluator provides detailed feedback on structure and content, helping you refine your presentation just as Apala did through her rigorous self-evaluation. Practicing with Daily Answer Writing prompts ensures you never lose the habit of putting pen to paper.
Interview (Personality Test) Experience
The highlight of Apala’s journey is her interview score of 215. She appeared before the board chaired by Air Marshal A.S. Bhonsle. The board asked her about her dental background, her interest in literature, and her views on international relations.
She suggests that the interview is not a test of knowledge but of personality. She remained calm, smiled often, and was honest when she did not know an answer. She treated the board like a group of elders she was having a conversation with, rather than an interrogation panel.
Service and Cadre Allotted to Apala Mishra
Despite her high rank, which would easily have secured her the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Apala chose the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as her first preference. She had an inherent interest in global affairs and culture. As an IFS officer, she represents India on the global stage, a role she felt best suited her personality and background.
Key Lessons Every UPSC Aspirant Can Take from Apala Mishra
- Analyze Your Failures: Apala did not change her goal after failing Prelims twice; she changed her method.
- Prioritize the Interview: Your personality is shaped over years. Stay curious and develop genuine hobbies.
- Make Your Answers Visual: In a sea of thousands of copies, flowcharts and diagrams help the examiner breathe.
- Self-Correction is Vital: Constant feedback is necessary. Utilizing an AI Mentor for doubt resolution can help you bridge the gap between a “good” answer and a “topper’s” answer.
FAQs About Apala Mishra
What was Apala Mishra’s optional subject?
Her optional subject was Anthropology.
How many marks did Apala Mishra get in the interview?
She scored 215 out of 275 marks, which was a record-breaking score for that year.
Is Apala Mishra an IAS or IFS officer?
She is an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer.
Which attempt did Apala Mishra clear UPSC?
She cleared the exam in her third attempt.
What is Apala Mishra’s educational background?
She is a doctor with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree.
Did Apala Mishra take coaching?
She did not take formal coaching for General Studies but did take guidance for her optional subject and interview preparation.