Dr Apala Mishra: From Dentistry to AIR 9 in UPSC CSE 2020

Who is Dr Apala Mishra?

Dr Apala Mishra is a dental graduate who secured All India Rank 9 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020, according to media reports at the time.

Her achievement came on her third attempt, after two unsuccessful attempts. For aspirants, the useful part of her story is not simply the rank: it is the connection between her professional education, her interest in public service and her willingness to continue after setbacks.

The examination year matters here. Although the original account was published in October 2021, the result discussed is from UPSC CSE 2020. Referring to the specific examination year avoids the ambiguity of describing it as a result from 'this year'.

What was her educational and family background?

According to contemporary reports, Apala completed a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Hyderabad in 2017 and began preparing for UPSC in 2018.

Reports described her as originally from Basti and living in Ghaziabad at the time. Her father, Amitabh Mishra, was a retired Army Colonel; her elder brother, Arik, was a Major; and her mother, Alpana Mishra, was a professor in the Hindi faculty at Delhi University.

These details provide context, not a formula for success. Aspirants from different educational and family backgrounds should focus on what they can apply to their own preparation rather than treating a topper's personal circumstances as prerequisites.

Why did she move from dentistry towards civil services?

Apala linked her interest in civil services to concerns about India's healthcare system and a desire to contribute to society on a wider scale.

In an interview cited by the original article, she explained that her background inspired her to examine the healthcare system and recognise areas requiring greater attention. That experience encouraged her to consider public service as a way to make a broader contribution.

The lesson is not that professional graduates need to leave their fields. Rather, academic and professional experience can help an aspirant identify a genuine reason for pursuing civil services. A clear purpose can give direction to preparation without becoming a promise of selection.

• Reflect on public problems you have encountered through study, work or everyday life.
• Distinguish an interest in public service from an interest in the status associated with a rank.
• Understand how your existing knowledge connects with wider questions of governance.

What can aspirants learn from her third-attempt success?

Her experience shows that an unsuccessful attempt need not end an aspirant's journey, but persistence should be accompanied by an honest review of preparation.

The source records two unsuccessful attempts followed by AIR 9; it does not explain her attempt-wise scores, study timetable, optional subject or changes in strategy. It would therefore be misleading to attribute her result to a particular routine or technique.

As general preparation guidance, rather than a description of Apala's own method, aspirants can use setbacks to identify specific gaps. Reviewing syllabus coverage, revision, practice and examination performance is more useful than repeating an unchanged plan.

1. Identify the stage or skill that needs improvement using available performance evidence.
2. Choose manageable changes instead of replacing every resource at once.
3. Assess your time, wellbeing and personal circumstances before planning another attempt.

What did she say about mental wellbeing?

Apala emphasised that aspirants should look after themselves because UPSC preparation can take a mental toll.

The original article quoted her advice: “It is important to make yourself a priority while chasing your goal.” This is a useful corrective to accounts that celebrate persistence while overlooking the strain of a demanding examination.

For aspirants, the practical takeaway is to build a sustainable preparation routine rather than equate exhaustion with commitment. Allowing time for rest, maintaining supportive relationships and seeking help when distress persists are compatible with serious study. A topper's journey can offer perspective, but it should not become a standard against which to judge your personal worth.