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India.com
14 hours ago
- India.com
Meet Man Who Became An IAS Officer At 21, Is An IIT Topper With AIR 6, Worked At Microsoft As Manager, But Left It All for His Passion — Now He Is...
photoDetails english 2937522 Updated:Jul 27, 2025, 08:53 AM IST From IIT Topper to IAS Officer 1 / 7 Kashish Mittal, born in Jalandhar in 1989, secured an All India Rank (AIR) 6 in the JEE exams and went on to pursue Electrical Engineering at IIT. By the age of 21, he had cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam and became one of the youngest IAS officers in his batch. A Promising Bureaucratic Career 2 / 7 Mittal served in the civil services for nine years. During his tenure, he held prominent positions, including working as the Private Secretary to the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. However, in 2019, when he was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh, he made a decision that shocked many — he resigned. Why He Walked Away 3 / 7 While many would consider his IAS post the pinnacle of success, Kashish chose to walk away from it to pursue something even closer to his heart — music. A Lifelong Love for Music 4 / 7 Mittal had been trained in Hindustani classical music since the age of eight. By eleven, he was already performing at the prestigious Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Punjab. Over the years, his talent was recognised with several accolades, including: Punjab State Award for Art and Culture (2007) Saraswati Samman by IIT Delhi (2010) Naad Shri Samman (2018) NTSE and CCRT fellowships His Second Innings: Music & Technology 5 / 7 After resigning from the IAS, Kashish also took a plunge into the tech industry. He joined Microsoft as a Principal Research Program Manager, where he worked for five years. In March 2025, he founded Disha AI, a startup that merges cutting-edge AI with a social impact vision. Now a Viral Classical Singer 6 / 7 Today, Kashish Mittal is gaining attention online as a professional Hindustani classical vocalist of the Agra Gharana. His dedication to music and courage to follow his passion has turned him into an inspiration for thousands of young Indians. The Man Who Chose Passion Over Power 7 / 7 From IIT and IAS to Microsoft and now music — Kashish Mittal's journey is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about titles or salaries; it's about doing what sets your soul on fire.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Documentary on Mani Kaul
The colourist for Mita Vashisht's film Mani Kaul and That Thing Called The Actor had been trained to colour-correct films based on genre; noir would be darker, rom-coms sunnier. When he asked Vashisht what the genre of her film was, the esteemed actor-turned-filmmaker had no answer. 'My film is not a conventional documentary with talking heads,' says Vashisht. 'It is like a poem. It is an exploration of Mani Kaul's ideas on acting, which I discovered when I starred in the lead role of Hindustani classical singer Siddheshwari Devi in his film Siddheshwari. Like Mani, a master of cinematic language, who composed his frames himself, I, too, got the colours and frames I wanted during the making itself. So, I had to tell the colourist, just watch the film, you don't have to do much.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Who is Kashish Mittal? From IAS to Microsoft to AI to classical singing, the man going viral for his lyrics and LinkedIn
Kashish Mittal is what every Indian parent dreams of and what every nosy relative secretly resents. An IIT topper (AIR 6), IAS officer at 21, Microsoft techie, AI entrepreneur , and now an Indian classical singer — his career timeline reads like a Bollywood script co-written by UPSC aspirants, tech bros, and art lovers. For the middle class, he was the ultimate 'shaadi biodata material' until he did the unthinkable: quit the IAS and followed his heart into music. For relatives, his CV is a nightmare, as they hide their jealousy behind forced smiles, and for many others, it's simply unbelievable. His bold decisions have left family WhatsApp groups stunned and LinkedIn timelines inspired. Today, his soulful lyrics and viral posts are making him India's most melodious multi-hyphenate. Kashish Mittal's early achievements and civil services career Mittal's academic excellence was evident early on. After securing an AIR 6 in the JEE, he pursued electrical engineering at IIT Delhi. In 2009, he cracked the UPSC exam and joined the IAS, becoming one of the youngest officers in his batch. He held significant positions, including serving as the private secretary to the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. However, in 2019, Mittal made headlines by resigning from the IAS, reportedly dissatisfied with a transfer to Arunachal Pradesh. His departure from civil service sparked debates and admiration alike. Life after IAS: Microsoft and AI Contrary to popular perception that he gave up all structured work, Mittal joined Microsoft after leaving the IAS, working in AI-driven projects. His tech journey didn't stop there. In 2025, he co-founded an AI startup focused on human potential and ethical technology. His transition from bureaucracy to big tech and now entrepreneurship reflects his diverse interests and adaptability. A lifelong passion for music Mittal had been training in Hindustani classical music since childhood. Post-IAS, he gave his full attention to music, performing professionally as a classical vocalist of the Agra Gharana. He is an empanelled artist with ICCR and All India Radio, with his compositions reflecting a blend of spiritual depth and technical rigor. His renditions have gained widespread attention online, with many calling him a rare blend of intellect and art. In addition to his performances, Mittal's presence on social media has contributed significantly to his viral fame in 2024 and 2025. His LinkedIn posts offer a unique blend of personal reflections, career insights, and poetic musings, resonating particularly well with a generation that values authenticity and non-traditional success stories. Screenshots of his profile and posts circulate widely, sparking conversations about breaking free from societal expectations and pursuing passion alongside professional achievement. Moreover, Mittal's Instagram reels have garnered massive engagement. A particularly viral reel features him singing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Unke Andaz-e-Karam,' amassing nearly 3 million views. The video captures his soulful voice and classical training in a spontaneous, relatable setting, often shared with captions reflecting the emotions of love and loss. This blend of classical artistry and modern social media appeal has cemented his status as a multi-hyphenate artist capturing the imagination of India's youth and beyond. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
