Meet Saumya Mishra and Sumedha Mishra, sisters who cracked UPSC Civil Services exam same year in first attempt, their AIR are..., they hail from...
As per Hindustan Hindi news report, the elder daughter, Saumya Mishra, was selected for the post of SDM in the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) in her second attempt in 2021. At present, she is posted as the SDM in the Madihan tehsil of Mirzapur district. Along with her duties as an SDM, Saumya was preparing for the UPSC exam.
As per her LinkedIn profile, Saumya Mishra completed her Bachelor of Arts in Geography at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, from 2014 to 2017. She then went on to study at the Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University, where she completed her Master of Arts (MA) in Geography from 2017 to 2019.
As reported by Hindustan News, during a conversation, their father, Raghvendra Mishra, shared that both his daughters had a strong desire to become IAS officers from the very beginning. Through their hard work and determination, they have successfully achieved their goal.
Raghvendra Mishra, originally from Ajaypur village, relocated to Delhi with his family about 15 years ago. He works as a teacher at a degree college in Delhi, while his wife, Renu Mishra, is a homemaker. In their village, Raghvendra's mother, Indra Devi, still resides, while his grandfather, Iqbal Shankar Mishra, has passed away, the report further mentioned.
Saumya Mishra secured All India Rank(AIR) 18th in the Civil Services Examination, 2024. Meanwhile, Sumegha Mishra secured All India Rank(AIR) 253 in the Civil Services Examination, 2024.
As reported by news agency PTI, as many as 14,627 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (main) examination, which was held in September 2024. Out of these, 2,845 candidates qualified for the personality test or interview, which were held between January 7 and April 17 this year.
Of them, 1,009 candidates — 725 men and 284 women — have been recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various services. Out of the total successful candidates, 335 are from the general category, 109 from the economically weaker sections, 318 from other backward classes, 160 from scheduled castes and 87 from scheduled tribes, according to a statement issued by the commission.
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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on Maratha Military Landscapes and National Education Policy (Week 111)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced multiple measures to bridge the gender gap in education. However, societal norms, infrastructure deficits, and implementation gaps continue to hinder its full potential. Discuss. The recent inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes—twelve Maratha forts spanning Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu—as a UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights India's assertion of its civilisational identity on the global stage. Discuss. Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced multiple measures to bridge the gender gap in education. However, societal norms, infrastructure deficits, and implementation gaps continue to hinder its full potential. Discuss. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — July 12 is celebrated as Malala Day, which honours the bravery of Malala Yousafzai, who has become a symbol of the fight for girls' education. Her story continues to inspire global efforts to ensure equitable and inclusive education. — The NEP, which replaced the National Education Policy of 1986, gives a comprehensive framework for both school and higher education. The objective is to make India's education more inclusive, equitable, holistic, multidisciplinary and flexible. Body: — The NEP underlines India's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and encourage lifelong learning opportunities for all. — It also seeks to rectify existing gender disparities through its measures. This is consistent with SDG 5, which seeks to promote gender equality and empower all women and girls. — The key priority areas of NEP 2020 in terms of gender are access and equity, curriculum and infrastructure development, and gender sensitisation. — When it comes to school education, India has achieved tremendous progress in females' enrolment since the passage of the Right to Education Act in 2009. According to the publication The Indian Economy: A Review, which was released by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in January 2024, the female gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education climbed from 6.7% in 2000-01 to 27.9% in 2020-21. According to the same survey, more girls than boys are currently pursuing higher education. — However, school dropout rates remain a worry. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), in 2021-22, 12.6% of students dropped out of secondary (9-10 class), 3% from upper primary (6-8 class), and 1.5% from elementary education (1-5 class). Notably, the average dropout rate for girls in primary education is 1.4%, followed by 3.3% in upper primary and 12.3% in secondary school. — The NEP 2020 intends to reduce dropout rates by achieving a 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030. As part of this endeavour, the government intends to establish a Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF), which will be accessible to states to build inclusive, safe, and sanitary facilities in schools, such as hostels and bathrooms. Conclusion: — The NEP acknowledges gender sensitivity as a necessary ability for all students and promotes gender equality as an inherent aspect of the curriculum. However, measures such as putting more emphasis on developing a gender-sensitive curriculum, incorporating sex education and menstrual health into school education, and raising awareness among girls, particularly in rural areas, about their legal, financial, and digital rights are critical for empowering them to be self-sufficient. — The NEP also urges governments to take initiatives to improve gender balance in admissions to higher education institutions. To facilitate this, professional social workers, counsellors, and teachers will need to mediate between parents and HEIs, allowing women to continue their education at higher levels. — Gender equality is viewed as a cross-cutting concern to be addressed in the NEP 2020. However, structural resistance to gender equity originates in families and society. As a result, effective implementation of the NEP on the ground would necessitate ongoing collaboration with non-governmental organisations and communities. To read more: Malala Day 2025: How India's NEP seeks to bridge gender gap in education Points to Ponder Read more about NEP Who was Malala Yousafzai? Related Previous Year Questions Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (2021) How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (2019) QUESTION 2: The recent inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes—twelve Maratha forts spanning Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu—as a UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights India's assertion of its civilisational identity on the global stage. Discuss. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Maratha military landscapes of India have been recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO described the inscription as including 12 major fortifications, 11 of which are in Maharashtra, and one in Tamil Nadu. — These forts were built, adapted, or expanded by the Marathas between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. The forts are strategically located on coastal and mountainous terrain which formed a complex defence system supporting Maratha military dominance, trade protection, and territorial control. Body: Maratha military landscapes of India 1. Raigad Fort — Raigad fort was formerly the capital of the Maratha Empire due to its strategic location and massive size. It is located in Maharashtra's north Konkan area. The fort is surrounded by deep valleys, and access is only via a steep approach in front. — The fort is significant in Marathi history since it was here in 1674 CE that Shivaji Maharaj was crowned and given the title of Chhatrapati. The Mughals took control of the fort in 1689 CE, followed by the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in 1707 CE, before returning to the Marathas about 1727 CE. The British eventually took over the fort in 1818 CE. 2. Pratapgad Fort — Pratapgad Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656, is located in the harsh environment of the Western Ghats, 24 kilometres from Mahabaleshwar. — The fort is well-known for its defensive architecture, which is regarded as a symbol of strategic ingenuity. The Upper Fort at Pratapgad served as an observation point, with strong, tall walls. The Lower Fort, built down the hillside, was critical to defending the fort's buildings. 3. Panhala Fort — Panhala Fort near Kolhapur was designed to be a self-sustaining settlement. Originally built in the 12th century CE by the Shilaharas, a feudatory dynasty of the Rashtrakutas who ultimately founded their independent kingdom, the fort was occupied by the Yadavas of the Deccan, the Bahmani sultanate, the Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur, and finally the Marathas. 4. Shivneri Fort — Shivneri Fort, located near Junnar in Pune district, is the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. The antiquity of the fort, triangular in shape and surrounded by cliffs, dates back to the 6th century CE, when it was built as a strategic military outpost. 5. Lohagad Fort — The 'Iron Fort' near Lonavala was originally built by the Lohtamia dynasty in the 10th century CE and later passed into the possession of the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahmanis, Nizam Shahis, Mughals, and eventually the Marathas. — Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1648, but was compelled to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665. In 1670, the Marathas recovered the fort, which was then utilised as a storage facility for the booty from the Surat expedition. 6. Salher Fort — Salher Fort is located in Satana taluka of Nashik district, near the village of Salher. It is a significant landmark of the Sahayadri mountain range, the highest fort in Maharashtra and one of the highest in the Western Ghats, located at a height 1,567 metres (5,141 feet). 7. Sindhudurg Fort — The fort stands on the island of Khurte in the Arabian Sea, off the Konkan coast. It was constructed in 1664-67 by Hiroji Indulkar, the chief military engineer of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to provide a secure base for maritime operations against the Portuguese, the British, and the local Siddis. 8. Suvarnadurg Fort — The 'Golden Fortress' is another island fortification erected by Shivaji Maharaj near Harnai port in Ratnagiri district. Suvarnadurg has a sibling stronghold on the mainland called Kanakadurga; the two constructions were once joined by a tunnel, which is no longer operational. — Suvarnadurg, originally established by the Adil Shahi dynasty, was conquered and renovated by Shivaji in 1660. As a key base for the Maratha fleet, it served as both a fortification and a shipbuilding yard. 9. Vijaydurg Fort — One of the oldest of the Maratha forts, the 'Fort of Victory' on the Arabian Sea coast in present-day Sindhudurg district was originally built by the Shilahar dynasty in the late 12th century. It was then known as Gheria. 10. Khanderi Fort — Khanderi, a small island off the coast of Alibaug, was fortified by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1679 to secure Maratha control over the coastal waters. 11. Rajgad Fort — The young Shivaji Maharaj took the 'King of Forts' in 1647 and used it as his capital for 26 years before establishing Raigad. This is where Shivaji Maharaj's son, Rajaram I, was born and his first wife, Saibai, died. It was also the fort where Shivaji Maharaj planned several of his military battles and kept the treasure from the Surat war of 1664. 12. Gingee Fort — Gingee Fort, located in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, is regarded as one of Peninsular India's most powerful fortresses. Gingee, like many other forts, has served as a bastion for various dynasties, including the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Bijapur Sultans, Mughals, Marathas, French, and English. (Source: From the Sahyadris to the sea: The 12 Maratha fortresses in UNESCO World Heritage List) To read more: Knowledge Nugget: Why are the Maratha Military Landscapes relevant for the UPSC exam? Points to Ponder Read about other important forts in Maharashtra Read in detail about each of the 12 forts Related Previous Year Question Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 110) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 110) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 110) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 109) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Why This Rajasthan Family Is Known As India's ‘IAS Factory'
Two remarkable families, from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, have produced multiple IAS and IPS officers—proving that legacy, dedication, and education shape success UPSC Success Stories: A family from Naharsinghpura village in Bamanwas, located in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district, has recently captured national attention. Dubbed the 'IAS factory', this remarkable family has produced six Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, an exceptional feat by any standard. The latest addition to this legacy is Arnab Pratap Singh, who secured an All-India Rank of 430 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022. His academic journey is equally commendable: he holds an MBBS degree from Maulana Azad Medical College, Lucknow, and received his early education at City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow and Delhi Public School (DPS) in Delhi. Arnab hails from a family steeped in the civil services tradition. His father, Babulal Meena, is a 1991 batch IAS officer currently serving in Uttar Pradesh. His mother, Veena Meena, is also an IAS officer, having joined the 1993 batch, and serves in the same cadre. The family's distinguished record continues with Arnab's uncle, Dr Battilal Meena (his father's elder brother), a retired IAS officer who has been instrumental in shaping this legacy. Adding to this impressive lineage are two of Arnab's cousins, daughters of his uncles, both of whom successfully cleared the UPSC in 2016 and are currently serving as IAS officers in the Gujarat cadre. The family's unwavering dedication to public service across generations is nothing short of inspiring, setting a benchmark for aspirants nationwide. A similar tale of success emerges from Lalganj, a small town in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Here, the Mishra family has carved its own unique place in UPSC history. Four siblings from this household have gone on to become IAS and IPS officers; an extraordinary accomplishment achieved through perseverance, resilience, and sheer merit. The journey began in 2013 with Yogesh Mishra, who was the first in the family to crack the UPSC. Inspired by him, his sister Madhavi Mishra entered the Indian Administrative Service in 2015. Their elder sister, Kshama Mishra, overcame significant personal and financial hardships to become an IPS officer in 2016. The youngest, Lokesh Mishra, later joined the civil services as an IAS officer, completing the family's remarkable quartet of success. The achievements of the Mishra siblings are well recognised in their region, and they continue to serve as a powerful source of motivation for local youth. Their story proves that with determination and hard work, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved. A Legacy Of Service And Inspiration The stories of the Meena and Mishra families serve as shining examples of what sustained effort, a strong educational foundation, and family support can accomplish. With multiple members from single families entering the civil services, their achievements go beyond personal success; they inspire entire communities and demonstrate the transformative power of education and ambition. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards is a must-read for your UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on Swachh Survekshan awards and Swachh Bharat Mission for today. (Relevance: Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the UPSC has included questions on this topic in both the Prelims and Mains examinations. In 2016, a Mains question was asked on 'How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?' In this regard, it is an important topic for your Prelims and Mains preparation.) Ahmedabad was named the cleanest big city in the country in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Ahmedabad for being the top city among those with a population of 10 lakh or above during the awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhagwan, New Delhi. The awards, instituted under the Swachh Bharat Mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, were started in 2016 with 73 cities. This year, 4,589 cities were covered in the survey that was held from April 2024 to March 2025. 1. The goal of this survey is to encourage citizen participation and create awareness among all sections of society about the importance of working together in creating clean cities and towns to reside in. It is conducted under the ambit of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). 2. The 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS) awards, which was announced by the President, has a revamped format. With Indore winning the tag of cleanest city for seven years in a row, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said last year that the next round of the Swachhata rankings will have a separate category for cities that have been ranked number one in the past, leaving the general competition open for new winners. 3. To address it, in this 9th edition of SS, a special category – Super Swachh League has been introduced, creating a separate league of cities excelling in cleanliness. This category recognises the cities that had been in the top three of their categories in the previous three years. 4. This new category, Super Swachh League Cities, included the previous winners Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai. Last year, Indore and Surat were jointly recognised as the cleanest cities, with Indore maintaining its top position for the seventh consecutive time. 5. It also said that for the first time ever, cities were classified into five population-based categories: (i) Very Small Cities (< 20,000 population) (ii) Small Cities (20,000 – 50,000 population) (iii) Medium Cities (50,000 – 3 Lakh population) (iv) Big Cities (3 – 10 Lakh population) (v) Million Plus Cities ( > 10 Lakh population) 5. Also, the Indicators have been simplified and structured into ten comprehensive sections, which cover the entire spectrum of urban sanitation and cleanliness. To maintain sanitation standards in key public spaces, a special emphasis has been placed on tourist destinations and high-footfall areas. 6. With the theme of 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R), the focus is on minimising wastage by using minimum resources and re-using them for the same purpose or other purposes. It also aligns with the Jaipur declaration, which was unanimously adopted at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific in March this year. 7. The awards were presented across four categories: Super Swachh League Cities, the top three clean cities in five population categories, Special category, and State-level awards – Promising clean city of the state/UT. In the special category: ↪ The Cleanest Ganga Town Award was given to Prayagraj. ↪ The Cleanest Cantonment Board Award was given to Secunderabad Cantt. ↪ The Safaimitra Surakshit Shehar Awards were given to Gvmc Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, And Gorakhpur. ↪ A special mention was given in recognition of the special initiative of Swachh Mahakumbh 2025. Madhya Pradesh: Indore Gujarat: Surat Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada Karnataka: Mysore Gujarat: Gandhinagar Madhya Pradesh: Ujjain Uttar Pradesh: Noida Union Territory: Chandigarh Chhattisgarh: Ambikapur Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council Maharashtra: Lonavala Pravara Rajasthan: Dungarpur Maharashtra: Panchgani, Panhala Madhya Pradesh: Bundi (Source: Swachh Survekshan 2024-25) 1. Last year, Swachh Bharat Mission completed its 10 years on 2nd October. This was one of the first programmes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he took office in 2014. 2. The mission was divided into SBM-Gramin for villages, and SBM-Urban for cities, executed by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs respectively. Along with this, Swachh Bharat Kosh (fund) was also launched 'to facilitate channelisation of philanthropic contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds' towards this cause. 3. SBM's focus areas were building individual toilets, community toilets, solid waste management, and leading awareness campaigns aimed at behavioural changes. 4. The PM announced that the SBM's main goal was to make India 'Open defecation-free' (ODF) by October 2, 2019, for which crores of household and community toilets had to be constructed. According to the ministry, 'A city/ ward can be notified/ declared as an ODF city/ ODF ward if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating in the open.' 5. In 2021, after the mission completed five years, the government launched SBM- Urban 2.0, with a focus on garbage-free cities, faecal sludge, plastic waste, capacity building, and greywater management. 6. Having achieved the ODF status, the government launched the phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, w.e.f. 2020-21. According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the objective of SBM-G phase II is 'to achieve Sampoorn Swachhata, i.e., sustaining the ODF status and managing solid and liquid waste by 2024-25 and transforming all the villages from ODF to ODF Plus Mode.' Consider the following statements: 1. For the past 7 years, Indore has been ranked first in the Super Swachh League of cities. 2. The 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS) awards classified cities into five population-based categories. 3. The Cleanest Cantonment Board Award was given to Secunderabad Cantt. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Source: Ahmedabad declared cleanest city in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 as Indore moves to 'super league', Top cleanest cities in India: Indore featured for the 7th time — see the full list, Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
