Ishita Kishore, a national-level football player and former Risk Analyst at Ernst & Young, secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Exam 2022. Her journey reflects remarkable perseverance; she did not qualify the prelims in her first two attempts but cracked the exam in her third attempt with a total score of 1094.
Coming from a military background, Ishita’s father, Wing Commander Sanjay Kishore, passed away in 2004, while her mother, Jyoti Kishore, is a retired teacher. Despite personal challenges, she stayed determined and even left her corporate job to pursue her dream of serving the nation.
With an academic foundation in Economics (Hons.) from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Ishita built her preparation strategy around consistent effort, dedicating 40-45 hours a week to study.
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Ishita Kishore UPSC AIR 1 2022
Ishita Kishore was born in Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana, but spent much of her childhood in Bihar before eventually settling in Delhi. She comes from a diverse and accomplished family, her father served as an Indian Air Force officer, her mother worked as a private school teacher, and her brother is a lawyer. Alongside academics, she nurtured a passion for sports. A football enthusiast, she not only played the game at the national level but also represented her team in the Subroto Cup in 2012.
| Ishita Kishore Overview | |
|
Name |
Ishita Kishore |
|
Age (at qualifying) |
26 years |
|
Rank |
AIR-1 (2022) |
|
Attempt |
3rd |
|
Optional Subject |
Political Science & International Relations |
|
Family Background |
Father (late Wing Commander, Indian Air Force), Mother (retired teacher), Brother (advocate) |
|
Hometown |
Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
|
School |
Air Force Bal Bharati School, New Delhi |
|
College & Stream |
Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University (Economics Hons) |
|
Selected for |
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
Ishita Kishore Educational Qualification
Ishita Kishore completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School, New Delhi, where she scored an impressive 97.25% in Class 12. She went on to pursue Economics (Hons.) from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University. After graduation, she joined Ernst & Young as a Risk Analyst, but in 2019 she made the bold decision to resign and dedicate herself fully to UPSC preparation.
Her academic journey was never limited to the classroom. In school, she took charge of Interact, a Rotary-sponsored group, and even participated in UN meetings during school events. At SRCC, she was active in the Economic Society and Literary Society, and also interned with the NGO CRY (Child Rights and You).
Outside academics, Ishita balanced her life with hobbies and creative pursuits. She enjoys playing squash and has a particular fondness for Madhubani painting, reflecting her artistic side.
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Ishita Kishore Optional Subject
With a strong academic foundation in Economics from the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Ishita Kishore was well-equipped to take on the UPSC Syllabus. What truly set her apart, however, was her choice of optional subject, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR).
This subject aligned perfectly with her interests and also overlapped significantly with the General Studies papers, allowing her to prepare in a more integrated and holistic way. The breadth of PSIR, from classical political theory to evolving global issues, sharpened her analytical abilities and enriched her answers in the mains examination.
Ishita Kishore Family Background
Ishita Kishore comes from a family with a strong military tradition. Her father, Wing Commander Sanjay Kishore, served in the Indian Air Force until his passing in 2004. Her mother, Jyoti Kishore, worked as a teacher before retiring, while her brother, Ishan Harsh, is an advocate. Growing up in this environment of service and discipline deeply shaped her values and sense of responsibility, which later became guiding principles in her civil services journey.
Ishita Kishore Marksheet
The Union Public Service Commission released the official marksheet of all successful candidates on 24 May 2023. Ishita Kishore Marksheet reflects the consistency and balance in her preparation, with strong performance across the General Studies papers and her chosen optional, Political Science and International Relations. Her score of 1094 marks secured her All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2022.

Ishita Kishore Challenges
- Ishita Kishore could not clear the prelims in her first two attempts.
- She recalibrated her strategy by focusing on answer-writing skills and time management.
- Managing self-doubt and the pressure of UPSC was a major challenge.
- She followed a disciplined routine of 40-45 study hours per week.
- Rigorous practice, revision, and consistency became the core of her preparation.
- Ishita balanced exam preparation with mental well-being, reducing burnout.
- Her optional subject, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), overlapped with GS papers and strengthened her answers.
- She developed a strong grasp of governance, diplomacy, and global issues.
- Her success reflects the value of adaptability, discipline, and resilience.
Last updated on November, 2025
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