Becoming an IAS or IPS officer is a dream for many, but only a few are able to clear the coveted and one of the most difficult UPSC exams of the country. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) results were eagerly awaited across the country and that wait finally ended on September 24. A total of 761 candidates passed the exam, of which 545 are males and 216 are females.

Among the toppers is Apala Mishra, who secured All India Rank 9 in the UPSC CSE this year.

Dr Apala Mishra, who lives in Ghaziabad's Vasundhara Sector-5, is originally from the Old Post Office Civil Line of Basti. Apala wants to serve the country by making a better policy abroad. She believes that she should do something so that she can bring some change to society.

Dr Apala’s father Amitabh Mishra is a retired Colonel in the Army and elder brother Arik is a Major. Mata Alpana Mishra is a Professor in the Faculty of Hindi in Delhi University. Dr Apala Mishra studied up to 10th from Dehradun and 11th and 12th from Delhi.

In 2017, Apala became a doctor by doing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Hyderabad. Dr Apala started preparing for the UPSC exam from 2018 onwards. In an interview to a leading portal, Dr Apala said, “My background served as a source of inspiration for me. I took a careful look at our country’s healthcare system and realized it requires more attention. This thought inspired me to pursue a career in the civil service in order to make a greater impact in society."

“Exams like UPSC CSE can take a mental toll on anyone and it is very essential for aspirants to take care of themselves. It is important to make yourself a priority while chasing your goal,” she added.