What are the odds? Four UPSC rank holders come from the same DU college, same department and from consecutive batches

Time of India

23-04-2025

By all accounts, it sounds like the perfect opening montage to a feel-good Bollywood biopic: four young dreamers walking through the leafy corridors of a college, notebooks in hand, hearts full of ambition. But this isn't fiction. This is the very real and extraordinary tale of four students from the Geography Department of Kirori Mal College (KMC), Delhi University—each from a different consecutive batch—who have cracked the
UPSC
Civil Services Examination 2025 with flying colors.
And what makes it all the more unbelievable? Two of them are sisters.
The Mishra Sisters: A Dream Shared, A Dream Realized
Saumya Mishra, a 2014–2017 alumna of KMC's Geography Department, secured an All India
Rank
(AIR) of 18 in the UPSC CSE 2025 and is now set to join the coveted Indian Administrative Service (
IAS
). Currently serving as SDM Madihan in Mirzapur after previously securing Rank 2 in UPPCS 2022, Saumya's journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
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But the Mishra family's tryst with success didn't stop there. Her younger sister, Sumegha Mishra, from the 2017–2020 batch of the same department, also found her name etched in the final UPSC PDF this year, securing an impressive AIR 253.
Speaking about their joint achievement, Sumegha said, 'I feel truly blessed. We studied and struggled together, so seeing both our names in the final PDF is a special and emotional moment.' For her, the journey has been marked by unwavering self-belief and a consistent attitude. 'To aspirants, I'd say: trust the process, keep learning, and don't hesitate to seek support when needed. Surround yourself with positive people and have a positive attitude,' she added.
ET Online
Saumya Mishra (AIR 18) and Sumegha Mishra (AIR 253)
More Than Just a Coincidence
Add to this mix Ritwik Mehta, who studied at KMC between 2016 and 2019 and secured Rank 115 this year. Already selected in last year's exam and currently undergoing training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy for the Indian Police Service (IPS), Ritwik represents the image of a persistent aspirant whose hard work is now paying dual dividends.
Ritwik Mehta (AIR 115)
And rounding off this quartet is Sanskar Tripathi from the 2015–2018 batch, who clinched Rank 383. His story adds an additional layer of grit and realism to this collective triumph. After facing repeated setbacks at the mains stage despite clearing prelims in his first three attempts, Sanskar didn't give up. Instead, he chose to broaden his horizons by attempting various state service exams—including
Uttar Pradesh
, Haryana, and Uttarakhand—and eventually got selected in the education services of Uttarakhand.
Sanskar Tripathi (AIR 383)
'Those experiences gave me confidence and improved my answer writing. I also learned that civil service doesn't have to mean just UPSC or IAS. If you aim to serve, state services are equally valid and rewarding paths,' said Sanskar, who recently completed his state service training in Uttarakhand but didn't join the post, awaiting his UPSC interview and results.
His stint with the Uttarakhand government wasn't just a detour—it became a defining part of his journey. 'Many of the questions in my UPSC interview came from my state service experience. It helped me articulate real-world governance issues better. My training in education services exposed me to the spirit of Antyodaya—serving the last person—and that's the vision I'll carry forward,' he added.
The Faculty's Pride: "Consistency, Passion, and Self-Expression"
Prof. (Dr.) Seena Mehra Parihar, a senior faculty member in the Department of Geography, Kirori Mal College, could barely contain her pride. 'I remember each of my students, and the common trait among all of them was commitment and consistency,' she said.
She emphasized that nearly 90% of students entering the department are UPSC aspirants, making it crucial for them to express themselves and stay driven. 'This data set is unique for the department and for me. Four students from four consecutive batches is rare—and all with gender parity. It's a moment of celebration,' she added, also lauding the increasing number of women in this year's list of toppers.
Another proud mentor, Dr. Jeetesh Rai, echoed these sentiments. He believes this milestone, though exceptional, is rooted in academic alignment and diligent effort. 'The Geography Honours syllabus we offer covers a wide base of the UPSC curriculum. Papers like Environmental Studies,
Sustainable Development
, and
Rural Development
provide a strong foundation for public service,' he said.
For Dr. Rai, cracking the exam isn't always about coaching—it's about the will to learn. 'If professors and students give their best with sincerity, coaching becomes redundant. Writing practice is essential. It sharpens your mind, improves expression, and gives you an edge.'
From Books to Bharat: What Lies Ahead
While each of the four now embarks on their journey into the civil services, what ties them together is more than a shared alma mater. It is the shared values of perseverance, purpose, and preparation instilled during their college years.
In fact, Sanskar credits Kirori Mal College as the launchpad of his UPSC journey. 'KMC helped me build a strong foundation in Geography. But even more important was the network it gave me—seniors, peers, juniors—who guide and support each other,' he said. It was this very network that inspired him to give UPSC another shot after getting selected in the state services.
'Just last year, my senior Kanchan Chaudhary cracked the UPSC after her state selection. And even this year, Saumya Mishra guided me during my interview prep. That kind of mentorship is priceless,' he reflected.
Sumegha, reflecting on her future as a civil servant, said, 'I look forward to contributing meaningfully to nation-building, understanding grassroots challenges, and working to serve the nation.'
An institution known for producing stalwarts in cinema, politics, and the arts—from Amitabh Bachchan to Naveen Patnaik—Kirori Mal College can now also celebrate this unique achievement in the sphere of public service. While the likes of famous screenwriters, directors, and performers continue to carry KMC's creative legacy, these four geography grads are mapping a new path—one that leads from the classroom to the corridors of power.
As the Geography Department basks in this extraordinary moment, one can't help but wonder: was it destiny, environment, or simply a matter of consistent hard work? Whatever it may be, the odds were certainly beaten—and how.