Ishita Rathi is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2022 batch, AGMUT cadre, celebrated for achieving All India Rank 8 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 on her third attempt, entirely through self-study without any formal coaching.
Born into a family devoted to law enforcement, with her father serving as a Head Constable and her mother as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Delhi Police, Rathi has become a widely recognized inspirational figure among UPSC aspirants. She currently serves as Sub-Collector (Revenue, North) in Puducherry.
Profile
| Full Name | Ishita Rathi |
| Born | October 19, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Birthplace | Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, India (family based in Delhi) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer |
| Home State | Delhi |
| Parents | Father, Iqbal Rathi (Head Constable, Delhi Police); Mother, Meenakshi Rathi (Assistant Sub-Inspector, Delhi Police) |
| Siblings | Brother, currently preparing for the UPSC examination |
| Relationship | Unmarried |
| Education | B.A. (Hons) Economics, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University; M.A. Economics, Madras School of Economics |
| Cadre | AGMUT, IAS Batch 2022 |
Early Life
Ishita Rathi was born on October 19, 1994, in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, though her family has long been based in Delhi, residing in Chhatarpur village.
She is the daughter of Iqbal Rathi, a Head Constable, and Meenakshi Rathi, an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Delhi Police, with her mother assigned to the South-East District and her father to the Traffic Unit.
Growing up surrounded by parents dedicated to public service in law enforcement, Rathi has spoken about how her mother’s pioneering role in a male-dominated police service inspired her own determination and sense of discipline from a young age.
Education
Ishita Rathi completed her early education at DAV Public School in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, where she was a consistent merit scholar, scoring 94% in her 10th standard and 97% in her 12th standard examinations.
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Economics from the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, before completing a Master’s degree in Economics from the Madras School of Economics in Chennai, an institution affiliated with the Central University of Tamil Nadu.
She prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination entirely through self-study, without enrolling in any coaching institute, relying on NCERT textbooks, standard reference books such as Laxmikanth for Polity, newspapers, monthly magazines, and online resources including YouTube.
Career
Ishita Rathi’s UPSC journey spanned three attempts. She first appeared for the Civil Services Examination in 2019, followed by a second attempt in 2020 in which she cleared the Mains and reached the interview stage.
Choosing Economics as her optional subject, a challenging choice given its extensive syllabus and limited study resources, she leveraged her academic background to her advantage. In her third attempt in 2021, she achieved All India Rank 8, officially earning her selection into the Indian Administrative Service.
Following her selection, Ishita Rathi completed her mandatory training, including the Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), and was allotted to the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre.
She has since been posted as Sub-Collector (Revenue, North)-cum-Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Puducherry, a position she has held since October 21, 2024, where she manages revenue administration and district-level governance matters.
Awards & Nominations
No specific formal awards were available for Ishita Rathi at the time of publication; her primary recognition stems from her All India Rank 8 achievement in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 and her widely publicized self-study success story.
Social Media
Ishita Rathi’s professional journey and UPSC preparation insights have been documented extensively through Indian civil services media coverage and educational platforms aimed at aspiring UPSC candidates, rather than through a prominent personal social media presence.
Personal Life
Ishita Rathi is currently unmarried. She has spoken about wanting to join the IAS specifically to advocate for the rights of women and children, drawing inspiration from her mother’s trailblazing career in law enforcement. Her brother is reportedly following in her footsteps and preparing for the UPSC examination himself.
She has often emphasized the importance of self-confidence, positive surroundings, and good health as key pillars for aspiring civil servants during her own preparation journey.
Net Worth
As a serving IAS officer, Ishita Rathi’s income is derived from her official government salary and allowances, currently at Pay Level 11 in the IAS Pay Matrix. Specific net worth figures have not been publicly disclosed.
Career Postings
- Foundation Course training, LBSNAA (2022)
- Sub-Collector (Revenue, North) / Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Puducherry (since October 21, 2024)
Conclusion
Ishita Rathi’s path to the Indian Administrative Service, achieved through three determined attempts and entirely self-directed preparation, reflects the values of discipline and perseverance instilled in her by a family dedicated to public service.
Her current role in Puducherry’s district administration continues to reflect her stated commitment to serving the public, particularly women and children, through effective governance.