Kashish Bakshi IAS in 60 Seconds: Kashish Bakshi (born 7 May 1998, Haryana) is an IAS officer of the 2024 batch, Bihar cadre (originally Odisha, transferred after marriage). She secured All India Rank 54 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 with Law as her optional subject. She is the daughter of Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi of the Indian Army and graduated with an LLB from NLIU Bhopal in 2021. She grew up in 10 schools across 7 states as an army kid. She is married to Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS (AIR 50, 2024 batch, Bihar cadre). As of August 2026, she serves as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Patna City, Bihar.
Quick Information: Kashish Bakshi IAS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kashish Bakshi |
| Profession | IAS Officer — Indian Administrative Service |
| Date of Birth | 7 May 1998 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 28 Years |
| Birth Place | Ambala, Haryana |
| Domicile / Home State | Haryana |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Educational Qualification | B.A. LLB (5-Year Integrated Law) |
| College | National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal |
| Graduation Year | 2021 |
| UPSC Optional Subject | Law |
| Father’s Name | Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi, Indian Army |
| Mother’s Background | Law and Judiciary lineage |
| Husband | Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS (AIR 50, 2024 batch, Bihar cadre) |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 54 — UPSC CSE 2023 |
| IAS Batch | 2024 |
| Original Cadre | Odisha |
| Current Cadre | Bihar (transferred on grounds of marriage) |
| Current Posting | SDO, Patna City, Bihar (w.e.f. 21 August 2026) |
| Attempt Number | Details not publicly available |
Kashish Bakshi IAS is one of the most inspiring civil servants from the 2024 batch. She secured All India Rank 54 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 and today serves as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Patna City in Bihar.
Her background sets her apart. She is the daughter of Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi of the Indian Army and grew up moving across 10 schools in 7 states. Despite that constant change, she scored perfectly in Class X, achieved 95% in Class XII, and went on to earn a law degree from one of India’s top National Law Universities.
After cracking UPSC CSE 2023, she was first allotted the Odisha cadre. Following her marriage to fellow 2024-batch IAS officer Virupaksh Vikram Singh, her cadre was transferred to Bihar under the standard inter-cadre transfer rules for married officers.
A short clip from her UPSC personality test crossed 7 million views online, making her one of the most recognised faces from the 2023 batch of toppers.
Kashish Bakshi IAS Age, Early Life and Education
Birth and Childhood
Kashish Bakshi was born on 7 May 1998 in Ambala, Haryana. She is 28 years old as of 2026. Her home state is Haryana.
She grew up in a household shaped by two powerful traditions. Her father, Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi, served in the Indian Army at senior levels. Her mother comes from a family rooted in law and the judiciary. This combination of military discipline and legal thinking gave Kashish a strong foundation for both academic excellence and public service.
Life as an Army Kid
Being a fauji brat (army officer’s child) in India means one thing above all else: you move. A lot.
Kashish studied in 10 different schools across 7 states, many of which were Army Public Schools. For most students, frequent school changes would mean broken study rhythms and dropped grades. For Kashish, it built something more valuable: adaptability, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure — all traits an IAS officer needs every day in the field.
Schooling and Academic Results
Her senior schooling was completed at Delhi Public School (DPS) in Bhopal, where she appeared for both Class X and Class XII board exams.
| Exam | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Class X | Delhi Public School (DPS), Bhopal | Perfect 10.0 CGPA |
| Class XII | Delhi Public School (DPS), Bhopal | 95% Marks |
Scoring 10 CGPA in Class X while constantly shifting schools is a standout academic achievement. Her 95% in Class XII then cleared the way for entry into a premier National Law University.
College: NLIU Bhopal (2016–2021)
After school, Kashish joined the National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal, one of India’s oldest and most respected National Law Universities. She completed the 5-year integrated B.A. LLB programme and graduated with the batch of 2021.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal |
| Course | B.A. LLB (5-Year Integrated) |
| Batch | 2016–2021 |
| University Rank | Premier National Law University (NLU) |
| Known Strength | Moot court, legal research, ADR, advocacy |
At NLIU, she did not limit herself to classrooms. She took part in national and international moot court and debating competitions, reaching the finals in several of them. NLIU has a strong Moot Court Association and regularly sends teams to top-level national and international moots. This gave her sharp skills in structured argumentation, quick thinking, and communication — all of which directly helped in the UPSC interview stage.
UPSC Journey, Optional Subject and Rank
After graduating from NLIU Bhopal in 2021, Kashish committed herself to UPSC preparation.
She appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 and secured All India Rank 54. Results were declared in April 2024.
Optional subject: She chose Law as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains examination, which directly matched her legal education from NLIU Bhopal.
UPSC CSE 2023 Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 |
| Result Date | April 2024 |
| All India Rank (AIR) | 54 |
| Optional Subject | Law |
| Service Allotted | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Original Cadre Allotted | Odisha |
| Batch | 2024 |
| Medium | English |
| UPSC Registration No. | 1109551 |
| Total Candidates Selected | 1,016 (IAS, IPS, IFS and other services) |
The Viral UPSC Interview Moment
During her UPSC Personality Test, a board member asked Kashish about the full form of LLB, since she held a law degree. She answered with clear confidence and without any hesitation.
A 34-second clip of this exchange spread across YouTube and social media, crossing 7 million views. It became one of the most-watched UPSC interview clips of 2024 and made her face instantly recognisable among aspirants across India.
She also featured in a Vision IAS Jaipur toppers’ talk session — “Jaipur Toppers’ Talk | Ms. Kashish Bakshi, AIR 54 | UPSC CSE 2023” — which received over 1.6 lakh (161,000) views on YouTube.
Family Details
Father: Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi
Kashish’s father is Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi, who served in the Indian Army and retired at the two-star rank of Major General. His career took the family across seven states, which shaped Kashish’s early life significantly.
His influence on her is clear: discipline, adaptability, and a strong sense of duty. She chose a path of civil service, which in many ways reflects the spirit of military service in a different arena.
Mother: Law and Judiciary Background
Her mother comes from a family rooted in law and the judiciary. This background pointed Kashish toward law as her graduation stream at NLIU and later as her UPSC optional subject.
Husband: Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS
Kashish Bakshi IAS is married to Virupaksh Vikram Singh, who secured All India Rank 50 in UPSC CSE 2023 and is also a 2024-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre. He hails from Jamhore, Aurangabad district, Bihar.
Following the marriage, Kashish applied for an inter-cadre transfer from Odisha cadre to Bihar cadre under Rule 5(2) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, which permits cadre transfers on grounds of marriage. The Central Government, with consent from both state governments and DoPT, approved the transfer.
As of the Bihar government’s August 2026 reshuffle orders, Virupaksh Vikram Singh was posted as SDO, Danapur (Patna district), while Kashish Bakshi was posted as SDO, Patna City — both in the same district.
Family Summary
| Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi — Indian Army |
| Mother | Background in law and judiciary |
| Husband | Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS — AIR 50, 2024 batch, Bihar cadre |
| Husband’s Posting | SDO, Danapur, Bihar (August 2026) |
| Children | No information available |
| Home State (Domicile) | Haryana |
| Caste Category | No information available |
Kashish Bakshi IAS — Cadre, Career and Current Posting
Initial Allotment: Odisha Cadre
After her UPSC CSE 2023 result, Kashish Bakshi IAS was initially allotted the Odisha cadre as part of the 2024 batch. She joined service through Direct Recruitment and proceeded for foundational and professional training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
Cadre Transfer: Odisha to Bihar
Following her marriage to Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS (Bihar cadre, 2024 batch), Kashish applied for an inter-cadre transfer from Odisha to Bihar. The transfer was approved by DoPT, the Government of Odisha, and the Government of Bihar under Rule 5(2) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954 — the standard legal provision that allows a married IAS officer to move to their spouse’s cadre.
Current Posting: SDO, Patna City, Bihar
On 21 August 2026, following the completion of her Phase-II professional training at LBSNAA, the Bihar government appointed Kashish Bakshi IAS as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Patna City. This was part of a major Bihar government reshuffle of 23 IAS officers announced on 22–23 August 2026, and confirmed by multiple official sources including Indian Bureaucracy, Patna Press, Elets eGov, and APAC Media.
As SDO Patna City, her responsibilities include:
- Revenue administration and land records
- Law and order maintenance in the sub-division
- Supervision of developmental schemes and public works
- Redressal of public grievances
- Coordination with district administration
Posting and Cadre Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IAS Batch | 2024 |
| Original Cadre | Odisha |
| Current Cadre | Bihar (transferred on marriage grounds) |
| Training | Phase I & II at LBSNAA, Mussoorie |
| Current Post | Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Patna City |
| Posting Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Reporting Authority | District Magistrate, Patna |
| Central Deputation | No |
Career Timeline
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 May 1998 | Born in Ambala, Haryana |
| Up to 2016 | Schooled across 7 states in 10 different schools; final years at DPS Bhopal |
| Class X | Scored perfect 10.0 CGPA at DPS Bhopal |
| Class XII | Scored 95% at DPS Bhopal |
| 2016–2021 | Completed B.A. LLB at National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal |
| 2021 | Graduated from NLIU; began UPSC preparation |
| 2023 | Appeared in UPSC CSE 2023 with Law as optional subject |
| April 2024 | Result declared — All India Rank 54; allotted IAS, Odisha cadre |
| 2024–2025 | Foundation & Phase-I training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie |
| 2025 | Married Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS (AIR 50, Bihar cadre, 2024 batch) |
| 2025 | Inter-cadre transfer from Odisha to Bihar approved under Rule 5(2) of IAS Cadre Rules |
| Early 2026 | Phase-II professional training at LBSNAA completed |
| 21 August 2026 | Appointed SDO, Patna City, Bihar (currently serving) |
UPSC CSE 2023 Toppers Context
Where Kashish Bakshi IAS (AIR 54) stands among her batch peers:
| AIR | Name | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aditya Srivastava | From Lucknow; Electrical Engineering optional; 3rd attempt |
| 2 | Animesh Pradhan | Allotted Odisha cadre |
| 3 | Donuru Ananya Reddy | Among top women candidates |
| 7 | Anmol Rathore | Law graduate, Gujarat NLU; from J&K |
| 50 | Virupaksh Vikram Singh | Law graduate, NLU Delhi; husband of Kashish Bakshi |
| 54 | Kashish Bakshi | Law graduate, NLIU Bhopal; daughter of Maj Gen Praveen Bakshi |
| 55 | Yogesh Dilhor | Law graduate, NLSIU Bangalore (2016 batch) |
Total selected in UPSC CSE 2023: 1,016 (IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services)
Law graduates who cleared UPSC CSE 2023: At least 23, as reported by Bar and Bench
Why Law as Optional? A Strategic Insight
One of the most common questions aspirants ask about Kashish Bakshi IAS is why she picked Law as her UPSC optional subject.
The answer is clean and logical: she had just spent 5 years studying law at NLIU Bhopal. Choosing an optional you have formally studied at university level is widely considered one of the strongest preparation strategies for UPSC Mains. Here is how this choice worked in her favour:
| Factor | How Law Optional Helped Kashish |
|---|---|
| Deep subject knowledge | 5 years of LLB means thorough familiarity with legal concepts, case law and constitutional principles |
| Answer writing style | Law trains structured, point-by-point argument writing — directly useful in UPSC Mains |
| Moot court experience | Builds speed, clarity and logical structure in written and spoken arguments |
| Interview confidence | Legal background made UPSC board questioning on her LLB very comfortable — as seen in the viral clip |
| GS paper overlap | Constitutional law, governance and polity topics in GS Papers II and III overlap directly with Law optional |
| Batchmate success | Virupaksh Vikram Singh (AIR 50) also chose Law as optional from NLU Delhi |
For aspirants from a legal background, the fact that two of the top 55 rankers in UPSC CSE 2023 — ranks 50 and 54 — both chose Law optional from NLUs is one of the strongest recent endorsements for this subject combination.
Awards and Achievements
Academic
- Perfect 10.0 CGPA in Class X at Delhi Public School (DPS), Bhopal
- 95% marks in Class XII at DPS Bhopal
- B.A. LLB from NLIU Bhopal — one of India’s premier National Law Universities — graduating in 2021 batch
Competitive
- Finalist in national moot court competitions during her time at NLIU Bhopal
- Finalist in national and international debating competitions at NLIU Bhopal
- All India Rank 54 in UPSC CSE 2023 — placing her in the top 0.006% of approximately 900,000 applicants
- One of 23 law graduates who cleared UPSC CSE 2023 (as reported by Bar and Bench)
Career and Recognition
- Allotted the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) — India’s top civil service
- Inter-cadre transfer to Bihar successfully processed on marriage grounds
- Appointed as SDO, Patna City, Bihar on 21 August 2026 after completing both phases of LBSNAA training
- Featured speaker at Gantavya Career Programme, Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE), Government of India
- Featured in Vision IAS Jaipur’s toppers’ talk series (161,000+ YouTube views)
- UPSC interview clip crossed 7 million+ views online — one of the most-watched UPSC moments of 2024
10 Interesting Facts About Kashish Bakshi IAS
- Army family roots: She is the daughter of Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi of the Indian Army. Her father’s transfers meant she lived across multiple states from childhood.
- 10 schools in 7 states: She changed schools 10 times across 7 Indian states due to her father’s army postings — an unusually high number even among fauji kids.
- Perfect Class X CGPA: She scored 10.0 CGPA in Class X at Delhi Public School, Bhopal, a perfect score achieved despite a frequently changing school environment.
- 95% in Class XII: Her 95% in senior school was the result of consistent academic performance and earned her a seat at a top National Law University.
- NLIU Bhopal 2021 batch: She is a proud alumna of the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal — one of India’s oldest National Law Universities and known for strong moot court culture.
- Law optional in UPSC: She chose Law as her UPSC Mains optional subject, directly extending her legal education. Her batchmate and husband Virupaksh Vikram Singh (AIR 50) also chose Law from NLU Delhi — making them one of the rare UPSC topper couples who both used the same optional.
- 7 million+ viral interview clip: A 34-second clip of her UPSC personality test, where the board asked about the full form of LLB, went viral with over 7 million views — making her one of the most-recognised faces from the 2023 batch.
- Married a fellow topper: She is married to Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS, who secured AIR 50 in the same UPSC CSE 2023 exam. Both belong to the 2024 batch and serve in the Bihar cadre.
- Cadre transfer on marriage: Her cadre was transferred from Odisha to Bihar under Rule 5(2) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954. Her husband Virupaksh is posted as SDO Danapur, while she serves as SDO Patna City — both in the same district.
- Real field work from day one: After completing Phase-II training at LBSNAA, she took charge as SDO Patna City on 21 August 2026 — a posting that deals directly with revenue, law and order, and public welfare in one of Bihar’s most important urban subdivisions.
Conclusion
Kashish Bakshi IAS represents everything a new generation of civil servants can be. She moved across 10 schools in 7 states, never lost focus, scored perfectly in Class X, got 95% in Class XII, earned her LLB from a top NLU, and then cracked UPSC CSE 2023 at AIR 54.
Her story has several layers. She came from a military family that values duty above comfort. She chose law as her path and let that expertise carry her through the hardest examination in India. She cleared UPSC, got allotted the IAS, married a fellow topper from the same batch, had her cadre transferred to Bihar, and is now doing real field work as SDO Patna City — all within two years of her result.
As Sub-Divisional Officer of Patna City, she manages one of Bihar’s most densely populated urban subdivisions. Revenue disputes, law and order, public schemes, and community grievances all land on her desk. It is a demanding role for anyone, let alone an officer just two years into service.
That is exactly what makes her journey worth following. Kashish Bakshi IAS has shown that strong roots, a clear goal, and the willingness to do the work — in every exam hall and every field posting — are what turn aspiration into reality.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Kashish Bakshi IAS?
She is an IAS officer of the 2024 batch, Bihar cadre. She secured AIR 54 in UPSC CSE 2023 with Law as her optional subject. She is the daughter of Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi and a law graduate from NLIU Bhopal.
Q2. What is Kashish Bakshi IAS age?
She was born on 7 May 1998. She is 28 years old as of 2026.
Q3. What is Kashish Bakshi IAS rank in UPSC?
She secured All India Rank (AIR) 54 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023.
Q4. What is Kashish Bakshi IAS current posting?
She is currently serving as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Patna City, Bihar, a position she took charge of on 21 August 2026 after completing Phase-II training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie.
Q5. Which cadre does Kashish Bakshi IAS belong to?
She currently belongs to the Bihar cadre. She was originally allotted the Odisha cadre after UPSC CSE 2023, and was transferred to Bihar following her marriage to Virupaksh Vikram Singh IAS (Bihar cadre).
Q6. Who is Kashish Bakshi IAS husband?
Her husband is Virupaksh Vikram Singh, an IAS officer who secured AIR 50 in UPSC CSE 2023. He also belongs to the 2024 batch and Bihar cadre, and is currently posted as SDO, Danapur.
Q7. What was Kashish Bakshi IAS optional subject?
She chose Law as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains examination, confirmed by Bar and Bench’s report on law graduates who cleared UPSC CSE 2023.
Q8. Who is Kashish Bakshi IAS father?
Her father is Major General (Retd.) Praveen Bakshi, a former senior officer of the Indian Army.
