Mittali Sethi, IAS, is a name synonymous with resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to public service. A 2017-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre, she has emerged as an inspiring figure for UPSC aspirants and individuals seeking meaningful career transitions. From being an accomplished orthodontist to cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) with an All India Rank (AIR) of 56, Mittali’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose-driven ambition. Currently serving as the Director at Vanamati in Nagpur, Maharashtra, she continues to impact lives through her work in education, tribal development, and child nutrition.
Early Life and Education
Mittali Sethi was born and raised in Jalandhar, Punjab, in a family that valued education and hard work. From a young age, she exhibited a keen interest in academics and excelled in her studies. After completing her schooling in Jalandhar, Mittali pursued a career in dentistry, a field that requires precision, patience, and dedication—qualities that would later define her civil services journey.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) and went on to specialize in orthodontics, obtaining a Master’s degree in the same field. Her academic journey took her to Chennai, where she honed her skills as a dental professional. As an orthodontist, Mittali worked with patients to correct dental irregularities, a role she found fulfilling yet limited in scope. Despite her success in the medical field, she began to feel a growing desire to contribute to society on a broader scale.
Mittali’s personal life also played a significant role in shaping her perspective. She married a Maharashtrian radiologist, and the couple eventually settled in Pondicherry. This multicultural exposure—growing up in Punjab, marrying into a Maharashtrian family, studying in Chennai, and living in Pondicherry—broadened her worldview and instilled in her a deep appreciation for diversity, a trait that would later aid her in her administrative career.
A Transformative Turning Point
Mittali’s life took a pivotal turn when she attended a residential youth camp organized by NIRMAN, an NGO in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. This experience exposed her to the challenges faced by rural and tribal communities and ignited a passion for social change. During the camp, she observed innovative grassroots solutions, such as a teacher using dance to teach English and the absence of dental caries in children due to traditional lifestyles. These encounters left a lasting impression on her and prompted her to question the confines of her career as an orthodontist.
At the time, Mittali was a professor in Pondicherry, leading a stable and comfortable life. However, she and her husband began to feel a shared restlessness, yearning for a deeper sense of purpose. While her husband explored his passion for music, Mittali sought to engage with societal issues more directly. The Gadchiroli camp became a catalyst, inspiring her to explore career opportunities beyond dentistry.
It was during this period of exploration that Mittali stumbled upon the idea of civil services. In a candid moment, she recalls asking a friend preparing for the UPSC exam, “What is IAS? What is UPSC?” Until 2014, she was unaware of the full form of either term, a testament to how far removed she was from the world of competitive exams and public administration. Her husband initially laughed at her lack of general knowledge, jokingly remarking that her current affairs awareness was “not zero, but in negative.” Undeterred, Mittali decided to take on the challenge of preparing for the UPSC CSE, a decision that would redefine her life.
The UPSC Journey: Overcoming Challenges
Mittali Sethi’s UPSC journey was far from easy. At 29 years old, she was married, working full-time, and had no prior exposure to the rigorous demands of the civil services examination. The UPSC CSE, known for its vast syllabus and intense competition, tests candidates on a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, polity, economics, and current affairs. For Mittali, the first hurdle was overcoming her lack of familiarity with these topics.
She began her preparation by picking up a newspaper for the first time in a decade, a task that initially took her eight hours to complete. Undaunted, she immersed herself in books on economics, law, and other subjects, gradually building her knowledge base. Mittali chose Psychology as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains, leveraging her background in dentistry and her interest in human behavior. Her methodical approach and disciplined study routine paid off, but success did not come immediately.
In her first two attempts, Mittali failed to clear the Preliminary stage of the exam. These setbacks, however, only fueled her determination. She continued working as an orthodontist while preparing for her third attempt, balancing her professional commitments with her UPSC studies. By her third attempt in 2016, Mittali had gained a deeper understanding of the exam’s demands and developed a sense of enjoyment in the process. Her perseverance paid off when she cleared the UPSC CSE 2016 with an impressive AIR of 56, securing a place in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service.
Career as an IAS Officer
Mittali Sethi joined the IAS in 2017 as part of the Maharashtra cadre. Her training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie equipped her with the skills and knowledge needed to serve as a civil servant. After completing her initial training, she was posted as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Project Officer for the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in Melghat, a tribal region in Amravati district, Maharashtra.
In Melghat, Mittali focused on addressing issues related to child nutrition, tribal development, and education. She worked closely with local communities and NGOs to combat malnutrition, drawing on her medical background to assess and address health challenges. One of her notable initiatives was organizing a discussion forum with local NGOs, which uncovered valuable data on child mortality and informed her strategies for intervention.
In 2021, Mittali was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad, Chandrapur, a position she held until recently. As CEO, she prioritized education, sanitation, and community development, emphasizing the importance of local-level data and collaboration with grassroots organizations. Her approach to governance is characterized by transparency and accessibility—she even displayed her phone number outside the Zilla Parishad office, encouraging people to reach out with their concerns.
Currently, Mittali serves as the Director at Vanamati (Vasantrao Naik State Agricultural Extension Management Training Institute) in Nagpur, Maharashtra. In this role, she continues to contribute to rural development and capacity building, aligning her work with her overarching goal of creating meaningful change.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Mittali Sethi’s personal life reflects her commitment to balance and self-reflection. She is a mother to twin children, born in 2022, and often writes about the joys and challenges of parenthood on her blog, Living the Writeful Way. Despite her demanding career, she finds time to engage in creative pursuits, such as writing and reading, which she sees as essential to her personal growth.
Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that happiness stems from serving others and embracing challenges. In a social media thread reflecting on her six-year IAS journey, she wrote, “I am still learning this but happiness began and stayed within me when the centre of my universe was not me.” Mittali credits her success to the unwavering support of her family and friends, particularly the seven friends who accompanied her to Delhi for her UPSC interview, ensuring she felt confident and supported.
Legacy and Inspiration
Mittali Sethi’s story is a powerful example of how determination, adaptability, and a desire to serve can lead to extraordinary achievements. Her transition from dentistry to civil services, despite initial failures and societal expectations, inspires countless UPSC aspirants and individuals seeking career changes. Through her work in Maharashtra, she has demonstrated the impact of empathetic and community-driven governance.
As an IAS officer, Mittali continues to advocate for education, child welfare, and tribal development, leaving a lasting legacy in the regions she serves. Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance, unlearning societal norms, and pursuing one’s true calling, making her a role model for aspiring civil servants and changemakers alike.
Top FAQs About Mittali Sethi, IAS
1. Who is Mittali Sethi, IAS?
Mittali Sethi is a 2017-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre who cleared the UPSC CSE 2016 with an AIR of 56. She is a former orthodontist who transitioned into civil services and currently serves as the Director at Vanamati in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
2. What was Mittali Sethi’s educational background?
Mittali Sethi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) and a Master’s degree in Orthodontics. She practiced as an orthodontist before preparing for the UPSC exam.
3. How many attempts did Mittali Sethi take to clear the UPSC exam?
Mittali Sethi cleared the UPSC CSE in her third attempt in 2016, after failing to pass the Preliminary stage in her first two attempts.
4. What is Mittali Sethi’s current posting?
As of March 11, 2025, Mittali Sethi is serving as the Director at Vanamati in Nagpur, Maharashtra, focusing on rural development and agricultural extension management.
5. What inspired Mittali Sethi to join the IAS?
Mittali’s participation in a youth camp in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, organized by NIRMAN, inspired her to pursue a career in civil services. The experience exposed her to social issues and ignited her desire to make a broader societal impact.
6. What are Mittali Sethi’s key contributions as an IAS officer?
Mittali has worked on child nutrition, tribal development, education, and sanitation in her postings in Melghat and Chandrapur. She emphasizes community collaboration and data-driven governance.
7. Is Mittali Sethi active on social media?
Yes, Mittali Sethi is active on platforms like Twitter (
@MittaliSethiIAS
) and maintains a blog, Living the Writeful Way, where she shares insights on her life, career, and experiences.8. What is Mittali Sethi’s optional subject for UPSC Mains?
Mittali Sethi chose Psychology as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains, scoring 302 marks in the subject.
9. How does Mittali Sethi balance her personal and professional life?
Mittali balances her IAS career with her role as a mother to twins, born in 2022. She uses writing and reading as outlets to maintain her personal growth and well-being.
10. What advice does Mittali Sethi give to UPSC aspirants?
Mittali advises aspirants to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks, and focus on open-ended learning. She emphasizes the importance of unlearning societal norms and supporting others in pursuing their dreams.
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