Trailblazer in a Saree: Meet IAS Vishakha Yadav, Who Welcomed PM Modi in Arunachal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh turned the spotlight on a young and dynamic IAS officer, Vishakha Yadav, whose poised welcome in Papum Pare district captured national attention.

Key highlights from the visit

- PM Modi arrived in Papum Pare on September 22, 2025, and was greeted by Vishakha Yadav, the district’s Deputy Commissioner  
- Her graceful gesture and dignified presence in a traditional saree quickly went viral, sparking curiosity across social media

Who is Vishakha Yadav?

- Born in Delhi in 1994, Vishakha is the daughter of Rajkumar Yadav, an assistant sub-inspector, and a homemaker mother  
- She graduated in engineering from Delhi Technological University and worked at Cisco in Bengaluru before pursuing her dream of joining the civil services  
- Despite failing twice, she cracked the UPSC exam on her third attempt without coaching, securing an impressive All India Rank 6 with 1,046 out of 2,025 marks

Career milestones

- Vishakha is part of the AGMUT cadre and currently serves as the District Collector of Papum Pare  
- Previously posted in Kurung Kumey, she earned the PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2024 for her innovative digital education initiative, DigiKaksha

Why she’s making headlines

- Her story resonates with aspirants across India: a high-paying job sacrificed for public service, resilience through setbacks, and a commitment to grassroots governance  
- Her warm welcome to PM Modi was not just ceremonial—it symbolized the spirit of empowered leadership in India’s northeast

Sources: MSN India, News24 Online, Navbharat Times, ABP Live