Kashish Mittal is a former IAS officer and accomplished professional whose unconventional career path—from IIT Delhi to the Indian Civil Services, then Microsoft, and now an AI startup—has recently gained widespread attention due to a trending LinkedIn profile and a viral singing video.
He graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Delhi in 2010, securing an exceptional All India Rank (AIR) of 6 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), one of India’s most competitive exams. Shortly after, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his first attempt, securing AIR 58, and joined the 2011 batch of IAS officers under the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territory) cadre.
During his tenure as an IAS officer, Mittal served in various administrative roles but resigned in 2019, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with a transfer posting to Arunachal Pradesh.
Following his resignation, he shifted careers to the technology sector and joined Microsoft as a Principal Research Program Manager, where he worked for nearly five years until early 2025. In March 2025, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by launching Disha AI, an artificial intelligence startup.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mittal is also a trained Hindustani classical singer. A video of him performing a soulful classical melody recently went viral, garnering over 600,000 views in just three days.
Alongside this, a screenshot of his LinkedIn profile has sparked admiration online, showcasing a profile that reflects success across prestigious examinations and top-tier roles in government and technology. Many social media users have commented on the pressures of traditional Indian career paths and noted how Mittal’s journey challenges conventional norms.
Mittal’s story stands out as an example of defying expectations by excelling academically, serving in government, leading in the tech industry, and pursuing creative passions, while taking the risk to become an entrepreneur. His multidimensional achievements resonate with a new generation of Indians who aspire to blend professional excellence with personal passion, breaking free from conventional career molds.
