In a country where cracking the JEE and UPSC exams is seen as the pinnacle of success, Kashish Mittal has done both—and moved beyond. From being an IIT Delhi graduate (JEE AIR 6) and 2011-batch IAS officer to becoming the co-founder of a cutting-edge AI startup, Disha AI, Mittal’s remarkable transformation is now the talk of the internet.
What truly set the internet ablaze, though, was a viral video of him singing a soulful Hindustani classical piece, “Unke Andaz-e-Karam.” With over 6 lakh views in just 3 days, the video has catapulted him into social media fame—not just for his voice, but for the incredible journey behind it.
From Academic Genius to Administrator
An All India Rank 6 in JEE led him to IIT Delhi, where he studied Computer Science. Not stopping there, he ranked 58 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam and joined the prestigious IAS, serving in the AGMUT cadre.
Exit from IAS: A Bold Decision
Mittal shocked many by resigning from IAS in 2019, allegedly due to dissatisfaction over his posting in Arunachal Pradesh. But rather than sticking to a high-status role, he followed his calling.
Microsoft to Disha AI
After leaving the bureaucracy, he joined Microsoft as a Principal Research Program Manager, where he spent five years before launching Disha AI in March 2025—aiming to shape the future with Artificial Intelligence.
A Singer at Heart
Trained in Hindustani classical music, Kashish Mittal is not just a tech entrepreneur and former bureaucrat—he’s also an artist. His now-viral performance has inspired lakhs, showing that excellence can span across diverse passions.
A Modern Indian Inspiration
Social media is flooded with admiration. From academic brilliance to public service, from tech innovation to music—Mittal has done it all. His life proves that it’s okay to choose your own path, no matter how unconventional.