YOUNG ALUMNUS/ALUMNA ACHIEVER AWARDEE 2026
Ms. Ashima Mittal, IAS, is currently serving as the District Collector and District Magistrate of Jalna, Maharashtra.
After completing her B.Tech. from IIT Bombay, where she was awarded the prestigious Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal for overall excellence, she went on to pursue her master’s degrees in Anthropology and Public Administration, along with a Diploma in Law. Her multidisciplinary academic foundation combines technical precision, administrative insight, and socio-cultural understanding in addressing complex governance challenges.
A 2018 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, Ms. Mittal began her field journey in Ahmednagar during district training, working across municipal, taluka, and sub-divisional roles with a focus on school quality, sanitation, and service delivery. As Assistant Collector and Project Officer, ITDP, Dhanu, she was closely involved in COVID-19 management, land acquisition for the Mumbai–Delhi Expressway, promotion of tourism, and strengthening tribal rights, with a strong emphasis on educational empowerment.
As CEO, Zilla Parishad Nashik, she led outcome-driven reforms in maternal and child health and education at scale, particularly in tribal regions, strengthening delivery systems through disciplined execution and partnerships. Currently, as District Collector & District Magistrate, Jalna, she is focused on visible civic improvements, inclusive urban governance, and technology-led citizen service delivery, including GIS-enabled land governance and secure digital records.
Her contributions at the district level have translated into measurable impact. In Nashik, a large-scale mother child health drive improved care and nutrition follow-up for approximately 81,330 pregnant and lactating mothers and infants annually, significantly reducing low birth weight rates from 31.2% to 11.2%, and improving mortality indicators (IMR: 7 > 6 > 5.6; CDR: 9 > 7 > 6.6). Through the RBSTS App, over two lakh school children benefited from early disease detection and coordinated follow-up between education and health departments.
The E-Pashu initiative digitised veterinary services for over 13.85 lakh animals and nearly one lakh farmers, including 12.34 lakh+ vaccinations and 25,578 artificial insemination (AI) records digitised, earning the Nexus of Good 2025 Award. Mission Bhagirathi Prayas strengthened water security in 102 water-scarce villages through 307 check dams, receiving national recognition through the SKOCH Award (selected from 300 projects nationally). Digital education initiatives reached over 13 lakh rural students, including the distribution of 2,200 tablets and the launch of a CS Hackathon to promote problem-solving and coding skills, while infrastructure upgrades across 650 schools improved learning environments.
Additional initiatives included early detection of high-risk pregnancies through Neo Docs Wellness testing across 125+ health centres, with 15,000 tests conducted among 5,600 pregnant women, identifying 108 GDM cases, 1,183 high blood pressure cases, and 1,421 UTI cases; Mission Atmanirbhar for Divyang children benefiting 2,586 students; the Super 50 residential coaching programme for rural aspirants preparing for JEE/NEET/CET; and technology platforms in Jalna such as My Jalna App, JalnaMitra, AgriPath, BhuDrishti GIS, and blockchain-linked NA Sanads to enhance transparency and reduce citizen burden. Solid waste management in Jalna moved from planning to execution through a PPP model with an MoU signed and plant work commencing marking tangible progress in urban cleanliness.
xChild-centric governance was further strengthened through the “Bal-Snehhi Anganwadi” model implemented in 70 anganwadis, with the district receiving the Bal Snehi Award for two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023–24). A large-scale Spelling Bee initiative involving 11,000 students strengthened English confidence and was recorded in the India & Asia Book of Records.
Apart from receiving the Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal from IIT Bombay for outstanding overall excellence in B.Tech. (Civil Engineering), her work has received multiple recognitions at the state and national levels, closely aligned with the outcomes delivered on the ground.
In 2024, she received the Goda Samman Award in recognition of exemplary administrative leadership and innovative public service initiatives in the Nashik district. The Government of Maharashtra (Rural Development Department) issued a Certificate of Appreciation for securing 1st Rank in Maharashtra under the National Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, recognising the best overall performance and governance outcomes by Nashik Zilla Parishad.
She was also recognised by the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra for the Nashik district, achieving the highest student participation (district category) in the State-level Essay Competition based on the life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, with the felicitation held at Raj Bhavan. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Maharashtra, appreciated the district administration for achieving 100% electrification of 3,030 Anganwadi centres in Nashik district, which was subsequently adopted as a best-practice model for replication across the state. Under the Chief Minister’s 100-Day Office Reform Programme, Nashik Zilla Parishad was recognised among the top-performing districts in Maharashtra.
In 2025, she received the SKOCH Award (National Level) for the flagship Mission Bhagirathi Prayas, for its focus on water conservation and drought mitigation through sustainable infrastructure development. She was also conferred the “Be the Change” Award in recognition of leadership-driven, people-centric governance and measurable social impact initiatives.
She was awarded the Dr. S. S. Gadkari Annual Memorial Award for Innovation in Public Administration by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (Maharashtra) for transformative governance reforms and scalable innovations implemented at Zilla Parishad Nashik. Additionally, the Nexus of Good Award 2025 was conferred upon her for the E-Pashu initiative implemented in Nashik, benefiting around 13.85 lakh animals and 98,832 farmers.
Interests & Hobbies: I have always been curious about how technology can be used to solve real world challenges, and I am particularly interested in exploring how emerging tools can improve public systems and everyday services. I enjoy constantly learning new skills and ideas that help me grow and stay adaptable. Outside of work, I like playing badminton and table tennis, and spending time with strategy-based board games, which give me both a refreshing break and a chance to sharpen focus and strategic thinking.
A Personal Note: Not too long ago, I was a student at IIT Bombay navigating the intense pressure of the labs, the late-night discussions in the hostels, and that familiar, burning desire to make a mark on the world. IIT Bombay didn’t just give me a degree; it gave me the grit to face any challenge with a problem-solving mindset.
Today, as I serve as the District Collector of Jalna, my “lab” is the district, and my “variables” are the lives of millions. I’ve realised that while technical brilliance is a powerful tool, it is your values that will define your impact.
If I could share three guiding principles for your journey, they would be:
– Lead with Integrity, Serve with Heart: Whether you are building the next AI breakthrough or leading a team, never lose sight of the why. Excellence without integrity is hollow. Use your intellect not just for personal gain, but as a bridge to solve the real-world problems—like leveraging AgriTech to empower farmers or using technology to make governance more transparent.
– The Pursuit is Relentless: You will face setbacks. There will be days when the “output” doesn’t match the “input.” In those moments, remember: every challenge is an opportunity, and every setback is a lesson. Own your power and keep moving forward.
– Growth is Multidimensional: Don’t let your identity be defined solely by your rank or your CTC. Be a lifelong learner. Whether it’s picking up a musical instrument, practicing yoga to find your centre, or diving into a law degree to understand the framework of our society—keep growing. A well-rounded leader is a more resilient leader.
You belong to a legacy of excellence. But remember, the true measure of your success won’t be the awards you collect, but the impact and inspiration you leave behind.
I am relentless in my pursuit of excellence— and I hope you will be, too.
Special Memories of IIT Bombay
The campus culture of intellectual rigour, innovation, and problem solving sharpened my analytical mindset, and the constant push to apply knowledge to real world challenges continues to guide my work even now. Long hours in the Civil Engineering labs added something equally lasting: a practical, detail-oriented way of looking at problems— understanding the system, respecting the basics, and getting the execution right.
One of my proudest IITB chapters was founding the Thinkers Lab as part of the STAB overall coordinator team. Watching a small idea grow into a vibrant innovation space taught me a simple truth I still believe in: meaningful change often starts small—when initiative meets consistency, and the right people come together.
And then there were the moments that made campus feel like home. H10 hostel life—with its celebrations, corridor laughter, and effortless friendships—was as real as it was unforgettable. The legendary “night before exams” gatherings were chaotic and funny, but they left behind a serious skill: focus under pressure, cutting through noise, and delivering when timelines are tight.
My days often began on the basketball court—tough coach, rigorous routine, and the discipline of showing up early, whether you felt like it or not. Even now, that lesson stays: consistency beats motivation. And after long days, Maddu Mess evenings with friends brought the perfect balance— simple conversations that reminded you that you weren’t doing it alone.
