In a testament to her rising star in India’s administrative firmament, Nisha Grewal, a 2021-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as Deputy District Officer (Sadar) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. This latest chapter in her career, announced on March 25, 2025, by Mathura’s District Magistrate CP Singh, sees her stepping into a pivotal role in one of India’s most culturally significant districts. Replacing Rinku Rahi of the 2022 batch, Grewal’s appointment reflects her swift ascent and the trust placed in her capabilities.
Born on April 12, 1998, in Bamla, a modest village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, Nisha Grewal’s story is one of quiet determination and extraordinary triumph. Raised in a middle-class family, she was shaped by the steadfast support of her parents—Surender Grewal, an employee in the Electricity Department, and Promila, a homemaker—and the guiding hand of her grandfather, Ramphal Singh Grewal, a retired mathematics teacher. It was Ramphal who ignited her academic spark, tutoring her through late-night study sessions and instilling a belief that no dream was too big for a village girl with a sharp mind.
Nisha’s academic journey took her from Bhiwani Public School to the hallowed halls of Miranda House, Delhi University, where she graduated with a BA Honours in Political Science in 2019. At just 23, she cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 51 in 2020—a feat that catapulted her into the national spotlight. Her choice of Political Science as an optional subject was no coincidence; it was a reflection of her deep interest in governance and her knack for dissecting complex systems.
Initially allotted to the Bihar cadre, Grewal cut her teeth as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Motihari, where she served for 15 months. There, she tackled grassroots challenges—streamlining public services, resolving land disputes, and engaging with communities in one of Bihar’s toughest terrains. Her transfer to the Uttar Pradesh cadre by the Central Government marked a new phase, and her posting in Mathura now places her at the heart of a district steeped in history and administrative complexity.
What makes Nisha stand out is her blend of intellect and empathy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while preparing for UPSC at home, she devised a study regimen that leaned heavily on NCERT books, standard texts, and online resources—crediting her grandfather’s mentorship for keeping her focused. In Motihari, she earned a reputation for being approachable yet firm, often holding open forums to hear citizens’ grievances directly. Now in Mathura, a district synonymous with Krishna’s legacy and a hub of pilgrimage, her role as DDO (Sadar) will test her ability to balance tradition with modernity.
Grewal’s personal quirks add a layer of charm to her profile. An avid reader of historical fiction, she often draws parallels between past governance models and today’s challenges. She’s also a morning runner, a habit she picked up in Delhi, which she says keeps her grounded amid the chaos of bureaucratic life. Unmarried and fiercely private, she remains rooted to her family, often citing their sacrifices as her driving force.
Her appointment in Mathura isn’t without its hurdles. Sadar Tehsil, with its dense population and intricate socio-economic fabric, demands nuanced leadership. Yet, if her past is any indicator, Nisha Grewal is poised to leave a mark—whether it’s improving administrative efficiency or amplifying the voices of the marginalized.
As she takes charge in Mathura, IAS Nisha Grewal embodies a new generation of civil servants—young, dynamic, and deeply connected to India’s rural pulse. Her journey from Bamla to Mathura is more than a career trajectory; it’s a narrative of breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible.