[11] Mishra began his career as a development worker in the southern districts of Jharkhand state influenced by Deep Joshi of PRADAN.
[13] A bio-terrorism expert, Mishra has also shared his expertise during talks[14] at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analyses, India's research body of the army.
Mishra has done some grass root innovations in water conservation, maize cultivation and small-scale irrigation for local farmers in southern districts of Jharkhand, along with members of International Water Management Institute[15] He along with other pioneers introduced System of Rice Intensification in many parts of Jharkhand and Orissa at a grassroot level.
[16] He had previously worked with The Times Group, The Statesman and The Indian Express, reporting on economic, financial, political and social issues.
In 2004, Mishra, along with journalists Satya Nayak, Subhanker Behera, and business person Sanjay Hans launched India First[17] news weekly, which was his only entrepreneurial venture so far.