Dr. Ismat Mehdi, A Hyderabadi, Ismat Mehdi, studied in Mahbubia Girls School. She studied French in the University of Geneva and Poitiers, German in Goethe Institut, Munich, and Arabic in the College of Arts and Science, Baghdad. She taught these languages in the Osmania University Colleges, Hyderabad from I962 – 1967.
From 1991 – 1995, Ismat Mehdi was deputed to the Embassy of India, Cairo, Egypt, as First Secretary Culture and Director of the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture.
Widely travelled, Ismat Mehdi is associated with many cultural organizations in Hyderabad.
Now retired from CIEFL/EFLU, she is the managing trustee of Sarvodaya International Trust A.P. Chapter. Its aim is to propagate the ideals and values of Mahatama Gandhi among the youth. She is also involved in inter faith dialogue and is the Muslim member of the team from India to the United States Presbyterian Meets.