A postgraduate in History and an LLB from Delhi University, MPhil from University of Madras and an MBA in Public Service from the University of Birmingham, UK, Alka is currently the Principal Controller Def Academy (Air Force) at Dehradun. She has worked closely with several educational, defense, scientific and security-related Government and Autonomous organizations in various capacities with the core responsibility of administration and finance. A sports enthusiast and trained mountaineer, she has participated in several expeditions in the Indian Himalayas.