Alka's musical career began at the age of six, when she started interpreting devotional songs for Calcutta Radio. She came to Mumbai at the age of 10, along with her mother to try her luck as a child singer. Eminent music directors 'Kalyanji Veerji Shah' . Besides Hindi-language songs, she has also sung in Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Punjabi.
Younger brother is singer Samir Yagnik.
Niece is singer Garima Yagnik.