From the daughter of a bus conductor in Kanyakumari to a former machine learning engineer from Bengaluru, the 77th batch of RR probationary Indian police officers epitomizes both diversity and determination. This year’s cohort graduating from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), with 35.63% women police officers, the highest in the last five years, represents a significant step towards inclusiveness in police leadership in the country.
Over the past four years, the percentage of female officers has ranged between 20% and 29%, so this year’s figure is exceptional. The batch also reflects a mix of education and professional background: 50% are engineers, 20% from science streams and 17% from arts, with more than half having previous work experience.
For Ashwini S., the journey to IPS began in the lanes of Kanyakumari. The daughter of a bus conductor, an engineer from Anna University, she used to work in the GST department in Tamil Nadu.
IPS Exam Commissioner Ashwini S. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
“It was a childhood dream (to join the unit),” said the Tamil Nadu cadre officer, who also received the National Forensic Sciences University award. “Growing up, I saw my father’s tireless hard work and dignity in service. That inspired me to pursue something that directly affects people’s lives.”
Anjit A. Nair, awarded as “Best Trainee Officer”, will conduct the parade on 17th October. The Kerala native and mathematics graduate said his father was in the Indian Army and growing up seeing him serve the country, he now wants to serve the people better.
“Not only my father, you admire different traits in different people, I take inspiration from some traits of my father, some of my mother, some of my teachers too,” said Mr. Nair, who will join the Tamil Nadu squad.
IPS Examining Commissioner Anjit A. Nayar. , Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Telangana’s squad this year includes four officers from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand, each with their own story of transition and purpose.
Rahul Kant, a computer science graduate from IIT Guwahati and former machine learning engineer at Ola in Bengaluru, traded corporate comfort for public service. “In technology, I realized that the real decision-making rests with senior management,” he said. “The tipping point for me was watching the movie Article 15. It made me rethink what it really meant and that’s when I decided to join the civil service.”
IPS Exam Commissioner Rahul Kant. , Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
A native of Patna, Mr. Kant now hopes to tackle cybercrime through better detection and citizen awareness.
For Ayasha Fatima, an electrical engineer from Indore and a native of Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, joining this record-breaking group is symbolic. “With more women in the police, inclusivity improves on both sides, for officers and citizens,” she said.
IPS Exam Commissioner Ayasha Fatima. , Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Her inspiration came early when she met a female assistant sub-inspector on a visit to her father’s school. “The human connection that this job offers is what really got me on this journey.”
Mandhare Soham Sunil, an IPS probationer from Maharashtra, who has been allotted the Telangana cadre, said that he is positive and excited to join the Telangana Police. “The use of technology, the human resource capabilities… I have heard a lot of positive things about them. This is actually my first job, but I was part of the Indian Revenue Service earlier,” said Mr. Sunil.
IPS Exam Commissioner Mandhare Soham Sunil. , Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
A mechanical engineer from the University of Pune, he credits his leap from engineering to policing to public service. “In engineering, it’s a private sector, we don’t have the opportunity to deal with the public directly. In police work, you sit in a place where people come with grievances, you solve them, which brings various satisfactions. That’s something I was looking for,” he added.
Meanwhile, Manisha Nehra from Jhunjhuna in Rajasthan is the first woman from her family to become an officer. A Mathematics Honors graduate from Delhi’s Hansraj College, she completed her post-graduation in Geography and broke through the civilian ranks to join the Telangana Police as an IPS officer.
IPS Exam Commissioner Manisha Nehra. , Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
“I have been in Telangana for the last 10 months and we used to go on field visits to some police stations in the city to learn a few things, first hand. There is a lot of emphasis on practical training and the police are highly professional,” Ms Nehra said.
Published – 15 Oct 2025 20:56 IST
