Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS Wife: Shraddha Joshi IPS Biography, UPSC Rank, Career & Inspiring Story

Detail	Information
Film Title	12th Fail
Release Year	2023
Director	Vidhu Vinod Chopra (renowned filmmaker)
Lead Actor	Vikrant Massey
Source Material	Book “Twelfth Fail” by Anurag Pathak
Film Genre	Biographical Drama
Language	Hindi
Storyline	Manoj Kumar Sharma’s rise from 12th grade failure to IPS officer
Critical Reception	Widespread critical acclaim

Detailed Biography Section

Early Life & Humble Beginnings (1975-1993)

The Bilgaon Village Background

Manoj Kumar Sharma’s story begins in the rural, economically disadvantaged village of Bilgaon, located in Morena district of Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh. Chambal has historically been notorious for dacoity and organized crime, making it one of India’s most crime-ridden regions. Growing up in such an environment, young Manoj witnessed poverty, illiteracy, and limited opportunities firsthand.

The village of Bilgaon presented multiple challenges:

• Limited educational infrastructure
• No quality schools or coaching centers
• Economic hardship affecting most families
• Limited career guidance available
• Social stigma of rural background

Family Environment

His family, like many in the region, struggled with financial constraints. Despite these hardships, his parents believed in the transformative power of education. They encouraged young Manoj to study, even when it meant sacrificing basic necessities.

Family Values:

• Strong emphasis on education
• Belief in honest hard work
• Respect for learning and books
• Determination to break poverty cycle
• Support despite limited resources

Early Schooling (Primary Education)

At the local school in Bilgaon, young Manoj showed promise. His teachers recognized his potential, and his parents ensured he attended school regularly despite the challenges. The early years were marked by:

• Simple, basic education at local school
• Walking long distances to reach school
• Studying with minimal resources
• Natural curiosity and interest in learning
• Teachers’ encouragement and support

Early Success:

• Completed 8th grade successfully
• Average performance but consistent effort
• Building foundation for higher studies
• Growing confidence in academic abilities

Educational Struggles & Challenges (1993-2004)

The Maharani Lakshmi Bai College Years

By 9th and 10th grades, Manoj’s family made a significant decision. They sent him to Maharani Lakshmi Bai Government College of Excellence in Gwalior, a more prestigious institution about 150 km away from his village. This move required enormous sacrifice:

Sacrifice Involved:

• Boarding away from family
• Monthly school fees (significant burden)
• Travel and accommodation costs
• Emotional distance from parents
• Pressure to perform academically

The 12th Grade Failure – Life’s Turning Point (1993)

The pivotal moment came during his 12th grade board exams. Despite preparation and effort, Manoj failed. This failure would haunt him but later define him.

Impact of Failure:

Immediate Consequences:

• Shame and embarrassment at school/village
• Family disappointment and concern
• Self-doubt about academic capabilities
• Questions about future possibilities
• Societal judgment and negative comments

Psychological Impact:

• Deep introspection about life direction
• Motivation analysis: why did he fail?
• Re-evaluation of goals and capabilities
• Renewed determination to succeed
• Mental strength building through adversity

Silver Lining:

• Realization that failure ≠ end of story
• Understanding importance of persistence
• Learning to handle rejection and disappointment
• Building psychological resilience
• Clarifying his true aspirations

Post-12th: College Education (1993-1997)

After failing 12th grade, Manoj took a crucial decision: he would restart his studies. Rather than accepting defeat, he prepared for repeat exams and eventually joined college.

College Education Path:

• Joined Bachelor of Arts program
• Selected subjects: Hindi and History
• Duration: 3 years (approximately 1993-1996 or later)
• Performance: Good and focused
• Extra-curricular: Limited information available

Why Hindi and History?

These subjects proved strategically important:

• Rich Indian historical context
• Hindi language advantage in Hindi-medium UPSC
• Both subjects aligned with future UPSC optional choice
• Historical knowledge foundation for administration
• Natural interest in these humanities

UPSC Preparation Journey (1997-2004)

Post-Graduation: The Struggle Years

After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree, Manoj faced critical years. He was now in his early 20s, with limited resources but enormous ambitions. The journey from college to IPS was extraordinarily difficult.

The Four UPSC Attempts

First Attempt (approximately 1999):

• Age: ~24 years
• Preparation: Self-study, limited coaching
• Challenges: Financial constraints, limited resources
• Result: Not qualified/Didn’t reach mains
• Lesson: Understood exam complexity

Second Attempt (approximately 2001):

• Age: ~26 years
• Preparation: More focused, self-taught
• Challenges: Poverty, multiple jobs, emotional strain
• Result: Not qualified
• Lesson: Realized need for better strategy

Third Attempt (approximately 2003):

• Age: ~28 years
• Preparation: Intensive, while working
• Challenges: Working as tempo driver, sleeping on streets
• Result: Not qualified
• Lesson: Perseverance being tested
• Status: Near-breaking point, considering giving up

Fourth Attempt (2004):

• Age: ~29 years
• Preparation: Most focused and determined
• Challenges: Multiple jobs, poverty, family pressure
• Result: Success – Rank 121
• Lesson: Persistence pays off
• Outcome: Selection in Indian Police Service (IPS)

The Struggles During Preparation

The journey during these 5-6 years was marked by extraordinary hardship:

Economic Hardship:

• Worked as a tempo (three-wheeler auto-rickshaw) driver
• Drove vehicles for daily wages
• Earned minimum income for survival
• Could barely afford quality coaching
• Shared rooms with other aspirants to save costs

Physical Hardship:

• Slept on streets during peak preparation
• Couldn’t afford consistent housing
• Ate minimal, basic food
• Faced health challenges due to poverty
• Physical fatigue from manual labor + studies

Work Schedule:

• Drove tempo during day for income
• Studied during nights and early mornings
• Managed 4-5 hours of sleep
• Weekends dedicated to studies
• Sacrificed social life and entertainment

Psychological Struggle:

• Repeated failures causing self-doubt
• Family questioning decision to continue
• Societal pressure to abandon “unrealistic” dreams
• Financial insecurity and stress
• Questioning if success was possible

Social Challenges:

• Stigma of being a tempo driver
• Judgment from society about “failed” background
• Isolation from peers moving forward
• Loneliness in the struggle
• Limited support system

Turning Point & Success (2004-2005)

After years of struggle, persistence finally paid off. In 2004, Manoj cleared the Civil Services Examination with Rank 121. This achievement meant:

Immediate Outcomes:

• Selection in Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Acceptance into prestigious service
• End of financial uncertainty
• Validation of years of sacrifice
• New chapter of life beginning

Notification & Commissioning:

• Year: 2005
• Batch: 2005 IPS batch
• Cadre: Maharashtra Police
• Training: National Police Academy
• Status: Probationary officer

Key Career Milestones (2005-2025)

Phase 1: Training & Foundation (2005-2007)

National Police Academy Training:

• Duration: 2 years (standard for IPS)
• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
• Focus: Police administration, law, criminal procedure
• Physical training and discipline
• Exposure to modern policing practices

First Posting:

• After training, posted to Maharashtra Police
• Initial position: Junior IPS officer
• Responsibilities: Operational duties
• Learning ground-level policing

Phase 2: Rising Through Ranks (2007-2015)

Early Career (2007-2010):

• Positions: ASP, SI, or Inspector-level postings
• Focus: Law and order, crime investigation
• Building operational expertise
• Earning field experience

Mid-Career (2010-2015):

• Various postings across Maharashtra
• Specialized training and certifications
• Management roles and supervisory positions
• Promotion trajectory established

Phase 3: Senior Management (2015-2020)

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) – Zone-I, Mumbai (2015-2018):

• Responsible for central Mumbai law and order
• Multiple police stations under supervision
• Crime control and prevention initiatives
• Community policing focus
• 3 years of successful management

Additional Commissioner – West Region (2018-2020):

• Promoted to higher administrative position
• Managed multiple zones in western suburbs
• Regional-level policy implementation
• 2 years of expanded responsibility
• Preparation for flag officer rank

Phase 4: National & State Level (2020-Present)

Inspector General – CISF (2020-2023):

• Deputation to Central Industrial Security Force
• National-level security responsibilities
• Managing industrial security operations
• 3 years at national paramilitary level

Inspector General (L&O) – Maharashtra Police (2024-Present):

• Current position since March 2024
• State-wide law and order authority
• Under state chief secretary and home minister
• Highest police rank in Maharashtra
• 1+ year in current position

Landmark Projects & Achievements

1. Enhanced Community Policing (2015-2018 as DCP)

Initiative: Neighborhood policing program in Zone-I, Mumbai

Objective:

• Reduce gap between police and community
• Increase public trust in police
• Better crime prevention through cooperation
• Improved responsiveness to citizens

Implementation:

• Beat officers visiting neighborhoods regularly
• Community meetings and awareness programs
• Youth engagement initiatives
• Senior citizen support programs

Results:

• Improved community-police relations
• Crime rate reduction in zone
• Public satisfaction increase
• Model adopted in other zones

2. Crime Prevention Programs (2018-2020 as Additional Commissioner)

Initiative: West Region crime reduction strategy

Focus Areas:

• Street crime prevention
• Cybercrime awareness
• Women safety programs
• Anti-narcotics operations

Achievements:

• Successful crime investigations
• Criminal arrests and prosecution
• Public safety improvement
• Regional coordination

3. CISF Leadership (2020-2023)

Responsibilities:

• Managed industrial and critical infrastructure security
• Oversaw thousands of CISF personnel
• Implemented security protocols
• National-level operational decisions

Contributions:

• Improved security effectiveness
• Personnel management and training
• Policy formulation and implementation
• Inter-agency coordination

4. Current Maharashtra L&O Administration (2024-Present)

Focus Areas:

• State-wide law and order strategy
• Police modernization initiatives
• Crime prevention and investigation
• Public safety enhancement
• Police-community relations improvement

Conclusion:

Legacy and future vision The manoj kumar sharma ips wife, Shraddha Joshi Sharma, stands as a beacon of empowered womanhood in Indian civil services. Her legacy, alongside manoj kumar sharma, reminds every dreamer that love, hard work, and service can rewrite destinies. Her story will continue inspiring generations.

Read More: Vishwas Nangare Patil,anshika verma ips , srushti deshmukh age 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Manoj Kumar Sharma’s Current Position?

Answer: Manoj Kumar Sharma is currently serving as the Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) of the Maharashtra Police, a position he has held since March 2024. This is the highest police position in Maharashtra state, giving him authority over state-wide law and order operations.

Q2: Who is Manoj Kumar Sharma’s Wife?

Answer: Manoj Kumar Sharma married Shraddha Joshi Sharma, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. Shraddha is a high-ranking government officer in her own right and a Uttarakhand topper. They are considered a power couple in Indian civil services.

Q3: How Many Children Does He Have?

Answer: They have two children, a daughter named Manushree and a son, Manas. The family lives together in Mumbai.

Q4: What is His UPSC Rank?

Answer: Manoj Kumar Sharma achieved Rank 121 in the Civil Services Examination. This rank was achieved on his fourth attempt at the UPSC exam.

Q5: Did He Really Fail 12th Grade?

Answer: Yes, his academic path encountered an unforeseen obstacle during the 12th grade exams. However, he went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree and eventually became an IPS officer.

Q6: When Was He Commissioned as IPS Officer?

Answer: Manoj Kumar Sharma became an officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS) as part of the 2005 batch, and was assigned to the Maharashtra cadre.

Q7: Is There a Film Based on His Life?

Answer: His journey from poverty to becoming an IPS officer was chronicled in Anurag Pathak’s book Twelfth Fail, which was later adapted into the film 12th Fail (2023). The film was directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and features Vikrant Massey as Sharma.

Q8: How Many Times Did He Attempt UPSC?

Answer: After several unsuccessful attempts at the Civil Services Examination, he finally succeeded on his fourth attempt, securing rank 121.

Q9: Where Was He Born and Where Is He From?

Answer: Manoj Kumar Sharma was born on 3 July 1975 in Chambal, Madhya Pradesh, India. He grew up in Bilgaon, a village in the Morena district of Chambal.

Q10: What Are His Educational Qualifications?

Answer: Following his early education at a local school, Sharma successfully progressed through the eighth grade and later pursued his studies at Maharani Lakshmi Bai Government College of Excellence in Gwalior. Subsequently, he gained a B.A. in Hindi and History.

Explore more blogs at: Pavan Datta IAS