Saree-clad IPS Ankita Sharma’s AK-47 firing video sparks debate; she failed UPSC twice before securing AIR 203 on her third attempt. (Photo: X post)
From struggling with mathematics in school to becoming an IPS officer, Ankita Sharma’s journey has been marked by setbacks, persistence and a career in policing. The Chhattisgarh-cadre officer is back in the spotlight after a video of her firing an AK-47 during Dussehra’s traditional weapon worship ceremony went viral on social media.IPS officer Ankita Sharma has drawn attention after a video showed her firing an AK-47 during a Dussehra event at the police lines in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. Dressed in a saree, Sharma performed the traditional shastra puja before firing nine rounds into the air, according to reports.The video received mixed reactions online. While some users praised her confidence, others raised concerns about firearm safety and the appropriateness of firing outside a designated shooting range.
The discussion has brought renewed attention to the officer, who is known for her policing work in Chhattisgarh.
Who is ?
Ankita Sharma belongs to the 2018 batch of the Indian Police Service and is a Chhattisgarh-cadre officer. She is popularly referred to as ‘Lady Singham’ because of her public image and policing style.Originally from Durg district in Chhattisgarh, Sharma completed her schooling in the region before pursuing graduation and postgraduation in Bhilai.
She studied at St Xavier’s School in Durg and went on to build an academic record that improved significantly after her early school years.Her journey is often cited as an example of perseverance, particularly because her initial experiences with mathematics were far from impressive.
From scoring 5 marks in Maths to academic success
Sharma reportedly scored just 5 out of 50 marks in mathematics in Class 5 and had to appear for a supplementary examination. She later described herself as an average student during her early school years.Things began to change in Class 9, when she chose commerce and became more focused on her studies. She went on to score 92% in her Class 10 examinations and 90% in Class 12.After completing her education, Sharma enrolled in an MBA programme. However, her ambition to join the civil services led her to leave the course and concentrate on preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.
Two UPSC setbacks before securing AIR 203
Sharma’s journey through the UPSC examination involved two unsuccessful attempts. In her first attempt, she reportedly missed the next stage of selection by 15 marks in the mains examination. In her second attempt, she could not clear the preliminary examination.Instead of giving up, she reassessed her preparation strategy and continued working towards her goal. In her third attempt, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2018 with All India Rank (AIR) 203 and entered the Indian Police Service.Her selection marked a major turning point, taking her from civil services aspirant to police officer.
Policing career and future responsibilities
Sharma began her career with a posting in Bhatapara and later served as a City Superintendent of Police in Raipur’s Azad Chowk area. In May 2022, she was appointed Superintendent of Police in Khairagarh, becoming the district’s first woman SP, according to reports.She has also been associated with policing operations in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, where security and law enforcement remain significant challenges.Her recent appearance during the Dussehra weapon worship ceremony has once again placed her in the public eye. While the viral video has prompted debate over firearm safety, her professional journey—from academic struggles and two UPSC setbacks to securing AIR 203—offers a separate account of persistence in the pursuit of a career in public service.Disclaimer: Details about IPS Ankita Sharma’s academic journey and the recent Dussehra firing incident are based on media reports and have not been independently verified by TOI Education.