Famous IPS Officers in India – List of Top 10 IPS Officers and Their Contributions

Famous IPS officers in India have shaped law enforcement through fearless investigations, crisis management, and reforms that bolster national security and public safety. Their contributions span high-profile cases, counter-terrorism operations, and community policing innovations, inspiring countless UPSC aspirants aiming for the Indian Police Service. This article highlights the top 10 IPS officers, detailing their remarkable achievements and lasting impact on India’s policing landscape.

Famous IPS Officers in India Overview

Indian Police Service officers exemplify courage and dedication, tackling organized crime, terrorism, and social challenges across diverse terrains. Their roles demand strategic leadership, rapid decision-making, and ethical governance, often under intense public scrutiny. The table below summarizes key aspects of their prominence and influence.​

To 10 Famous IPS Officers in India List

The following are some of the famous IPS officers of India, who are revered by people around the country.

Ajit Kumar Dhoval  (20-01-1945)

Ajit Dhoval is a Kerala cadre IPS officer of the 1968 batch, who currently serves as the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India.

Known as the ‘Spymaster of India’, Mr Dhoval served as the director of Intelligence Bureau in 2004-05. He served as an undercover agent in Pakistan during his stint in IB. 

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He was involved in many anti-insurgency operations in Punjab, Kashmir, north-east India etc. He also played an important role in Sikkim’s merger with India.

Dhoval was the youngest to receive the Police Medal for meritorious service. He was the first police officer to receive Kirti Chakra, which is usually reserved for military service.

Kiran Bedi (09-06-1949)

Kiran Bedi, the First female IPS officer of India, joined the service in 1972. She is renowned for her bold choices and changes and is considered a pioneer in Indian police work.  Kiran Bedi is India’s first woman IPS officer. She belonged to the AGMUT cadre of the 1972 batch. Kiran Bedi initiated many prison reforms during her tenure as Inspector General of Prisons in Tihar Jail, proving that she was an able administrator.

She was at the forefront of campaigns against drug abuse and alcoholism. Post her retirement, she took up social activism by joining the India Against Corruption Movement. She was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay award for her contribution to society.

D Roopa (12-07-1975)

D Roopa is a whistle-blower IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre. She exposed corruption in the prison system and the preferential treatment provided to AIADMK interim General Secretary, V K Sasikala.

Roopa has advocated for transparency and accountability in the police force. She has taken on local politicians and also superior officers of the department. For her exemplary service, she was awarded the President’s Police Medal.

Sanjukta Parashar (03-10-1979)

Called the “Iron Lady of Assam”, Parashar had launched an action against Bodo Militants while leading the counter-insurgency movement in Assam’s interior areas. She belongs to the 2006 batch of the Assam cadre.

She also headed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the March 7 blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has honoured her for her immense contribution in the field of woman empowerment.

Narendra Kumar (1979 to 2012)

Mr Kumar was an  IPS officer from the 2009 batch, belonging to the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He is Known for his bravery and dedication, by initiating crackdown on illegal mining operations.

He was martyred on duty while confronting the sand mafia in the Morena district of the state.

Hemant Karkare (12-12-1954 to 26-11-2008)

Mr Karkare belonged to the Maharashtra cadre of 1982 IPS batch. He was the chief of Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad when he was martyred during the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks.

He previously served in many positions in the government, the famous being an agent of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Austria.

He was posthumously honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration. 

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K Vijay Kumar (15-09-1952)

K Vijay Kumar belongs to the 1965 batch of the Tamil Nadu cadre. He is well-known for heading ‘Operation Cocoon’, which was launched to capture forest brigand Veerappan.

He has also served as the director of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad and also the Director-general of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 

He has extensive experience in jungle warfare, having undertaken multiple operations in this difficult terrain. Post his retirement, he served as a senior advisor in the Ministry of Home Affairs on issues related to Left Wing Extremism.

K Annamalai (04-06-1984)

Mr Annamalai was a 2011-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre. He was called as ‘Singham of Karnataka Police’ for his working style.

He served as the police superintendent of Chikkamagaluru and Udupi districts and was also the deputy police commissioner in Bengaluru (south).

After his resignation from service in 2019, he joined the BJP and is currently the President of Tamil Nadu unit of the party.

Shivdeep Waman Lande (29-08-1976)

A Bihar cadre IPS officer of the 2006 batch, Mr Lande is widely admired for his strict enforcement of law and order. He has worked to curb the medicine mafia, illegal wine shops and also took steps to eliminate mafia gangs in Bihar.

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