Famous IPS officers in India are known for their integrity, courage, and transformative reforms in policing. The top 10 famous IPS officers in India include Ajit Dobhal, Kiran Bedi, Julio Ribeiro, R.K Raghavan, Shivdeep Lande, Sanjukta Parashar, Abhay Singh and K. Vijay Kumar.
The Indian Police Service has given many best IPS officers to the country who have made significant contributions to prevent terrorism, human trafficking, extortion and corruption. IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law & order, leading high-risk anti-terror operations, driving major police reforms and safeguarding the nation’s democratic fabric. Over the years, many exceptional IPS officers have earned national recognition for their commitment to serving the nation and uplifting society by preventing crimes. These officers have inspired millions through their courage, intelligence and praiseworthy work.
Some notable examples of the best IPS officers in India are Kiran Bedi, who is the first woman IPS officer of India and has taken initiatives for the Airport Traffic Police unit, education & work opportunities for jail inmates and clean governance. Ajit Doval, who started his journey as an IPS officer and has been serving as the National Security Advisor of India since 2014, has done remarkable work as a spymaster and spent 7 years in Pakistan as an undercover agent to expose Pakistan’s nuclear ventures. He also initiated many rescue operations and saved the lives of many people from the dangers of terrorism, such as the Kandahar hijack and the Tikrit hospital attack. India has witnessed many such talented IPS officers who have made the lives of the public safe, secure and harmonious with their significant contributions.
What is an IPS Officer?
Established in 1948, an IPS officer is a senior-level civil servant in India, recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination to provide leadership to state police forces and central armed police forces. The IPS officers are responsible for maintaining public peace, safety and order. They lead state police forces, command intelligence agencies and head paramilitary forces. The best IPS officers are also responsible for crime detection, investigation, maintaining law & order and national security. Indian Police Service ensures public safety, managing crowds and preventing riots & protests.
List of Top 10 Famous IPS Officers in India with Name
There have been many IPS officers with exceptional courage, integrity and dedication to law enforcement who have often taken on insurgency, corruption and crime. The Best IPS officers in India are known for their integrity, courage, and transformative reforms in policing. The top 10 famous IPS officers in India include Ajit Dobhal, Kiran Bedi, Julio Ribeiro, R.K Raghavan, Shivdeep Lande, Sanjukta Parashar, Abhay Singh and K. Vijay Kumar. Let's have a close look at the list of Top 10 famous IPS officers in India with their notable achievements.
1. Kiran Bedi
Kiran Bedi is the first woman IPS officer in India and one of the most recognized faces of the Indian Police Service. IPS officer Kiran Bedi is best known for her prison reforms at Tihar Jail, where she introduced education, meditation and rehabilitation programs that gave jail inmates opportunities to work upon getting released. IPS Kiran Bedi also initiated anti-drug abuse initiatives and became the first Indian woman to serve as a UN civilian police advisor.
2. Julio Ribeiro
IPS Julio Ribeiro is remembered for his fearless leadership during some of India’s most turbulent times, particularly while handling militancy in Punjab and insurgency in the Northeast. As the Director General of Police in Punjab, Julio Ribeiro played an important role in restoring law & order during the height of terrorism. IPS officer Julio Ribeiro is known for his ‘bullet for bullet’ approach to handling extreme terrorism. In 1987, Julio Ribeiro, IPS, was honoured with the Padma Award for his remarkable work to restore peace.
3. R. K. Raghavan
IPS officer R. K. Raghavan is widely respected for his professionalism and integrity, especially as the former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. CBI Director RK Raghavan is widely respected for investigating the 2002 Gujarat riots, which was later appreciated by the Supreme Court. His career is often stated as an example of non-partisan policing in a politically sensitive environment. RK Raghavan also set up India’s first cybercrime cell and has investigated high-profile cases such as the Priyadarshini Matto murder case and the South Africa match fixing case.
4. Shivdeep Lande
Shivdeep Lande IPS is a former 2006 batch Indian Police Service officer, widely known as the “Dabangg IPS of Bihar,” recognized for strict action against crime, corruption, eve-teasing, and drug mafias, and for gaining massive public support through fearless, people-oriented policing. He is known for direct action and public engagement and gained massive popularity on social media and among youth. Shivdeep Lande IPS, arrested many offenders and received the title of ‘The Supercop’.
5. K. Vijay Kumar
IPS K. Vijay Kumar is best known for commanding the Special Task Force that neutralized the forest sandalwood smuggler Veerappan in 2004 after a long and complex Cocoon Operation. K.Vajiy Kumar IPS later served as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force, where he focused on modernizing counter insurgency operations. His strategic thinking and operational excellence made him one of India’s most effective police leaders.
6. Ajit Doval
NSA Ajit Doval is famously known as the ‘James Bond of India’ and is renowned for his intelligence and counter terrorism work. 1968 batch,retired IPS officer Ajit Doval spent 7 years as an undercover RAW agent in Pakistan and played an important role during the 1999 Kandahar hijacking crisis. After retiring, Ajiv Doval became India’s National Security Advisor on May 30, 2014, shaping major national security and foreign policy decisions. NSA Ajit Doval is widely known for his contributions during Operation Black Thunder, where he flushed out militants from the Golden Temple.
7. Narendra Kumar
Narendra Kumar is remembered as a martyr IPS officer who was killed by the mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh while performing his duty. His death highlighted the dangers faced by IPS officers who fight criminals to keep the people safe. IPS Narendra Kumar became a symbol of sacrifice and integrity, resulting in nationwide discussions on police safety and political backing for honest officers.
8. Sanjukta Parashar
2006 Batch IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar gained recognition for leading anti-insurgency operations against ULFA militants in Assam. Lady IPS Sanjukta Parashar broke stereotypes about women in combat policing roles and leading significant operations. Her courage and field leadership earned her the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and inspired many women to join the police forces.
9. Amit Lodha
IPS Amit Lodha is the most famous 1998 batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre and is widely recognized for his work in combating organized crime in Bihar. Early in his career, IPS Amit Lodha played a crucial role in nabbing a terrorist linked to the 2001 American Center attack in Kolkata. He gradually rose to prominence, and a very famous Netflix series has been inspired by his work contributions, named “Khakee: The Bihar Chapter”.
10. Abhay Singh
Abhay Singh gained fame for his ethical governance. IPS officer Abhay Singh served in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and was known for anti-corruption measures and strengthening governance mechanisms. After retirement, he became an author and public speaker, talking about spirituality, governance and integrity in public service, offering a philosophical angle to policing in India.
Roles and Responsibilities of IPS Officers
IPS officers are senior authority figures responsible for maintaining law & order, preventing & investigating crimes and ensuring public safety in India. The best IPS officers in India command state police forces, Border Security Forces and intelligence agencies, such as IB & RAW, while handling VIP security, counter-terrorism initiatives and disaster management. Let’s take a look at the key roles and responsibilities of IPS officers.
1. Law Enforcement and Public Order
IPS officers maintain peace, control riots, manage traffic and ensure safety within their jurisdiction. In case of any community violence, bomb attacks and violence, IPS officers in India do everything in their power to restore peace and harmony in the region they are serving. They are responsible for law enforcement and public order.
2. Prevention and Investigation of Crime
IPS officers lead major investigations, such as cybercrime and narcotics, managing police stations and supervising subordinate officers. They prevent and investigate heinous crimes such as kidnappings, extortion, smuggling and security threats.
3. Prevention of Terrorism
If India stands as a safe nation today, it is only because of the groundwork of IPS and IAS officers. They work for the prevention of terrorism and the protection of victims. They collect and analyse intelligence to identify security threats, including terrorism and anti-insurgency activities, to keep the regions peaceful and safe.
4. Leading the Police Force
Leading and supervising state police is the duty of IPS officers. They lead and regulate Central Armed Police Forces such as BSF, CRPF, CISF and specialized units like CBI, CID, and IB. They formulate strategies to solve crimes, gather intelligence and interrogate suspects.
5. Security Management
IPS officers in India provide VIP security, border policing and railway policing to high-ranking government officials and people of great importance, such as celebrities and delegates. They also work for infrastructure management, such as airports and government buildings.
Conclusion
Indian Police Service has given many gems to the country who have made significant contributions in anti-terrorism, anti-corruption, smuggling and leading anti-insurgency operations. An IPS officer is responsible for maintaining public peace, safety and order. Some notable examples are IPS Kiran Bedi, who is the first woman IPS officer of India, and has taken initiatives for education & work opportunities for jail inmates and clean governance. Ajit Doval, who started his journey as an IPS officer and has been serving as the National Security Advisor of India since 2014, has done remarkable work as a spymaster and spent 7 years in Pakistan as an undercover agent to expose Pakistan’s nuclear ventures. Many other officers have inspired millions through their courage, intelligence and praiseworthy work.