In the heart of Maharashtra’s bustling administrative framework, where duty often stretches far beyond office hours and personal time is a luxury, two civil servants found themselves drawn together not just by marriage, but by a shared passion – to guide, mentor, and inspire a new generation of civil service aspirants.
DCP Nityanand Jha, a 2019-batch IPS officer currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 2, Nagpur, and his wife, Ayushi Singh, a 2019-batch IAS officer and the Additional Tribal Commissioner, have co-authored a remarkable academic work titled ‘Indian Society’. Designed as a comprehensive, exam-oriented guide for UPSC and MPSC aspirants, the book has already garnered strong appreciation, prompting a second edition within the same year of its release.
Launched at Police Bhavan by Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, the book blends the academic depth of two top-ranking officers with their real-world understanding of India’s social fabric.
Indian Masterminds interacted with Mr. Jha and Ms. Singh to learn more about their book and how they brought it to life.
A Book Born From Passion and Purpose
The seeds of Indian Society were sown in early 2024 when a publisher approached DCP Jha with an idea. As a sociology topper during his civil services preparation, he had long felt the need for a single, consolidated source that could simplify the otherwise scattered study material available to aspirants.
“Until now, aspirants had to refer to multiple sources, which was time-consuming and confusing,” IPS Jha explained. “I felt a need to write something that would streamline preparation without compromising on depth or accuracy.”
The book covers ten chapters aligned with the UPSC syllabus, including themes such as caste, social change, globalization, and rural-urban dynamics. Each author contributed five chapters, writing primarily after office hours.
“Most of my writing happened late at night, after returning from duty,” he added with a smile. “It wasn’t easy, but it was something I deeply believed in.”
Ayushi Singh: Writing Between Duties and Diapers
For Ms Singh, the journey was equally intense but deeply fulfilling. Balancing her administrative responsibilities with motherhood – her son was just eight months old during the writing phase – Ms Singh contributed not just chapters, but critical vision and voice to the project.
“It was a passion project,” she shared. “We saw a gap – most existing books were written by scholars or professors, which were too academic. Our aim was to make sociology accessible for aspirants who aren’t specialists.”
She highlighted that the book is designed not only for mains preparation but also with interviews in mind.
“You can’t crack the UPSC interview just by stating facts. You need to present informed opinions,” Ms Singh said. “We haven’t pushed our personal opinions in the book, but we guide aspirants to evaluate facts critically and form balanced views – something crucial for interview success.”
Behind the Pages: A Story of Perseverance
What makes this project particularly inspiring is the amount of effort poured into it amidst challenging field postings. Mr Jha recalled his early hesitation about authoring a book.
“I was confident about writing notes – I did that during my four years at a coaching institute. But writing a book? That’s a huge responsibility,” he admitted.
Encouraged by a mentor and a nudge from publisher McGraw Hill, he began small – submitting just a few topics. The response was positive, and confidence grew.
“I read every article I could find, even research journals, to make sure we left no stone unturned. Writing this book meant re-learning everything from scratch 0 and refining it for the reader.”
Despite tight deadlines, the couple requested extra time and delivered a quality product in six to eight months. Their professional insights and student-friendly presentation are what make Indian Society stand apart.
An Updated Edition: Staying Relevant
Responding to feedback and the evolving demands of the UPSC syllabus, the second edition, released in October 2025, includes –
- Updated data from the past year
- New “Debate Corners” for deeper analysis
- Model answers tailored for 2024–25 aspirants
- Refined content to reflect current social dynamics
“We didn’t just revise the book – we enhanced it,” said IPS Jha. “This time, I was posted in Gondia, but we managed to add new material in just over two months.”
A Book with a Broader Purpose
More than just a study guide, Indian Society is also a reflection of how officers can bridge the gap between policy and preparation, using their field experience to guide future administrators.
For aspirants, the book is a one-stop reference not just for theoretical understanding but also for building the analytical and ethical foundation that the UPSC interview panel seeks.
“Even those with technical optionals like Physics or Engineering will find this book helpful,” Ms Singh said. “We kept generalists in mind – those who need to understand society, not as academics, but as future administrators.”
Final Word: Officers First, Mentors Always
In a world where government officers often remain distant figures of authority, DCP Nityanand Jha and IAS Ayushi Singh stand out – not just for their administrative acumen, but for their willingness to educate, mentor, and empower.
Their book is more than pages bound together – it’s a tribute to aspirants chasing a dream, crafted by two officers who’ve walked that path themselves.
“We didn’t write this book to become authors,” said IPS Jha. “We wrote it to give something back. Because we know what it feels like to need guidance – and not have one clear source.”
