“Fate didn’t allow me to wear olive green, so I chose khaki — but I never let go of my rifle.”
When dreams collapse, most people move on. But IPS officer Ingit Pratap Singh rebuilt his life around those broken pieces – one disciplined shot at a time.
At eight, his father gifted him an airgun. At forty-one, Singh stood tall on the podium in Alabama, USA, gold medal gleaming under the lights of the World Police and Fire Games. From the heartbreak of being discharged from the Army thrice to bringing international glory to India, his journey is a living testament to grit, patience, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
A Boy, an Airgun, and an Unfinished Dream
Born into a disciplined household — his father an IRS officer — Ingit’s fascination with shooting began early. The rooftop of his Delhi home was his first range. “We would line up Dalda dabbas and shoot at them every evening,” he recalls, smiling at the memory that shaped his life’s trajectory.
But fate had other plans. After clearing the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance and beginning training in 2001, Singh’s Army dream hit its first wall — medical issues forced him to withdraw. Twice more, he tried again through the Indian Military Academy (IMA), only to be sidelined by health complications and a ligament injury.
“I was discharged three times. Each time, I thought it was the end. But something inside me kept saying — this can’t be how my story ends.”
When the Army door closed, he chose another — the UPSC Civil Services Exam. In 2011, he donned the khaki of the Indian Police Service, proving that resilience can rewrite destiny.
From Policing the Streets to Aiming for the Sky
As a Delhi Police officer, Singh handled some of the capital’s most challenging assignments — including postings as DCP Special Cell and DCP South West Delhi. But even while commanding men and managing crises, he found his calm behind the rifle.
“When I was DCP in Delhi, I used to finish my official duties and then practise at my residence,” he says. His home soon became a makeshift range — shoes lined neatly beside his rifle, targets pinned against the wall.
In 2015, during his posting in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Singh’s passion reignited. What began as evening practice turned into professional pursuit. By 2020, under Olympic shooter Suma Shirur’s mentorship at the Lakshya Shooting Club in Panvel, he began formal training. The journey required weekly flights, sleepless nights, and unflinching discipline.
“I live a boring life to achieve this dream. I skip family functions, give limited time to my family, and spend most of my free time at the range.”
The Making of a Champion
The results of that “boring life” soon spoke volumes.
- 2022: Silver medal at the Delhi State Shooting Championship.
- 2023: Bronze at the World Police Games in Canada.
- 2025: Gold at the World Police and Fire Games, Alabama.
With officers from over 75 countries competing, Singh’s 10-meter air rifle gold became India’s moment of pride. “I practised for two hours daily in my hotel room when the range was shut,” he recalls. “This gold is just one step closer to my Olympic dream.”
Today, he serves as Joint Director General at the Competition Commission of India (CCI), balancing his duties with a punishing training routine. Weekdays are for office; weekends, for eight-hour-long shooting sessions.
“Preparing for UPSC is just a trailer — the real work begins after you join the service,” he says, smiling. “And if you want to chase something extraordinary, you must build your life around it.”
Family, Focus, and the Fire Within
Behind the medals stands a support system anchored by his wife Shweta and their six-month-old daughter. “Our schedule is fixed. I give at least an hour daily to my daughter, and we step out just once a month,” he shares. “It’s not glamorous — it’s discipline.”
Even his dog’s name — Rio — echoes his Olympic obsession. “I grew up watching the Olympic Games. As a kid, when people asked my age, I said, ‘I’m ten Olympics old.’ That dream still drives me.”
Despite limited sponsorships, Singh has financed most of his training himself. His department’s understanding and his structured posting have given him just enough space to prepare for upcoming National Shooting Championships.
‘The Goal Was Set in Childhood’
Ingit’s story isn’t about medals alone — it’s about second chances and unwavering focus. Every setback, from medical discharges to missed opportunities, became a stepping stone.
“The goal was set in childhood, but my training — and my failures — shaped me. Olive green or khaki, the mission was always the same: serve the nation and aim higher.”
Now, with his sights firmly on the Olympic podium, IPS officer Ingit Pratap Singh continues to embody the spirit of service — both to his country and his own dreams.
As he holds his gold medal, the reflection in its shine tells a story not of luck, but of willpower.
“All this,” he says, “is just part of the journey. The final destination is the Olympics — and I’ll reach there, one perfect shot at a time.”
