“Dreams are not what you see in sleep, dreams are those that don’t let you sleep.” – Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
In the remote village of Pakar in Chhattisgarh, where resources are limited but dreams are vast, a young boy dared to dream beyond the boundaries of his humble surroundings. With resilience, focus, and an unbreakable spirit, 2018 batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav carved an extraordinary path from a small village to the prestigious Indian Police Service, emerging as a symbol of hope for thousands of aspiring youth.
This is not just the story of a man in uniform – it is a story of grit, of relentless pursuit, and of rising strong even after setbacks. A story that echoes the message: Your beginnings don’t define your destination.
Indian Masterminds interacted with him to learn more about his inspiring journey and how he achieved it.
EARLY EDUCATION & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
He received his primary education from Saraswati Shishu Mandir in his village. He later cleared the entrance examination for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and completed his schooling (Class 6 to 12) from JNV Bhupdevpur, Raigarh. A meritorious student throughout, he scored 85% in Class 10 and an impressive 90.6% in Class 12, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as his core subjects.
After intermediate, he moved to Chennai to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from Madras Veterinary College, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS). He graduated as a Gold Medalist, securing 84.94% marks.
BALANCING JOB AND UPSC ASPIRATIONS
After graduation, Jitendra relocated to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. To avoid being a financial burden on his family, he took up a job in the Veterinary Department in Delhi. This job enabled him to fund his own accommodation, food, and coaching materials, while focusing on his civil services preparation.
During this time, he was also selected in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) with a rank of 114.
CRACKING UPSC WITHOUT COACHING
Mr Yadav cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in his very first attempt in 2014, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 379. He was allotted the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and served as an Assistant Commissioner of GST in Rohtak, Haryana, for three years.
Sadly, his father passed away before he was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS). However, he had already made his father proud by clearing UPSC and being appointed to the IRS.
Despite his job, Mr Yadav continued to pursue his dream of joining the IPS. He attempted the 2015 and 2016 UPSC exams but did not clear the prelims. However, in 2017, he succeeded again – this time with an impressive AIR 170, earning him a place in the IPS.
“Every failure was a lesson. I knew that if I stayed honest with my efforts, the result would come,” he said.
Interestingly, he also appeared for the 2018 UPSC exam and cleared it with AIR 350, but since he was already in IPS from the previous batch, his service did not change.
JOINING THE INDIAN POLICE SERVICE
IPS Yadav joined the Indian Police Service on August 27, 2018. He underwent training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad.
For field training, he was posted in Baloda Bazar–Bhatapara district, where he served as Officer-in-Charge of Bhatapara Police Station. During his tenure, he carried out remarkable actions in excise-related cases and IPL betting rackets, and successfully solved two blind murder cases in the jurisdiction.
BACKGROUND
Mr Yadav hails from Pakar village in the Pathalgaon block of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. He was born on January 25, 1989, in his native village. His father, the late Ghanshyam Yadav, worked as a contract supervisor in the Irrigation Department for nearly 28 years and became a regular employee in 2008.
He is the youngest of three brothers. His eldest brother, Narendra Yadav, is a government school teacher in Pathalgaon, while his second brother, Sanjay Yadav, serves as a Sub-Inspector in Dantewada district. IPS Yadav is married to Vedshree, who is a food scientist.
SERVICE IN DURG AND NOTABLE CASES
Following his tenure in Baloda Bazar, Mr Yadav was posted as City Superintendent of Police (CSP), Durg.
Apart from maintaining law and order, he played a crucial role in several high-profile cases-
- Action in the Mahadev App betting racket
- Solving the Shivansh Chandrakar murder case, a regional sensation
His next postings proved even more challenging. As Additional SP (Naxal Operations) in Bhanupratappur, Kanker, he led critical operations and:
- Helped in the recruitment of Bastar Fighters
- Established a police camp in Ambeda
- Led active anti-Naxal missions
His leadership as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Balod and then in Bijapur showcased his administrative finesse and courage. In Balod, he-
- Restored law and order in sensitive Pateshwar Dham
- Solved a ₹1 crore theft case
In Bijapur, a known Naxalite stronghold, he made a historic impact-
- 3 new camps opened in Naxal-dominated areas
- 51 Naxalites neutralized, 280+ arrested, and 122 surrendered
“The only way to combat fear is to step into it. Every time we entered Naxal areas, we walked with faith – in our team, in our mission, and in our nation,” he shared.
LEGACY OF GRIT, MESSAGE OF HOPE
IPS Yadav’s story isn’t just about cracking UPSC multiple times. It’s about never letting go of your dream, even when the odds are stacked against you.
“It’s not about talent alone. It’s about commitment. You don’t have to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things,” he believes.
From being a village boy with limited means to a top IPS officer fighting crime and Naxalism, his life is an inspiring testimony that dreams chased with discipline can transform into reality.
FINAL WORDS TO ASPIRANTS
To every UPSC aspirant feeling the weight of failure or the fear of uncertainty, IPS Yadav shares, “Never measure your worth by your rank. If you fail, fail forward. Every attempt teaches you more about yourself. If I can do it, so can you.”
