https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Trailblazer Women IPS Officers Legacy Is Transformative Surge In Gender Inclusivity   

"They have already shattered every conceivable glass ceiling", writes former IPS officer Ms. Aruna Bahuguna. From being confined mostly to desk jobs, women IPS officers are now in combat roles. They constitute almost one fourth of IPS batches now. Naturally working conditions have improved for them. Still, they have proverbial miles to go before they sleep.
Indian Masterminds Stories

The only constant is change – sounds cliched, but rings true. Government Service continues be one of the most sought-after careers today, for both men and women, in India. The number of women gaining employment in the Services is on the rise. Once a male-dominated field, the IPS has witnessed a transformative surge in gender inclusivity, driven by policy reforms and trailblazing women who shattered stereotypes.

The journey began with Dr. Kiran Bedi, who, in 1972, became India’s first woman IPS officer. Her tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives, such as introducing reforms in Tihar Jail, which earned her the moniker “Crane Bedi” after she towed an illegally parked car belonging to a high-ranking official. 

Bedi’s legacy paved the way for others, though progress was slow. In the 1970s, batches often had just 1–2 women officers. By 2020, however, women comprised nearly 20–25% of some IPS batches, a testament to shifting societal norms and institutional support. The consequential fallout is that there has been rethinking on working conditions which have improved over the years. While being an IPS officer is demanding for all, it is more so for women, especially for the married and mothers. 

CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT

Maternity leave is now 6 months, as against 3 months in the ‘80’s, along with two weeks paternity leave for the fathers, which provision did not exist earlier. Leave for an abortion or miscarriage has been increased to forty-five days and can be taken at any time during the career. 

Child Care leave is a new provision which did not exist earlier. A mother can take up to two years leave to care of a child, which includes sickness, examinations or any other requirement or emergency.  In 2020, the Supreme Court’s directive to ensure permanent commission for women in command roles further bolstered these policies, emphasizing gender parity.

BETTER CONDITIONS

Training conditions are now much better in the Police Academies, particularly in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNAA). There are women trainers in the faculty as well as in the outdoor field, raising the comfort levels of women trainees. Training equipment such as lightweight bulletproof vests and uniform items are now being provided according to the specifications for women. 

Facilities have been improved at all levels, including at many police stations, with provisions for toilets, menstrual periods, changing rooms and rest halls. Police stations nationwide now feature “Pink Booths” staffed by women officers to address domestic violence and harassment. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu lead in infrastructure, with menstrual product dispensers and crèches. 

THE TRAILBLAZERS

Women have broken the glass ceiling and are appointed to senior most posts.  Aruna Bahuguna was the first woman Special Director General of Police in the CRPF, a CAPF, also the first woman Director of the SVP National Police Academy. Archana Ramasundaram as DGP of SSB, Nina Singh as DGP of CISF. Several states have had women DGPs like Kanchan Bhattacharya (Uttarakhand), Letika Saran ( Tamil Nadu), Ida Nongran (Meghalaya), Neelmani (Karnataka) and Rashmi Shukla (Maharashtra). 

These are the trail blazers, the pioneers who have paved the way for future women leaders of the IPS. India’s progress aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality). While women constitute 11.7% of India’s police force (NCRB 2022), up from 7% in 2014, the aim is to reach 33%. Women’s presence isn’t just about numbers—it’s about redefining leadership with empathy and innovation.”

As policies evolve and infrastructure adapts, these pioneers inspire future generations to serve with courage and compassion, ensuring that India’s police force mirrors the diversity of the nation it protects. Every woman in uniform isn’t just doing a job—she’s rewriting history. May they grow from strength to strength!

(By Aruna Bahuguna IPS (retired). First Lady IPS officer of erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh)


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
8th pay commission
Big Breaking! 8th Pay Commission May Merge DA With Basic Pay: A Historic Salary Reform Set to Reshape Government Pay Structure
ONGC_resized
ONGC Launches 2025 Apprenticeship Program with 2,623 Vacancies — Empowering India’s Youth for Energy Sector Careers
PNB-resized
PNB Unlocks Rs 1,007 Crore by Selling 10% Stake in Canara HSBC Life Ahead of IPO — Strategic Move to Strengthen Core Operations
ONGC_resized
India’s State-Run Oil Giants Invest Rs 46,600 Crore in Five Months — ONGC and IOC Lead Push for Energy Infrastructure Growth
CIL & IIT Madras Tie Up
Coal India and IIT Madras Join Forces to Launch ‘Centre for Sustainable Energy’ — A Major Step Toward India’s Net-Zero Future
Rajasthan-Police
Rajasthan: 34 IPS Senior Officers Transferred in Major Reshuffle; New DG Post Created in SOG-ATS, Sachin Mittal Made New Police Commissioner of Jaipur
IRTS logo
Senior IRTS Officer Ranjan Prakash Thakur Prematurely Repatriated from ONGC to Parent Cadre for Promotion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
8th pay commission
Big Breaking! 8th Pay Commission May Merge DA With Basic Pay: A Historic Salary Reform Set to Reshape Government Pay Structure
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT