https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

If you’re chasing fame & perks, then UPSC CSE Is Not For You,’ says IPS Tejaswi Satpute

IPS Tejaswi Satpute’s journey involves determination and hard work. From struggling with career choices to cracking the UPSC exam and stepping into a challenging law enforcement role, she has faced every obstacle head-on.
Indian Masterminds Stories

It was a quiet night in Paratwada, Maharashtra, where Tejaswi Satpute had been posted as the Superintendent of Police. The silence was thick, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves. Alone in her government quarters, she suddenly sensed movement—five or six figures slipping over the compound wall. The adrenaline kicked in.

She was alert but calm. Years of training had taught her that fear is a luxury she couldn’t afford. She immediately called the night patrol unit, instructing them to rush to her location with blaring sirens. As the sound of the approaching police vehicle grew louder, the intruders panicked. They attempted to force open the front gate but, unable to unlock it in time, resorted to pushing it down before fleeing into the night.

It was one of the many instances in her career that reaffirmed her choice to wear the khaki. “This job is not for those looking for name, fame, or perks. It is for those who want to be agents of change,” she shared on a media platform. Ms. Satpute is an IPS officer of the 2012 batch, Maharashtra cadre, currently serving as DCP in Pune.

A SMALL TOWN DREAMER 

Born in Shevgaon, a small town straddling the border of Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, Tejaswi grew up in a modest household. Her mother, a dedicated primary school teacher, was the pillar of her early education. Her father, once a farmer, later turned to business, running a small shop in their hometown.

As a child, Tejaswi dreamed of becoming a pilot, captivated by the idea of soaring through the skies. But life had other plans. In her teenage years, she developed severe vision issues and had to start wearing glasses—an obstacle that quietly shelved her aviation ambitions. She recalibrated her aspirations, first gravitating towards biotechnology, then law, before fate nudged her towards the civil services.

THE CALL OF THE UPSC 

It was during her first year of LLB that she first heard of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. A few of her classmates were preparing for it, poring over newspapers and discussing polity and governance with an intensity that intrigued her. “I asked them what exactly they were preparing for, and their explanation left me fascinated,” she said. The more she learned about the exam, the more it resonated with her.

Like many aspirants, she faced skepticism from those around her. Having already switched academic fields multiple times—from biotechnology to law—some assumed she was merely wandering aimlessly. “People would tease me, asking, ‘What will you become next?’ First, a scientist? Then a lawyer? Now a collector? No one took me seriously,” she says. But she didn’t let their doubts shake her conviction.

Her first attempt at the UPSC ended in failure. “Until that point, I had never truly experienced failure,” she admits. The setback was humbling, but not defeating. If anything, it only solidified her resolve. She packed her bags and moved to Mumbai to dedicate herself entirely to preparation.

Her strategy was simple yet effective—choosing subjects she genuinely enjoyed. “People often ask which optional subject is the most scoring. But the truth is, you should pick what you understand and love. I chose History and Marathi Literature because they made sense to me,” she explains.

Her hard work bore fruit, and in 2012, she cracked the UPSC, securing a place in the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS), Maharashtra cadre.

POLICING WITH A PURPOSE

Over the past decade, Tejaswi Satpute has served in multiple challenging roles, including her current position as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Pune.

Her policing philosophy is rooted in accountability and community engagement. In Pune, she launched an initiative aimed at curbing reckless driving by bikers. Two riders would be sent on the same route—one following all traffic rules, the other disregarding them. The difference in time taken to reach the destination was negligible. “When people see data from Europe or America, they dismiss it as irrelevant. But when they saw the results in Pune, they understood that breaking rules barely saves any time. It changed mindsets,” she says.

Her proactive approach to crime control was evident in her very first posting in Paratwada. A large criminal habitat of nearly 500 houses was on the police radar. Instead of waiting for trouble, she planned a surprise combing operation, scanning each house in a single, coordinated move. The operation was a success and set the tone for her no-nonsense policing style.

THE BARRIERS IN UPSC 

Despite her success, she remains acutely aware of the barriers many UPSC aspirants face—financial struggles, lack of guidance, and repeated failures. “Millions of students sit for this exam. Some can’t even afford the application fee. Others attempt four or five times and still don’t clear it,” she reflects.

She hopes her journey serves as proof that perseverance pays off. “Difficulties will come. There will be ups and downs. But if your intent is pure and you’re willing to work hard, nothing can stop you.”

Her story is not just about clearing an exam or wearing the uniform. It is about having purpose and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. And in that, Tejaswi Satpute is a name that will be remembered—not just in the police force but in the hearts of those she serves.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
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...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT