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.
