Patna: Nearly 18 months after her sudden resignation from the Indian Police Service (IPS) shook the police fraternity, former Darbhanga Rural SP Kamya Mishra has finally shared her story. Speaking publicly for the first time, she reflected on her six-year stint in Bihar, her challenges as a young officer, and the reasons behind stepping away from the uniform.
Early Life and Academic Brilliance
2019 batch IPS officer Ms Kamya hails from Rairangpur in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, the daughter of a prominent businessman in the mining and steel industry. A high-achiever from the start, she scored an impressive 98.6% in her Class 12 board exams and went on to graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. It was during her time at LSR that she began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
In 2019, at just 22 years old, Kamya cleared the UPSC CSE -2018 exam on her first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 172. Initially allotted to the Himachal Pradesh cadre, she later transferred to Bihar following her marriage to IPS officer Avdhesh Dixit in 2021.
A Rising Star in Bihar Police
Ms Kamya’s career in Bihar was marked by rapid advancement and a reputation for toughness. Starting as SHO in Lalganj (Vaishali), she later served as ASP Sadar and Secretariat SP in Patna, and finally as SP Rural in Darbhanga. Her fearless approach earned her the nickname “Lady Singham.”
“Bihar gave me everything — I understood it, lived it,” she said during a recent TEDxGIMS talk. She emphasized that the state never made her feel inferior because of her gender. “My seniors ensured I went on raids and led operations just like any male colleague,” she said, describing Bihar as the land of Buddha and Mahavira, which she experienced firsthand through her service.
Two Incidents That Shaped Her Perspective
Kamya shared two incidents that deeply influenced her understanding of society and policing –
First Arrest During Chhath Puja: She recalled making her very first arrest during Chhath Puja, unaware of the festival’s cultural significance. Despite pleas from the accused’s mother to postpone, she proceeded. Days later, the same woman returned with thekua prasad and said, “You did the right thing. Maybe my son will now walk the right path.” This taught Kamya the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change.
Encounter with an Eight-Year-Old Rape Survivor: Kamya described the emotional toll of arresting the accused but realizing she could not arrest the mindset that led to the crime. “That day, something inside me broke,” she said, highlighting the limitations of policing in addressing deep-rooted social issues.
The Emotional Toll of Police Work
Kamya reflected on the relentless challenges of police work, describing it as “standing in other people’s problems and fights as a direct party.”
“When people celebrate Holi and Diwali at home, a police officer is worrying about communal tension. You watch colleagues get injured or die. The irony is, we don’t get thanks — just angry seniors, angry families, and angry citizens,” she said. She compared policing to “cleaning society’s dirty water — which is actually human suffering.”
Why She Chose to Resign
Her resignation, submitted on August 5, 2024, and accepted by the government on March 27, 2025, surprised many. In her letter, she cited “personal and family reasons.” At TEDxGIMS, she clarified:
“This is not about giving up. It is about making space for something new. Sometimes leaving is not quitting. It is growing. Some people grow within the system. Some grow beyond it.”
She likened life to a canvas: “You can keep drawing between the same lines, or you can change the canvas.”
Serving Society Through Education
Even after leaving the IPS, Kamya said her commitment to public service remains. She now aims to impact society through education and providing opportunities for young people.
“Every criminal I interrogated could have been me, if not for my education and my parents,” she said, addressing young professionals hesitant to leave unfulfilling careers. “Real strength is knowing when to let go and what to build next.”
What She Doing Now: Entrepreneurship and the Family Legacy
Ms Mishra is currently transitioning into a dual role as a business leader and social entrepreneur following the official acceptance of her resignation from the Indian Police Service in March 2025. Primarily, she has stepped in to manage her family’s prominent mining and steel business to support her father, Rajkumar Mishra. Beyond the corporate sector, she is actively pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, including a reported e-commerce startup and social impact initiatives focused on education and skill development. In a February 2026 interview, she described this new chapter as “nurturing potential,” emphasizing that while she has left the uniform, her commitment to public service continues through creating opportunities outside the bureaucratic system.
Personal Life and Post-IPS Journey
Ms Mishra is married to fellow 2019-batch IPS officer Avdhesh Dixit, currently posted in Lakhisarai, Bihar. Now away from the uniform, she is channeling her energy into educational initiatives and family responsibilities, continuing her legacy of public service in a new form.
Career Highlights
- UPSC Success: Cleared in 2019, first attempt, AIR 172
- Key Postings: SHO Lalganj, ASP Sadar and Secretariat SP Patna, SP Rural Darbhanga
- Notable Work: Led SIT in high-profile murder case of Jeetan Sahni
- Recognition: Nicknamed “Lady Singham” for tough stance on crime
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