Mr. Pushkar Sharma, a 2018-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, has recently been deputed as an Assistant Director on central deputation. Following the Home Ministry’s posting order, the Chhattisgarh government formally relieved him, and he will now move to Delhi to assume his new responsibilities. Previously, he served as Commandant of the Mana Battalion in Raipur.
Known for his strategic leadership, Mr. Sharma has led high-profile anti-Naxal operations and successfully dismantled organized criminal networks, earning praise at the state level.
Early Life and Education: A Journey of Determination
Born on May 30, 1991, in Patna, Bihar, Mr. Sharma comes from a family rooted in professional excellence. His father was a government engineer, his mother a homemaker, one sister a scientist, the other a doctor, and his brother an engineer.
Due to his father’s transferable job, Mr. Sharma attended school across several cities. He completed his KG-1 to 10th grade in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, securing 97% in his ICSE exams. He then moved to Kota, Rajasthan, for his 11th and 12th grades while simultaneously preparing for the IIT JEE. He succeeded in cracking the entrance exam and earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT-BHU.
UPSC Journey: Perseverance Pays Off
After graduation, Mr. Sharma moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Despite three unsuccessful attempts from 2014 to 2016, he persisted and cleared the exam on his fourth attempt in 2017, securing an All India Rank of 228. His dedication, self-study methods, and consistent guidance from his mother in current affairs and arts subjects helped him overcome obstacles and achieve his goal.
Distinguished Police Career
Joining the IPS on 17 December 2018, Mr. Sharma began his training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Training Academy in Hyderabad. His first field posting was as a trainee in Raigarh district, followed by tenure as CSP in Ambikapur. He then served as Additional SP for Naxal Operations in Narayanpur before becoming Superintendent of Police of the same district.
In Narayanpur, Mr. Sharma successfully led several major anti-Naxal operations, combining strategic planning with ground-level intelligence. Later, as SP of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, he spearheaded a crackdown on large-scale marijuana smuggling networks from the Odisha border, dismantling multiple gangs and restoring law and order.
Leadership and Vision
Mr. Sharma is recognized for balancing operational rigor with community engagement. His career reflects an emphasis on disciplined policing, modernization, and preventive strategies to ensure long-term stability. His field expertise, coupled with analytical acumen, has positioned him as a promising officer in India’s law enforcement landscape.
