Early Life & Education
Anukriti Sharma was born on 14 October 1987 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Her father, Din Daya Sharma, served as a director in the Planning Department, and her mother, Madhu Sharma, was a government school teacher (Oneindia Hindi, Indian Masterminds).
She completed her schooling at Indo Bharat International School, Jaipur, before securing admission to the prestigious IISER Kolkata for an integrated BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery) (Oneindia Hindi, Indian Masterminds). Later, she pursued a PhD at Rice University, Houston, USA, researching the formation of Hawaiian volcanoes (Indian Masterminds, Bureaucrats).
Science Career & NASA Offer
While in the US, Anukriti received a lucrative job offer with NASA, with a salary reported around ₹50 lakh per annum (Bureaucrats). Despite this, she chose to return to India and focus on her dream of serving society through civil services.
UPSC Journey: Persistence Personified
Anukriti made several attempts at the UPSC Civil Services Examination:
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2015: Cleared Prelims; failed Mains.
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2016: Didn’t clear Prelims.
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2017: Interview stage reached, but not selected.
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2018: Achieved AIR 355, got selected for IRS.
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2020: Finally secured AIR 138, earning a posting into the IPS (UP cadre) (Oneindia Hindi, Indian Masterminds, Amar Ujala Results, Bureaucrats).
Her husband, Vaibhav Mishra—also a PhD scholar—became her tutor and co-aspirant throughout her UPSC journey, especially helping her with Geography, garnering her immense gratitude (Bureaucrats, Amar Ujala Results).
IPS Service: Initiatives & Impact
Early Posting & “Police My Friend” Campaign
Anukriti began her IPS career in Lucknow, serving as SHO at Sushant Golf City Police Station. She launched the “Police My Friend” campaign, which sought to humanize policing by encouraging police-public dialogues, especially with school children, through art competitions and community meetings (Navbharat Times).
Mission Shakti & Women Empowerment
As Nodal Officer for Mission Shakti in Bulandshahr, she spearheaded gender-inclusive initiatives:
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Empowered women officers by assigning them field roles like raids and arrests, breaking stereotypes (India Today, SoundnLight).
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Rolled out the “phantom mobile” system—women constables patrolled on bikes to serve summons and enhance public engagement (SoundnLight).
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Organized events like boat rallies, street shows, and Ram Leela performances, all led by women officers to raise awareness on issues affecting women (SoundnLight).
Community Outreach: Chowpals & Grassroots Awareness
In Bulandshahr and later Sambhal, she conducted regular Chowpal (public meetings) to build trust, raise awareness, and break the crime–police barrier with citizens. Her efforts included urging villagers to install CCTV cameras, reporting domestic violence, and sharing crime information proactively (Navbharat Times).
The “Swades Moment”: Bringing Light to Noorjahan
A moment that went viral was her initiative to bring electricity to Noorjahan, a 70-year-old widow living without it for decades. In a touching “Swades moment,” she personally arranged for the connection, ensuring electricity and lighting up Noorjahan’s life—and the internet—bringing widespread admiration (www.ndtv.com, Hindustan Times).
Environmental & Civic Projects: Turtle Pond Cleanup
Anukriti's commitment extended to environmental causes too. Posted as ASP in Sambhal, she led the cleanup of a decrepit pond in Kashipur village, home to over 250 turtles. Working with villagers and Namami Gange officials, she organized clean-up drives, beautification, installed fencing and benches, and conducted painting contests to raise awareness (UP Tak).
Recent Developments & High-Profile Cases
₹100-Crore Insurance Fraud Investigation — “Beyond the Badge”
In a pathbreaking initiative of public policing, UP Police launched a podcast series, Beyond the Badge. In its inaugural episode, Anukriti (as SP of South Sambhal) narrated her role in unearthing a ₹100-crore insurance fraud. The scam involved forging documents, manipulating Aadhaar and insuring deceased or illiterate individuals. Her investigative team used data analytics, technical surveillance, and cross-agency coordination to crack the operation and make several arrests. She also urged citizens to safeguard personal documents and report suspicious behavior (The Times of India).
Exposing Aadhaar Fraud in Sambhal
In March 2025, she exposed a shocking fraud in which a local, Vinod, reduced his father’s age by 21 years on Aadhaar to secure fake insurance claims. He purchased and subsequently sold vehicles after insured individuals passed away, leaving victims’ families unaware. Her action-led investigation provided critical insight into the exploitation of vulnerable individuals (UP Tak).
Controversies & Critiques
There have been no significant controversies associated with IPS Anukriti Sharma reported in major media. Her public image remains overwhelmingly positive, driven by her transparent, empathetic, and community-first policing approach.
Interesting Facts & FAQs
Interesting Facts
Fact | Description |
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NASA Job Offer | Offered a high-paying job at NASA during her PhD studies in the US but returned to pursue UPSC. (Bureaucrats) |
Multiple UPSC Attempts | Cracked IRS in 2018; IPS in 2020 (AIR 138) after four attempts. (Oneindia Hindi, Amar Ujala Results) |
Power to the People | Helped bring electricity to a 70-year-old widow—what she called her “Swades moment.” (www.ndtv.com, Hindustan Times) |
Eco-Warrior IPS | Led the cleaning and transformation of a turtle-inhabited pond in rural UP. (UP Tak) |
Endorsed by Podcast | Featured in the Beyond the Badge podcast for unraveling a ₹100-crore fraud. (The Times of India) |
FAQs
1. Where is Anukriti Sharma from and when was she born?
She hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and was born on 14 October 1987. (Oneindia Hindi, Indian Masterminds)
2. What was her academic and professional background?
Anukriti completed BSMS at IISER Kolkata, pursued a PhD in the US on volcanology, and worked with NASA before choosing civil services. (Bureaucrats, Indian Masterminds)
3. How many UPSC attempts did she make?
Five attempts: 2015 (Prelims), 2016 (Prelims failure), 2017 (interview only), 2018 (IRS), 2020 (IPS). (Oneindia Hindi, Amar Ujala Results)
4. What are some of her standout policing initiatives?
“Police My Friend,” Mission Shakti women empowerment, bringing electricity to rural households, community chowpals, environmental pledges, and high-profile fraud-offs. (India Today, SoundnLight, www.ndtv.com, Navbharat Times, UP Tak, The Times of India)
5. Any controversies or criticisms?
None reported. She is generally portrayed positively across all media profiles.
6. Where can I learn more about her recent cases?
Check out the Beyond the Badge podcast, featuring her insurance fraud probe. (The Times of India)
7. What inspires her approach to policing?
Her academic background, empathy, gender inclusivity, tech savviness, and commitment to transparency and public trust stand out regionally and nationally.
Anukriti Sharma’s journey from NASA aspirant to change-making IPS officer—blending academic rigor, resilience, and compassion—is a testament to purposeful leadership in public service. If you’d like a shorter version, graphics, or focus on a specific initiative, feel free to ask!
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