Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS: 12th Fail Hero Now IG Law & Order 2026

• Tempo Driver in Delhi: While preparing for UPSC, Manoj Kumar Sharma worked as a tempo/auto-rickshaw driver with his brother in Delhi just to survive and fund his studies.
• Slept on the Streets: His family’s financial condition was so dire that he sometimes slept outdoors — yet he never abandoned the dream of becoming an IPS officer.
• The Tent Demolition: Municipal authorities demolished the family’s shelter tent for missing documentation — this injustice ignited his resolve to join civil services and change the system from within.
• Free Coaching Changed Everything: Vikas Divyakirti offered coaching completely free of charge after hearing Manoj’s story — one of the most consequential acts of generosity in IPS history.
• Hindi Typing Dream: He learned Hindi typing in school, initially hoping to land a small government job in his village. That small dream expanded into something monumental.
• Inspired by Gorky & Lincoln: He regularly read biographies of Maxim Gorky (who overcame poverty in Russia) and Abraham Lincoln (who rose from log cabin to presidency) for motivation.
• Zero Film Compensation: He received no money for the Bollywood film made about his own life — and willingly so. He stated this proudly as a mark of his integrity.
• Wife’s Family Initially Disapproved: Shraddha’s parents were reluctant about her marrying someone posted to Maharashtra (far from Uttarakhand). Manoj promised to work toward a cadre change — a promise that evolved as their love deepened.
• Chose IPS over IAS: His rank (AIR 121) would have qualified him for both IAS and IPS. He chose the Indian Police Service — the path of the shield, not the desk.
• Peon in a Library: Among his various odd jobs during UPSC preparation was working as a peon in a library — surrounded by the very books that would fuel his transformation.

Detailed Biography Section

Early Life: Born in Poverty and Struggle

Born on July 3, 1975, in the small village of Bilgaon in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Kumar Sharma’s life story reads like a script of triumph against all odds. The real Manoj Kumar Sharma hails from the Chambal region, an area historically known for dacoity and criminal activities, making his journey even more remarkable.

He was born into a lower-middle-class Hindu family in Madhya Pradesh. According to him, his family was so poor that they could not afford to put a roof on the top of their house. As a result, Manoj spent many nights on the street with the homeless.

Educational Struggles: Overcoming Academic Obstacles

The path to education was fraught with challenges. Manoj was not academically sound when he was in school, struggling with traditional learning methods and facing economic constraints that limited his focus.

The Famous 12th Grade Failure: Manoj did not pass class 12. In an interview, he said that he managed to pass only in Hindi out of all the subjects because a new Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) got posted in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, who instructed the schools and law enforcement agencies to maintain a strict vigil on students to not allow them to cheat.

This failure, which could have ended his dreams, became his turning point.

The Transformation Phase: Meeting Shraddha & Finding Purpose

A pivotal moment came when Manoj met Shraddha Joshi, who would become his wife and lifelong support system.

It was around this period that Manoj Kumar Sharma met Shraddha Joshi. Although academically ambitious and hardworking, Sharma saw their future as intertwined. In his courtship, he promised to change his life for the better. That vow became the catalyst for his transformation.

To fulfill that promise—to Shraddha and chiefly to himself—Sharma had to reinvent his life. Motivated by both love and self-respect, he refused to let past failures dictate his future. His resolve was that he would enter the civil services, no matter how steep the climb.

UPSC Preparation: Years of Sacrifice and Struggle

The journey to cracking UPSC was marked by extraordinary personal sacrifice and perseverance.

To support himself, IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma took up multiple odd jobs. He drove a tempo in his hometown, performed odd chores in Delhi, and even worked as a peon in a library. On many nights, Sharma had no proper shelter—but he carried his books, notes, and belief in his heart.

The Four UPSC Attempts: His journey to the Indian Police Service was full of trials: multiple attempts at UPSC, self-study in a rural mindset, juggling work and preparation, enduring failure and staying committed. His success on the 4th attempt showed the payoff of perseverance.

Intellectual Inspiration: Manoj found inspiration to face life’s challenges from reading biographies of figures like Alexei Maximovich Peshkov (Maxim Gorky) and Abraham Lincoln. During his UPSC preparation, he read multiple books penned by Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh.

The Breakthrough: UPSC Success & IPS Entry (2005)

On the 4th attempt, he finally cracked the UPSC with All India Rank 121 and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the 2005 batch.

This achievement represented more than a career advancement; it validated years of sacrifice and justified his promise to Shraddha.

Police Career Progression

Initial Years (2005-2010): Initial postings as ASP, carrying out ground-level policing work in Maharashtra. These formative years allowed Manoj Kumar Sharma to understand both the aspirations and challenges of common citizens and junior officers.

Mid-Career Growth (2010-2020): In Mumbai Police, he has served as DCP (Zone-I) and Additional Commissioner of West Region. His reputation for firm yet fair policing earned him respect and the “Singham” nickname.

Senior Leadership (2020-Present): He was promoted as the Inspector General of Police (IG) and has served in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). He is now serving as IG of Maharashtra Police.

Marital Partnership & Family Life

For IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, that support came from Shraddha Joshi, who today is an IRS officer. In interviews and public forums, Sharma frequently acknowledges how Shraddha’s faith in him, encouragement, and companionship anchored him through his darkest times. Their relationship, which began when Sharma was in low academic standing, became one of mutual transformation. While Sharma worked toward becoming an IPS officer, Shraddha likewise pursued her ambitions in public service. Together they weathered doubts, societal expectations, and personal trials. Their journey is more than romance—it is a partnership built on perseverance.

They have two children, a daughter named Manushree and a son, Manas. The family lives together in Mumbai.

Cinematic Recognition: “12th Fail” (2023)

In late 2023, the film “12th Fail” premiered on December 29, and audiences were moved deeply by the true-life story behind Vikrant Massey’s character.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra is the producer, writer, and director of the Hindi-language biographical trouble film 12th Fail, which is set to release in 2023. It depends on Anurag Pathak’s 2019 non-fiction book of the same name, which tells the true story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, an Indian Police Service officer who overcomes abject poverty to become an officer.

Financial Integrity: Notably, when asked about compensation from the film’s success, Manoj Kumar Sharma revealed that he has not received any compensation for the film. Manoj Kumar Sharma shared in Hindi: “If you ask me personally, I haven’t got anything. This is because I don’t take money from anyone, I go in expecting any financial gain from anyone. I am completely honest.”

This demonstrates Manoj Kumar Sharma’s commitment to public service over personal gain.

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Hara Vahi Jo Lada Nahi”

— He who fights is never defeated.

The legacy of Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS is not yet complete — and that is precisely what makes it so extraordinary. At 50, serving as Inspector General of Police in Maharashtra, the officer who once slept on Delhi’s streets is now one of the most senior law enforcement leaders in India’s most populous state.

Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS is not simply an officer. He is a movement. And the best chapters of his story are still being written.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manoj Sharma IPS rank in UPSC?

Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS secured AIR 121 in the Civil Services Examination (2005).

Which batch does Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS belong to?

He belongs to the 2005 IPS Batch of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Is Manoj Kumar Sharma really a 12th fail?

Yes. He initially failed in Class 12. However, he later completed his education and cleared UPSC, turning failure into motivation.

Who is Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS wife?

His wife is Shraddha Joshi, an IRS officer. Their inspiring journey was portrayed in the film 12th Fail.

What is Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS current posting?

He is serving in a senior administrative position in the Madhya Pradesh cadre (latest publicly available information).

What is Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS age?

He is in his early 50s (exact date of birth is not widely disclosed publicly).

When did Manoj Kumar Sharma become an IPS officer?

He became an IPS officer in 2005, after clearing UPSC with AIR 121.

Is the movie 12th Fail based on a real story?

Yes. The film is based on the real-life journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS and adapted from the book written by Anurag Pathak, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

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