Meet Aparajita Rai who Overcame Personal Challenges to become Sikkim’s First Female IPS Officer

Coming across stories of people who have overcome their obstacles, no matter how heartbreaking they were, always stirs awe in our hearts. One such story is of Aparajita Rai, who despite her losses and difficult beginnings, has become the first female IPS officer from Sikkim.

A Childhood Marked by Loss and Determination

In the tranquil hills of Sikkim, a young Aparajita Rai grew up with dreams as expansive as the Himalayan horizons. Her life, however, was deeply impacted by the untimely loss of her father, a divisional forest officer, when she was just eight years old. When this tragedy was met with indifference from the government authorities, it acquainted her with the apathy that exists in the system. This experience instilled in her both resilience and compassion – qualities that would come to define her illustrious career.

Academic Excellence: Laying the Foundation

Even after going through a life-changing incident like that, Aparajita did not let it become a reason to dull her efforts. And her path to achieving excellence began early with her academic life. 

She graduated from Tashi Namgyal Academy in 2004 with an outstanding score of 95% in the ICS board examinations. Her stellar performance earned her the prestigious Founder’s Medal, awarded for all-rounder excellence, and the Best Girl All-Rounder Shrimati Ratna Pradhan Memorial Trophy from her school. 

With her sights set on understanding the system to beckon the needed change, Aparajita pursued a BA LLB (Hons) degree at the West Bengal National University of Judicial Sciences. Her hard work bore fruit when she won Gold Medals in Public Administration and Jurisprudence, adding another feather to her cap.

The Road to Becoming an IPS Officer

Now came the step that would enable her to achieve the goals she had set for herself. But Aparajita’s entry to the Indian Police Service (IPS) was far from easy. Her first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2009 did not yield the desired results. But the setback only strengthened her resolve. In her second attempt in 2010, she secured a remarkable score of 768. Though it was a respectable achievement even then, this inspiring woman wanted to do even better. A year later, her third attempt saw her earning an even better rank of 358.  

This momentous success not only a personal milestone but also one for all the women as it marked her as the first female IPS officer from the state of Sikkim.

Excellence at the Police Academy

Once Aparajita joined the National Police Academy, she proved her mettle time and again and earned several accolades. She won the Best Lady Outdoor Probationer Award, given by the 1958 Batch of IPS Officers. Her excellence in field combat was recognized with the Shri Umesh Chandra Trophy, and her immaculate discipline earned her the Best Turnout Award from the 55th Batch of Senior Officers. Even her linguistic abilities did not go unnoticed and resulted in her receiving the West Bengal Government Trophy for proficiency in Bengali.

A Leader in Service and Sports

Aparajita Rai is currently serving in the West Bengal cadre, where she holds a crucial position as an SS in the Intelligence Bureau in Siliguri, North Bengal. Her work involves navigating the complexities of law enforcement in a diverse and challenging region.
Despite her demanding career, this inspiring woman is a passionate sports enthusiast. She recently showcased her athletic prowess as the runner-up in the All India Police Badminton Championship. It is her indomitable spirit that continues to guide her and fuels her ability to balance work and personal pursuits.  
Aparajita Rai’s journey is one of unwavering grit, courage, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From a young girl navigating personal loss to becoming a symbol of hope and empowerment, she has shown that no dream is too big. As she has said in an interview, “Anyone who comes to me should not face the same harassment or agony which people generally encounter in government offices.”
 It is her sheer determination that colors every aspect of her life with success, and her sincere hard work that has earned her the respect of the entire nation. Let Aparajita Rai’s story of becoming the first female IPS officer from Sikkim inspire us to chase our own dreams. And may her noble goals be a reminder that the future is bright as long as it is filled with people like her.

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