Meet man who was once a tempo driver, worked as peon, slept with beggars, cracked UPSC exam to become IPS, his AIR was…

IPS Success Story: Have you heard of a story where a man has qualified for a competitive examination with no resources available? Well, poverty is a great teacher that imparts valuable life lessons. This is a success story of a man who once drove a tempo, sold milk for two years, and even slept alongside beggars. Against all odds, he persevered and ultimately cleared the UPSC examination, transforming his life in the process. His remarkable journey culminated in an impressive All India Rank (AIR), proving that determination and resilience can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Who hasn’t seen the film 12th Fail? This inspiring story is adapted from Anurag Pathak’s best-selling novel, which chronicles the true-life journey of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma. Actor Vikrant Massey, the film’s lead, garnered significant acclaim for his outstanding acting and performance.
Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, ’12th Fail’ was based on Anurag Pathak’s bestselling novel about the journey of Sharma and his wife Shraddha Joshi, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. Read to know the motivational story of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, who through his grit and determination, overcame numerous challenges to successfully clear the UPSC examination.
’12th Fail’ revolves around UPSC aspirants and is based on real-life experiences. It draws from the gritty struggles of millions of students who attempt the UPSC entrance exam.
’12th Fail’ Film IPS Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma Educational Qualification
Born in 1977 in Bilgaon, a town in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Kumar Sharma came from a humble background. Reportedly, his father was in the Department of Agriculture. His family had to suffer financial problems. Inspite of the setbacks such as failing his 12th grade and achieving a third division in grades 9 and 10, Manoj Kumar Sharma ultimately decided to clear one of India’s most competitive exams, the Civil Services Examination. While working as a tempo driver in Gwalior and grappling with severe financial difficulties, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of his ambitions.
IPS Manoj Sharma has authored a book titled Twelfth Fail, in which he shares his experiences of studying while driving a tempo to make ends meet. His financial situation was so dire that his house lacked a roof. Manoj revealed that he even had to sleep alongside beggars at times. While working as a library peon in Delhi, Manoj immersed himself in the biographies of notable figures like Lincoln, Muktbodh, and Gorky. These stories fueled his determination and provided him with deep insights into the realities of life.
Despite setbacks, IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma cracked UPSC in his fourth attempt and achieved an All India Rank of 121. Having garnered nicknames like ‘Singham’ and ‘Simba’ due to his powerful nature at work, IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma has been promoted to the rank of Inspector General (IG) of the Maharashtra Police from the post of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

ASP से शुरू हुई यात्रा आज के भारत सरकार के ऑर्डर से IG बनने तक जा पहुँची है। इस लंबी यात्रा में साथ देने के लिए मन से सभी का आभार pic.twitter.com/LEITH1OVVp
— Manoj Sharma (@ManojSharmaIPS) March 15, 2024

IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma’s love story with IRS Shraddha Joshi Sharma is nothing short of cinematic. Shraddha has played a crucial role in keeping him motivated and steadfast in his determination to conquer one of the most challenging competitive examinations in the country.