Cracking UPSC on First Attempt During Pregnancy, How Manzil Saini Became India's First Married Woman IPS Overcoming the physical demands of pregnancy, Delhi School of Economics gold medallist Manzil Saini cleared the UPSC exam on her very first try to become the first married woman IPS officer in India. When confronted with daunting personal obligations and physical trials, many individuals step away from high-stakes ambitions. However, select leaders choose to convert those exact hurdles into defining milestones. In the history of Indian civil services, the journey of Manzil Saini stands out as a remarkable testament to grit and endurance. Balancing the rigorous physical demands of pregnancy, she prepared for the nation's toughest examination, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, and conquered it on her first attempt. Her success paved the way for her induction as the country's first married woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. Widely recognized in administrative circles as 'Lady Singham', she earned a formidable reputation for confronting entrenched criminal syndicates and handling high-pressure assignments across sensitive districts. Academic Excellence from St. Stephen's to Delhi School of Economics Long before entering uniform, Manzil Saini established a stellar academic track record. Born in Delhi in 1975, she was known for her intellectual aptitude from early childhood. Her higher education commenced at Delhi University's prestigious St. Stephen's College, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Physics. Building on her strong foundation in science, she subsequently enrolled at the renowned Delhi School of Economics to pursue higher studies. Demonstrating exceptional analytical capability, she topped the institution and was honored with a gold medal. Her academic performance reflected a rare combination of focus and discipline that would later underpin her approach to police administration. Three Years in Corporate Life and Choosing Public Service Following her post-graduation, Manzil Saini embarked on a career in the private sector. She worked with a corporate firm for 3 years, gaining valuable corporate and operational experience. It was during her time at the Delhi School of Economics that she crossed paths with a fellow classmate; their bond deepened over time, eventually leading to their marriage. Despite enjoying a comfortable and promising career in the corporate world alongside a settled domestic life, an inner calling urged her toward national service and public governance. The prospect of directly serving society prompted her to leave corporate comforts behind and prepare for the formidable civil services arena. Navigating Motherhood and the 2005 Civil Services Examination The year 2005 brought a double challenge as Manzil Saini was pregnant. The phase of bringing a new life into the world entails severe physical fatigue, hormonal shifts, and continuous health care, circumstances under which candidates typically delay demanding pursuits. Instead of deferring her goals, she structured her intense preparation routines around her pregnancy. Confronting the vast syllabus with mental fortitude, she appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and succeeded on her first attempt. This feat secured her entry into the Indian Police Service as its first married female officer. Allocated the Uttar Pradesh cadre, she soon stepped into active field duties, beginning her operational career as an Assistant Superintendent in Moradabad. Busting the Moradabad Kidney Racket and Gaining the 'Lady Singham' Tag Her initial policing stint in Moradabad quickly propelled her into the national limelight. In 2008, she led an investigation that dismantled an illicit kidney transplant racket operating across the Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram industrial corridors. The criminal syndicate systematically targeted impoverished and vulnerable daily-wage workers by promising legitimate jobs. Victims were then sedated with intoxicating injections, and their kidneys were surgically extracted without consent to be sold to wealthy domestic and international clients. The complex, cross-border network demanded fearless policing. Following this high-profile bust, her no-nonsense enforcement approach earned her the popular moniker 'Lady Singham'. In subsequent years, she took charge of notoriously sensitive and challenging districts, serving as district police chief in Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Badaun, and Etawah. Becoming Lucknow's First Female SSP and the Gallantry Recognition In May 2016, Manzil Saini achieved another administrative milestone upon being appointed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow. This marked the first instance in the state's administrative history that a female officer was entrusted with the overall police command of such a vital and highly protected metropolis. Her frontline bravery was formally recognized in 2024 when she was conferred the President's Police Medal for Gallantry. The decoration acknowledged her decisive leadership during a perilous 2017 armed encounter in Meerut, where police successfully rescued the kidnapped doctor Shrikant from armed abductors. This award made her only the second female IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre to receive the prestigious gallantry honor. The Shravan Sahu Case and Embracing Public Accountability Her tenure in Lucknow also witnessed testing trials regarding administrative responsibility. In February 2017, an elderly businessman named Shravan Sahu was shot dead in broad daylight. Sahu was the principal witness fighting for justice in his son's murder trial and had repeatedly petitioned police authorities for armed protection (gunners), citing imminent danger to his life, which was not delivered in time. In the aftermath of the tragic killing, SSP Manzil Saini stepped before the media cameras and openly acknowledged that the security lapse represented a significant failure on the part of the police administration. The case was subsequently investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which held her accountable for supervisory lapses, leading to departmental proceedings. Her willingness to own institutional shortcomings publicly alongside celebrated operational achievements remains a defining chapter in her policing legacy. What this means for you This professional journey offers clear practical guidance for civil service aspirants and working professionals managing critical personal milestones alongside ambitious career goals. • For Female Aspirants: Important life transitions such as marriage or pregnancy do not have to derail high-level competitive ambitions. Maintaining disciplined study routines enables candidates to successfully manage dual commitments simultaneously. • For Career Changers: Spending three years in the corporate sector demonstrated that private sector professionals can transition into governance roles at any point. Prior industry exposure adds structured problem-solving skills to administrative leadership. • For Public Accountability: Openly acknowledging administrative lapses alongside celebrated operational victories establishes ethical leadership benchmarks. Such transparency reinforces public trust in law enforcement institutions during complex crises. • For Students and Scholars: Sustained academic excellence from undergraduate studies through post-graduation proves that fundamental subject mastery drives competitive success. Strategic preparation and rigorous time allocation remain essential to cracking premier exams on the initial attempt. Why this happened The notable trajectory of Manzil Saini was forged by her academic pedigree, decisive enforcement actions, and an adherence to administrative accountability. • Determination Amid Physical Constraints: After three years in corporate employment, she chose civil services and tackled the arduous UPSC examination in 2005 while pregnant. Unwavering discipline allowed her to crack the exam on her first attempt despite significant health stresses. • Direct Strike on Organized Crime: In 2008 while posted in Moradabad, she uncovered an interstate kidney transplant racket preying on destitute workers across Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram. Busting this dangerous illicit network firmly established her reputation as 'Lady Singham'. • Frontline Operational Bravery: She directed the high-risk 2017 police operation in Meerut that secured the safe release of the abducted doctor Shrikant, earning the President's Police Medal for Gallantry in 2024. • Historic Command and Institutional Transparency: Appointed in May 2016 as Lucknow's first female SSP, she commanded high-profile security zones. Her public admission of police failure in the Shravan Sahu murder case highlighted a rare willingness to accept institutional lapses. Questions & Answers 1. When did Manzil Saini clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination? Manzil Saini cleared the UPSC examination on her very first attempt in 2005 while she was pregnant. 2. Which educational institutions did IPS Manzil Saini attend? She completed her graduation in Physics from St. Stephen's College and earned a gold medal during her post-graduation at the Delhi School of Economics. 3. Why was Manzil Saini nicknamed 'Lady Singham'? She earned the moniker after busting an interstate illegal kidney transplant racket in 2008 during her posting in Moradabad. 4. When and why was Manzil Saini awarded the President's Police Medal for Gallantry? She was awarded the medal in 2024 for leading the 2017 armed encounter in Meerut that safely rescued kidnapped doctor Shrikant. 5. What administrative record did Manzil Saini establish in Lucknow? In May 2016, she was appointed the Senior Superintendent of Police of Lucknow, becoming the first female officer to hold the post. 6. What stance did Manzil Saini take regarding the Shravan Sahu murder case? She publicly admitted before the media that the failure to provide security to the threatened businessman was a major lapse by the police. Inspiration & Lessons Manzil Saini's life illustrates that when personal resolve is unyielding, bodily limits and shifting domestic obligations cannot stall ambitious dreams. • Transforming Constraints into Strengths: Rather than treating the physical strain of pregnancy as a roadblock, she harnessed the period as an exercise in mental resilience. Pursuing high ambitions requires overcoming physical discomfort through unyielding self-discipline. • Choosing Public Purpose Over Comfort: Leaving an established corporate career and comfortable domestic rhythm to enter public service demonstrates that profound satisfaction stems from societal impact. Real growth requires the courage to pivot toward meaningful service. • Fearless Operational Commitment: Dismantling deeply entrenched criminal rackets without bowing to outside pressures exemplifies true administrative leadership. Upholding the rule of law requires decisive, fearless intervention in the face of organized crime. • Owning Administrative Shortcomings: Stepping forward to acknowledge security oversights alongside operational successes displays rare ethical character. True accountability demands accepting institutional responsibility rather than deflecting blame during crises. https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/garbhavastha-ke-daurana-pahale-hi-prayasa-men-pasa-ki-upsc-banin-desha-ki-pahali-vivahita-mahila-ips-38356 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.