For lakhs of UPSC aspirants, securing a place in the Indian Police Service is the culmination of years of tireless preparation. For Jagmohan Meena, however, it was just one step in a journey defined by making unconventional decisions. The 2013-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, who is serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Bhubaneswar, has decided to quit the post at the age of 37, saying that the move is driven by personal reasons and long-term career planning.His announcement has attracted the attention of many people, not only because of its timing but also because of the way he has followed. A graduate of IIT Kanpur, a UPSC topper with an All India Rank (AIR) 849 and a recipient of the Police Medal for Gallantry, Meena has created a career that many aspire to. Now, he is preparing to enter another professional field.
From IIT Kanpur to Indian Police Service
Born in Rajasthan’s Sikar district in 1989, Jagmohan Meena graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur through the highly competitive IIT-JEE exam.Instead of opting for the common engineering route after graduation, he decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The decision paid off when he scored an AIR 849 in the 2012 Civil Services Examination.The results showed good performance in different areas of the test:• Written Test: 724 max• Personality Test (Interview): 181 marks• Final Score: 905 maxBased on his status, he was assigned to the Odisha division of the Indian Police Service as part of the 2013 batch.
The work of recognition is work and recognition
During her years in IPS, Meena held several important police posts in Odisha. His work against the Maoists earned him the Police Medal for Gallantry in 2019, one of the country’s most important honors for police officers who display exceptional bravery in the line of duty.At the time of his resignation, he served as the Bhubaneswar DCP, a high-ranking post that often places officers between the administration and the law enforcement.His decision came amid public debate following recent incidents in a case outside Bhubaneswar, which led to speculation about the timing of his resignation. However, Meena has made it clear that her decision has nothing to do with departmental or political pressure. According to what he himself said, it is a carefully considered decision that a person makes after discussing with his family and close friends.
Looking beyond government services
Although the resignation did not complete the official process, Meena has indicated that she wants to explore opportunities in the private sector after leaving IPS. Reports suggest that he may join the company’s joint venture with a close relative in Rajasthan, although he has described the move as part of a long-term career plan.His journey—from clearing the IIT-JEE, topping one of India’s toughest exams, serving as an IPS officer, receiving the Gallantry Medal and now planning a career outside the civil service—shows that professional success doesn’t always follow one path.For UPSC aspirants and young professionals, Jagmohan Meena’s story is a reminder that every career choice has its own aspirations and priorities. Although many dream of entering the public sector, some, even after reaching that level, may choose to pursue new challenges when they believe the time is right.