Manoj Kumar Sharma is an IPS officer who secured All India Rank 121 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Manoj is one of the most inspiring stories in UPSC and real life. Even after failing in Class 12, with hard work and dedication, he became an IPS officer in the 2005 batch. Many people came to know about Manoj Kumar Sharma after the movie 12th Fail. Through this film, people understood how he cleared the UPSC exam despite facing many struggles. His life story is also written in a book by his friend Anurag Pathak.
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma’s journey shows that failure does not decide your future. From working small jobs in Delhi during his preparation days to becoming a senior police officer, Manoj Kumar proved that consistency and self-belief are more important than background or marks. As of 2026, he continues to serve in the Indian Police Service and remains a strong motivation for UPSC aspirants across India.
Quick Info – Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS
| Fields | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manoj Kumar Sharma |
| Date of Birth | 3 July 1975 |
| Birthplace | Bilgaon, Morena District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Age (as of 2026) | 51 Years |
| Education | B.A. Graduated |
| IPS Batch | 2005 (Maharashtra Cadre) |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 121 |
| Attempts | Fourth Attempt |
| Current Posting | Maharashtra Police / CISF (Aviation Security Domain) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Shraddha Joshi (IRS Officer) |
| Children | Daughter – Manushree, Son – Manas |
| Parents | Father – Shri Ramveer Sharma |
| Famous For | Real-life story behind 12th Fail |
Manoj Sharma Age, Early Life and Education
Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS was born on 3 July 1975 in Bilgaon village of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. As of 2026, He is 51 years old. Manoj grew up in a simple family where financial conditions were not strong. His early life was full of struggles, but those challenges later shaped the personality of Manoj Kumar.
The family of Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS, often faced serious financial problems. His school record was not strong. Manoj passed Class 9 and 10 in the third division. Sharma failed in Class 12 in all subjects except Hindi. At that time, a strict SDM stopped cheating in exams, and Manoj Kumar IPS failed honestly. What looked like the end of his education became the turning point of his life.
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Manoj Sharma IPS Wife and Family
Manoj Kumar Sharma is married to Shraddha Joshi, who is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. Their relationship started during his UPSC preparation days when he was struggling and facing failures. She supported him and motivated him to continue his journey. They got married on 5 December 2005.
They have two children, a daughter named Manushree and a son named Manas. Even though both hold senior government positions, they live a simple and disciplined life. Many people see their journey as one of the most inspiring partnerships in the civil services.
His father’s name is Shri Ramveer Sharma. He worked very hard to provide the best possible education for his son despite financial difficulties.
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma UPSC Journey
After completing his B.A., Manoj Kumar Sharma moved to Delhi for UPSC preparation. Life in Mukherjee Nagar was not easy for him. To survive, Manoj worked small jobs like driving a tempo and working as a peon in a library. His UPSC journey was full of struggles. In one attempt, he cleared the prelims but failed in the mains. In other attempts, he could not clear the prelims. Still, Sharma never gave up.
In his third attempt, there is a famous incident. In the exam, a question was asked about tourism, but Manoj Kumar Sharma misunderstood it and wrote an answer about terrorism. This mistake cost him marks and he could not clear that attempt. However, instead of feeling defeated, Manoj learned from this error and prepared more carefully for the next attempt.
Later, he joined Drishti IAS for guidance and focused seriously on answer-writing practice. In 2005, Manoj Kumar Sharma secured All India Rank 121 in the Civil Services Examination and was selected for the Indian Police Service. He was allotted the Maharashtra cadre and cleared the exam at the age of 30.
| Attempt | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st Attempt | Cleared Prelims, failed Mains |
| 2nd Attempt | Failed Prelims |
| 3rd Attempt | Failed Prelims |
| 4th Attempt (2005) | Success – AIR 121 |
After selection, Sharma completed his training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy and was commissioned as an IPS officer on 22 August 2005.
Manoj Sharma IPS Current Posting And More
As of 2026, Manoj Kumar Sharma is serving as an Inspector General (IG) rank officer. He is currently posted in a senior security role and has also served as Chief Airport Security Officer (CASO) at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport during his deputation with CISF. His role includes handling high-level security operations, airport safety management, and coordination with multiple intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
IPS Manoj Sharma belongs to the 2005 batch of the Indian Police Service and was allotted the Maharashtra cadre. Over the years, Sharma has held several important positions in Maharashtra Police, including Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and Additional Commissioner of Police in Mumbai. Manoj journey from ground-level policing to senior leadership reflects steady growth in responsibility.
Apart from his current posting, IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma is widely known for his inspiring life story, especially after the release of the film 12th Fail. However, beyond the movie fame, Sharma continues to focus on discipline, integrity, and public service in his professional life.
Work Experience (List)
| Year / Period | Position |
|---|---|
| 2005–2010 | Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Maharashtra |
| 2010–2015 | Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mumbai |
| 2015–2020 | Additional Commissioner of Police, Mumbai |
| 2020–2024 | Senior Officer (Deputation), CISF – Aviation Security |
| 2024 | Promoted as Inspector General (IG) |
| 2024–Present | Chief Airport Security Officer (CASO), Mumbai |
12th Fail Biopic on Manoj Sharma IPS
In 2023, director Vidhu Vinod Chopra brought Manoj’s story to life through the film 12th Fail, based on the book by Anurag Pathak.
| Film Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2023 |
| Lead Actor | Vikrant Massey |
| Based On | Real life of Manoj Kumar Sharma |
| Genre | Biographical Drama |
| Box Office | ₹66+ Crore (Approx.) |
Remarkably, Manoj Kumar Sharma stated that he did not take any money for the film made on his life. His statement — “I am completely honest. I don’t take money from anyone.” — further strengthened public admiration.
“Hara Vahi Jo Lada Nahi” — He who does not fight is the only one who loses.
Social Media Presence
Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS, is quite active on social media. After the release of the 12th Fail movie, he gained massive popularity, and his follower count increased significantly. He now has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram. His official Instagram username is @drmanoj_kumarsharma.ips, and he is also active on Twitter under the handle @manojsharmaips, where he regularly connects with the public and shares updates.
The story of Manoj Kumar Sharma is not just about becoming an IPS officer. It is about redefining what is possible for someone who failed in school, lived in poverty, and faced repeated rejection.
Today, as an Inspector General of Police, he represents hope to every aspirant in a small town who doubts their ability.
