Key Points ;
- Background: IPS Ehtesham Waquarib, a 2015 batch Indian Police Service officer from Jharkhand, transitioned from a medical career to policing, showcasing dedication to public service.
- Education: He holds an MBBS and MD in Community Medicine from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) before joining the IPS.
- Career Highlights: Ehtesham has served in Naxal-affected areas, led COVID-19 containment efforts, and is currently tackling cybercrime in Jamtara, significantly reducing its cybercrime ranking.
- Recent Efforts: As SP of Jamtara since August 2024, he has led Operation Cyber Enjoy, resulting in over 200 arrests and innovative community initiatives like converting a police station into a library.
- Inspiration: His journey from a humble background in Giridih, Jharkhand, to a multifaceted IPS officer inspires UPSC aspirants and public servants.
Early Life and Education
Ehtesham Waquarib, born in Giridih, Jharkhand, grew up in a modest family with his father employed as a clerk at Central Coalfields Limited. His early education in a local Hindi medium school laid a foundation of resilience. He later attended DAV Public School for his secondary education and pursued his 10+2 at AMU’s Senior Secondary School. His academic journey culminated in earning an MBBS and MD in Community Medicine from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, equipping him with expertise in public health.
Career Transition
Before donning the khaki uniform, Ehtesham worked as a doctor with the WHO, focusing on community medicine. His aspiration to address grassroots issues and influence policy led him to the UPSC, where he secured an All India Rank of 576 in 2014, joining the IPS after initially qualifying for the Indian Revenue Service in 2013.
Policing Achievements
Ehtesham’s postings in Jharkhand, including Chatra, Koderma, and Jamshedpur, highlight his versatility. In Chatra, he tackled illegal sand trading, while in Jamshedpur, his 60-day COVID-19 plan achieved a ‘Green Zone’ status. In Koderma, he provided medical consultations during the second COVID-19 wave. Since August 2024, as SP of Jamtara, he has spearheaded efforts against cyber fraud, reducing the district’s notoriety through raids and awareness campaigns.
Current Role
In Jamtara, Ehtesham’s Operation Cyber Enjoy has led to significant arrests and community engagement, including transforming an abandoned police station into a library. His work has lowered Jamtara’s cybercrime ranking, earning him recognition as a transformative leader.
From Medicine to Policing: The Inspiring Journey of IPS Ehtesham Waquarib
IPS Ehtesham Waquarib, a 2015 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Jharkhand cadre, exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a commitment to public service. His journey from a medical professional to a dynamic police officer tackling Naxalism, pandemics, and cybercrime is a testament to his multifaceted talents and unwavering resolve to serve society.
Early Life and Education
Born in Giridih, Jharkhand, a region rich in minerals yet plagued by poverty, Ehtesham grew up in a humble household. His father, a clerk at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), supported his early education in a local Hindi medium school until the 5th standard. Recognizing the need for better opportunities, Ehtesham transitioned to DAV Public School for his 6th to 10th standard under the CBSE curriculum.
His academic journey took a significant leap when he pursued his 10+2 at the Senior Secondary School, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), residing in Agha Khan Hostel, Sulaiman Hall. At AMU’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, he earned his MBBS, followed by an MD in Community Medicine, equipping him with expertise in public health and epidemiology. His time at AMU not only shaped his academic prowess but also instilled a sense of discipline and purpose.
Transition to Civil Services
Before joining the IPS, Ehtesham worked as a doctor in Community Medicine with the World Health Organization (WHO), contributing to global health initiatives. However, his aspiration to address grassroots issues and influence policy decisions drove him to pursue a career in civil services. His UPSC journey was marked by perseverance: in 2012, he cleared the prelims, mains, and interview but was not selected. Undeterred, he qualified for the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) in 2013. While undergoing IRS training, he attempted the UPSC exam again, securing an All India Rank of 576 in 2014, earning his place in the IPS.
Ehtesham prepared for the UPSC at Hamdard Study Circle in Delhi, utilizing its resources like weekly tests and guest lectures. He chose Medical Science as his optional subject, recommending texts like BD Chaurasia for Anatomy and Parks for Public Health. His advice to aspirants emphasizes hard work, early decision-making, and a multifaceted personality through activities like sports, debating, and quizzing.
IPS Career: A Blend of Policing and Public Health
After training at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel National Police Academy, Ehtesham was posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Chatra, a Naxal-affected district 130 km from Ranchi. He viewed the challenges of Naxalism as opportunities, stating, “Being posted in a Naxal-affected district, I see these challenges as an opportunity to grow” . His tenure in Chatra included a significant operation against illegal inter-state sand trading, leading to the seizure of over 100 heavy vehicles and the arrest of 30 individuals, including drivers and sand mafias.
COVID-19 Response
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ehtesham served as SP (Rail) in Jamshedpur GRP, leading the containment-cum-surveillance team in East Singhbhum, a district with a population of 23 lakh. Leveraging his medical expertise, he devised a 60-day plan that included equipping hospitals, training healthcare professionals, and implementing aggressive contact tracing. His efforts resulted in no positive cases for 28 days, positioning East Singhbhum as a ‘Green Zone’ . He collaborated with XLRI Jamshedpur for training and introduced innovations like mobile sample collection booths and telemedicine.
Current Role: Combating Cybercrime in Jamtara
Since August 2024, Ehtesham has been the Superintendent of Police in Jamtara, a district infamous for cyber fraud. His mission to reclaim Jamtara from its notoriety has been transformative. Using the Pratibimb portal for hotspot mapping, he identified Karmatand and Narayanpur as fraud origins. He formed a 25-officer special task force, leading to over 200 arrests in six months through frequent raids .
His initiative, Operation Cyber Enjoy, combines enforcement with community engagement. A notable achievement was uncovering a nationwide fraud racket involving malicious APK files, resulting in six arrests and the recovery of devices linked to losses of Rs. 100 crores. Ehtesham has emphasized stricter KYC checks with banks and SIM providers to curb fraud tools. His awareness drives, conducted every Saturday in villages and twice weekly at police stations, engage local influencers to educate the public.
In a unique initiative, he converted an abandoned police station in Karmatand into a library, where officers volunteer to teach, and aspirants gather to study, fostering community development. These efforts have reduced Jamtara’s cybercrime ranking from the top 5 to 14th, marking a significant achievement.
Personal Interests and Advice
Ehtesham, now 34, enjoys reading and traveling. He advises UPSC aspirants to develop a well-rounded personality through co-curricular activities and to approach their goals with energy and seriousness . His active presence on social media, including an X post expressing condolences for a plane crash , and appearances on platforms like DD News for cyber awareness (Instagram), reflect his commitment to public engagement.
Conclusion
IPS Ehtesham Waquarib’s journey from a doctor to a dynamic IPS officer is a story of resilience and service. His ability to blend medical expertise with administrative acumen has made him a standout leader in Jharkhand. From tackling Naxalism in Chatra to managing pandemics in Jamshedpur and Koderma, and now leading a cybercrime crackdown in Jamtara, Ehtesham’s contributions inspire countless individuals. His story is a beacon for UPSC aspirants and anyone striving to make a positive impact.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ehtesham Waquarib |
| Batch | 2015 IPS, Jharkhand Cadre |
| Education | MBBS, MD (Community Medicine), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU |
| Previous Career | Doctor, World Health Organization (WHO) |
| UPSC Journey | AIR 576 (2014), previously qualified for IRS (2013) |
| Key Postings | ASP Chatra, SP Jamshedpur (GRP), SP Koderma, SP Jamtara (since Aug 2024) |
| Major Achievements | – Led COVID-19 containment in East Singhbhum, achieving ‘Green Zone’ status |
| – Provided medical consultations during second COVID-19 wave in Koderma | |
| – Reduced Jamtara’s cybercrime ranking through Operation Cyber Enjoy | |
| Notable Initiatives | – Operation Cyber Enjoy: 200+ arrests, community engagement |
| – Converted Karmatand police station into a library | |
| Personal Interests | Reading, traveling |