- IPS Tejaswi Satpute is a 2012-batch IPS officer from Maharashtra, currently serving as Dy.Commr. of Police, Zone-V, Mumbai.
- She hails from Shevgao, Ahmednagar, with a modest family background, and was the first girl in her family to pass 10th standard.
- Known for innovative policing, including Operation Parivartan in Solapur to tackle hooch distilleries and a COVID center in Satara.
- Received the FICCI Smart Policing Award in 2022 for her community engagement efforts.
Background
Early Life and Education
Tejaswi Satpute was born in Shevgao, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, into a large family of 27 members with modest financial means. Her father, Balasaheb Satpute, and mother, Krishnabai, a teacher with BA, MA, and pursuing a PhD, supported her education. She was the first girl in her family to pass the 10th standard and topped her 4th standard exam, showing early academic promise. Tejaswi pursued a BSc in Biotechnology from Vidya Pratisthan, Baramati, and later an LLB from ILS Law College, reflecting her diverse interests before settling on civil services.
UPSC Journey
Initially aspiring to be a pilot, then a scientist, and later a judge, Tejaswi faced societal pressure from her small town. Despite this, she cleared the UPSC exam in 2012, joining the Indian Police Service, driven by a desire to serve society.
Career Highlights
Satara and Solapur Contributions
Tejaswi served as SP in Satara, where she established a jumbo oxygen COVID center in five days during the pandemic, equipped with ICU and oxygen beds, ensuring no police officer died post-establishment. She was awarded by ZEE for this. In Solapur Rural, starting October 2020, she launched Operation Parivartan, a strategy combining counseling with raids to shut down 80% of illegal hooch distilleries, rehabilitating over 650 families, and earning the FICCI Smart Policing Award in 2022.
Current Role
As of recent records, she is the Dy.Commr. of Police, Zone-V, Mumbai, posted since November 9, 2022, continuing her legacy of innovative policing.
Community Engagement
Tejaswi empowered the Banjara community by promoting their gomati art and facilitating Flipkart collaborations, fostering economic opportunities and changing community perceptions. She also conducted over 5000 counseling sessions during Operation Parivartan, enhancing police-community trust.
A Memorable Incident
During her posting in Partur district, Tejaswi faced a tense situation alone in her quarters, hearing intruders approach. Her quick thinking and bravery in alerting police personnel highlighted her resilience under pressure.
Detailed Biography of IPS Tejaswi Satpute
IPS Tejaswi Satpute’s journey is a compelling narrative of perseverance, innovation, and community-focused policing, marking her as a trailblazer in the Indian Police Service. This detailed biography, drawn from various sources, provides a comprehensive look at her life, career, and impact.
Early Life and Family Background
Tejaswi Balasaheb Satpute was born in Shevgao, a small town in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, into a family of 27 members. Her modest financial background did not deter her academic aspirations, supported by her father, Balasaheb Satpute, and her mother, Krishnabai, a teacher with BA, MA, and pursuing a PhD. Tejaswi was the first girl in her family to pass the 10th standard, a significant milestone, and topped her 4th standard exam, showcasing early academic excellence.
Educational Journey and Career Aspirations
Her educational path was diverse, reflecting her evolving aspirations. She pursued a BSc in Biotechnology from Vidya Pratisthan, Baramati, and was selected by JNCSR in 2006 as one of 10 students nationwide, the only one from Maharashtra, highlighting her academic prowess. Later, she joined ILS Law College for an LLB. Initially, she dreamed of becoming a pilot, then a scientist, and later a judge, as evidenced by her quote, “Don’t worry, mom, I will either be a judge or a scientist!” However, societal pressure from her small town and confusion from family and friends marked her journey. Ultimately, she found her calling in civil services, clearing the UPSC exam in 2012 and joining the IPS.
Career Trajectory and Notable Achievements
Tejaswi’s career in the IPS has been marked by significant contributions across various postings. As SP in Satara, she demonstrated leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a jumbo oxygen COVID center in just five days, equipped with ICU and oxygen beds. This initiative ensured no Satara police officers died from COVID post-establishment, earning her recognition and an award from ZEE. She also started another hospital in Pandharpur during the second wave, further showcasing her crisis management skills.
In October 2020, she was posted as SP in Solapur Rural, where she faced the challenge of illegal hooch distilleries. She launched Operation Parivartan in September 2021, a four-point action plan combining soft-policing methods like counseling with frequent raids every three days to disrupt the 72-hour hooch production cycle. This operation shut down nearly 80% of haath-bhattis (hand-operated distilleries), rehabilitated over 650 families involved in the trade, and addressed the stigma faced by the Banjara community, notified as ‘criminal tribes’ by the British. She stood as a guarantor for bank loans, facilitated small loans for alternative livelihoods like farming, car repair, and sweet making, and launched Parivartan Udyog, training women for 45 days to operate sewing machines and coordinate orders for shirts and school uniforms. Her efforts led to positive feedback, with the Solapur model adopted by other districts, and she received the FICCI Smart Policing Special Jury Award on September 2, 2022.
Current Posting and Recent Developments
As of the latest records from the Maharashtra Police website, Tejaswi Satpute is currently the Dy.Commr. of Police, Zone-V, Mumbai, posted since November 9, 2022, with additional information noting (IO-13/02/2024), likely related to her tenure. In September 2024, there was a proposed transfer to Pune city as DCP, but due to a stay order on another officer’s transfer, she retained her existing posting temporarily, with the matter pending hearing until October 19, 2024. This reflects the dynamic nature of her career, with potential for further updates.
Community Engagement and Personal Philosophy
Tejaswi’s approach to policing is not just about enforcement but also about transformation. She bridged the gap between police and public, encouraging positive interactions, as seen in her announcement of a scholarship program for underprivileged UPSC aspirants for affordable, high-quality education. Her work with the Banjara community involved promoting their gomati art and facilitating collaborations with Flipkart, providing economic opportunities and changing community perceptions. She conducted over 5000 counseling sessions during Operation Parivartan, addressing families, especially women, senior citizens, and children, to shift perspectives and foster trust. Her philosophy, as articulated, is that prevention should precede cause or causation, with police playing a revolutionary role in society.
A Memorable Incident and Personal Resilience
One particularly telling incident occurred during her initial posting in Partur district, Maharashtra. After a successful combing operation leading to arrests and seizure of illegal weapons, she was alone in her quarters surrounded by trees when she heard several individuals approaching, jumping over the fence. This surge of adrenaline prompted her to alert on-duty police personnel, who responded swiftly, highlighting her bravery and quick thinking under pressure—qualities essential for an IPS officer.
Impact and Legacy
Tejaswi Satpute’s work has had a tangible impact, with positive feedback from superiors and local villagers, such as a woman thanking the police for stopping her in-laws’ hooch-making. Her initiatives, like shortening raid gaps from 15 days to three days, made the clandestine booze trade unprofitable, and her Solapur model was adopted elsewhere. Her story is not just one of personal achievement but also of inspiring others, particularly women in policing, to break barriers and lead with empathy and innovation.
Table: Key Milestones in Tejaswi Satpute’s Career
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Selected by JNCSR | One of 10 students nationwide, only from Maharashtra, during BSc |
| 2012 | Cleared UPSC, joined IPS | Batch of 2012, began civil services career |
| During COVID | Established COVID center in Satara | Jumbo oxygen center in 5 days, ICU and oxygen beds, no police deaths post |
| Oct 2020 | Posted as SP, Solapur Rural | Launched Operation Parivartan in Sep 2021 to tackle hooch distilleries |
| Sep 2022 | Received FICCI Award | Smart Policing Special Jury Award for Operation Parivartan |
| Nov 9, 2022 | Posted as Dy.Commr., Zone-V, Mumbai | Current posting, with tenure note (IO-13/02/2024) |
| Sep 2024 | Proposed transfer to Pune DCP | Stay order on another officer’s transfer, pending hearing until Oct 19, 2024 |
This detailed biography encapsulates Tejaswi Satpute’s journey, highlighting her as a leader who combines enforcement with empathy, leaving a lasting impact on law enforcement and community development in Maharashtra.