From Scoring 5 Marks In School To Clearing UPSC: IPS Ankita Sharma Goes Viral For Firing AK-47 In Saree During Dussehra

IPS officer Ankita Sharma grabbed the headlines after her video of firing an AK-47 in a saree during the Dussehra arms worship ceremony went viral on social media. While many applauded her confidence and fearless attitude, some questioned the safety of the weapon and shooting outside the firing range. The Dussehra celebration was held at the Rajnandgaon police lines, Chhattisgarh.

Also known as Lady Singham, Ankita is a 2018 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre. During her posting in Chhattisgarh's difficult geographical conditions and Naxal-affected districts, she conducted several operations against criminals and Naxalites.

IPS officer Ankita Sharma, currently serving as Superintendent of Police in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, was seen firing an AK-47 during Vijayadashami celebrations. The incident has drawn attention and raised questions about firearm safety during public festivities. Responsible handling of weapons and adherence to safety protocols remain essential. #AnkitaSharma #IPSOfficer #Chhattisgarh #Vijayadashami #AK47 #Dussehra

— The Daily Jagran (@TheDailyJagran) October 21, 2026

Cracked UPSC In Third Attempt

Ankita cleared UPSC in her third attempt, despite failing consecutively in her previous attempts. In her first attempt, she missed the Main Examination by 15 marks, and failed to clear even the Prelims in her second attempt. However, her grit and determination to become an IPS officer eventually paid off. She achieved All India Rank of 203 in her third attempt in 2018 and was assigned Chhattisgarh as her home cadre.

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Her first posting was in  Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh. Later, she served as the City Superintendent of Police (CSP) in the Azad Chowk area of Raipur. In May 2022, she became the first woman in the district to become the Superintendent of Police in Khairagarh. She successfully commanded the anti-Naxal operations in the Naxal-affected Bastar region. Currently, Ankita is the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.

Image Credit: Instagram

From Scoring 5 Marks In Maths to IPS

Born in 1990, Sharma completed her schooling at St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Durg. During her schooling, Ankita described herself as an average student. In Class 5, she got only five marks out of 100 and had to appear for the supplementary examinations. Her focus on studies shifted when she was in Class 9, following the commerce stream. Later, she scored 92% in her Class 10 examinations and 90% in Class 12.

After her schooling, she pursued B.Com and completed her MBA degree from Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University. Showing her academic excellence, she was the gold medallist in her MBA program. Instead of joining the corporate world, she chose to serve the nation by joining the civil services.

Image Credit: Instagram

Known As Lady Singham

Ankita became famous for leading dangerous missions against the Naxalites in the forests of Chhattisgarh. Her zero tolerance for illegal drugs, gambling, and street fights earned her the name "Lady Singham."

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