For thousands of UPSC aspirants, getting a seat in the Indian Police Service is the culmination of years of relentless preparation. However, for Jagmohan Meena, it was a milestone in a journey defined by taking unconventional decisions. A 2013-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Bhubaneswar, decided to resign at the age of 37, citing personal reasons and long-term career planning.His announcement attracted widespread attention, not only because of the timing, but also because of the path he took. A graduate of IIT Kanpur, a UPSC achiever with All India Rank (AIR) 849 and a Police Medal for Gallantry recipient, Meena has carved out a career that many aspire to. Now, he’s preparing to enter a completely different career chapter.
From IIT Kanpur to Indian Police
Jagmohan Meena was born in Thika district of Rajasthan in 1989. After completing his studies, he passed the highly competitive IIT-JEE examination and entered the famous Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.After graduation, instead of taking the traditional engineering route, he decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This decision paid off when he secured AIR 849 in the 2012 Civil Services Examination.His scores reflect a balanced performance at different stages of the exam:• Written test: 724 points• Personality test (interview): 181 points•Final score: 905 pointsAs per his military rank, he was allotted in Odisha cadre of Indian Police as part of 2013 batch.
A career marked by service and recognition
During his tenure with the IPS, Meena carried out several important police assignments in Odisha. His work in anti-Maoist operations earned him the Police Gallantry Medal 2019, one of the country’s premier honors given to police personnel who display extraordinary courage in the line of duty.At the time of his resignation, he served as DCP of Bhubaneswar, a high-profile post that often places officials at the center of public administration and law and order management.His decision comes amid public debate over recent law and order incidents on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, fueling speculation over the timing of his resignation. Miner made clear, however, that his decision had nothing to do with departmental or political pressure. By his own account, it was a thoughtful and personal decision made after extensive discussions with family and close friends.
Beyond government services
While his resignation has yet to go through the formal approval process, Meena said he intends to explore private sector opportunities after leaving IPS. There are reports that he may join a business with close ties to Rajasthan, although he has mainly described the move as part of a long-term career plan.His journey – from clearing IIT-JEE, succeeding in one of India’s toughest competitive exams, serving as an IPS officer, receiving a gallantry medal and now preparing for a career outside government service – shows that career success does not always follow a single path.For UPSC aspirants and young professionals, Jagmohan Meena’s story is a reminder that every career decision comes with its own aspirations and priorities. While many people dream of entering the civil service, others, even after reaching this milestone, may choose to pursue new challenges when they feel the time is right.