IPS Shailja Das: From Saharsa to Bihar Police Leadership
IPS officer Shailja Das, a Bihar-cadre officer who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with AIR 83, has gained widespread social-media attention following a video showing her advocating restraint while police handled a protest in Patna. Her career includes postings in Vaishali and Nalanda, and she is currently reported to be serving as City SP, Patna East.
NETB24
PATNA, BIHAR: IPS officer Shailja Das, a 2022-batch Bihar-cadre officer, has recently drawn public attention after a video from a protest-related law-and-order situation in Patna circulated widely on social media. In the video, she was seen asking police personnel to maintain restraint and respect the right to freedom of expression, while also stressing that force should not be used unless protesters resort to violence.
Early Life and Education
Shailja Das was born on November 7, 1997, in Saharsa, Bihar, to Dr Ajay Das and Archana Das, according to a profile published by Live Hindustan. She completed her early schooling in Saharsa before moving to Delhi for higher education.
She studied at Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, where she reportedly secured 96.8% in Class 12. She subsequently graduated from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi.
UPSC Journey
After completing her graduation, Das prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. According to the published profile, she reached the interview stage in her first attempt in 2020.
She later cleared the Civil Services Examination 2021 with an All India Rank of 83. She was reportedly around 23 years old when she entered the Indian Police Service and was allotted the Bihar cadre.
Police Career
After joining the Bihar cadre, Das served as a trainee IPS officer and was associated with Lalganj Police Station in Vaishali district. She later served as SDPO-1 in Hilsa subdivision of Nalanda district.
According to the same profile, she is currently serving as City SP, Patna East.
Viral Video and Public Attention
Das came into the spotlight after footage from a protest in Patna circulated on social media. In the video, she can be seen telling police personnel to remain restrained while dealing with protesters.
Her reported remarks about freedom of expression and avoiding the use of force unless protesters become violent attracted significant attention online. The episode led to social-media users discussing her approach to handling a tense law-and-order situation.
The viral reaction has also resulted in social-media users referring to her as a “Gen Z Lady Singham”, although this is a social-media description rather than an official designation.
Career at a Glance
- Name: IPS Shailja Das
- Cadre: Bihar
- Batch: 2022
- UPSC CSE Rank: AIR 83 (2021)
- Hometown: Saharsa, Bihar
- Education: DPS R.K. Puram; St. Stephen's College, Delhi
- Reported current posting: City SP, Patna East
- Earlier roles: Trainee IPS, Lalganj; SDPO-1, Hilsa
- Recent attention: Viral video from a Patna protest-related law-and-order situation
