Manoj Kumar Sharma

Manoj Kumar Sharma (born 3 July 1975) is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 2005 batch, assigned to the Maharashtra cadre. He currently holds the ranks of Inspector General of Police in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Sharma hails from an impoverished village in Chambal, an area known for its history of dacoity. His struggle to become an IPS officer amidst poverty was the subject of the book Twelfth Fail by Anurag Pathak, which subsequently became the film 12th Fail (2023).

Early education
Following his early education at a local school, Sharma successfully progressed through the eighth grade and later pursued his studies at Maharani Lakshmi Bai Government College of Excellence in Gwalior. However, his academic path encountered an unforeseen obstacle during the 12th grade exams.

Subsequently, he gained a B.A. in Hindi and history. Sharma faced numerous challenges in his pursuit of becoming an IPS officer. After several unsuccessful attempts at the Civil Services Examination, he finally succeeded on his fourth attempt, securing rank 121.

Career
Sharma is an Indian Police Service (IPS) from the 2005 batch, assigned to the Maharashtra cadre. He was promoted as the Inspector General of Police (IG) and currently serves in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Personal life
Manoj Kumar Sharma married Shraddha Joshi Sharma, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. They have two children, a daughter and a son.

In popular culture
The 2023 film 12th Fail was based on Sharma's life, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It features Vikrant Massey as Sharma. The film received widespread critical acclaim.