The inspiring journey of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma was documented on the big screen in the 2023 Bollywood film ’12th fail’, where the main character, inspired by the remarkable IPS officer, is played by actor Vikrant Massey.
Published: August 1, 2025 8:00 PM IST
IPS Success Story: IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, the inspiration behind the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Bollywood film “12th Fail” was recently promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Law and Order in the Maharashtra Police, after his promotion was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for IPS officers of his batch.
He was previously posted as the Additional Commissioner in the Mumbai Police.
While the IPS officer has become a famous internet personality in India in recent years, especially after his life journey was captured on the big screen in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film ’12th fail’, there was a time when Manoj Kumar Sharma battled dire financial crisis in his journey to become a celebrated civil servant.
Who is IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma?
Born in a low-income home in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Kumar Sharma had a childhood filled with struggles and little to no resources, due to the family’s dire financial situation. Growing up, Manoj was a below-average student at best, and struggled in school, barely managing to pass Class 10th by reportedly resorting to cheating in some subjects, and then failing to clear Class 12th in his first attempt.
As he stepped into adulthood, the financial condition of Manoj’s family deteriorated even further, forcing him to give up on his dreams of receiving a proper education, and making something of his life. Manoj Kumar began to work odd jobs, working as an auto-rickshaw driver alongside his brother, and later as a peon, to support his family and fund his education.
What inspired Manoj Kumar Sharma to become an IPS officer?
A turning point in Manoj Kumar’s life came when the local police uprooted and seized the tent he and his family had turned into a makeshift hut, citing incomplete paperwork. The incident triggered a chain of events that led him to embark on his journey of becoming a civil servant.
As the story goes, Manoj visited the local District Magistrate’s office after the cops had seized the family’s tent home, and there he began inquiring about how to become a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
But the road ahead was far more difficult than Manoj had anticipated, especially for someone like with almost zero resources to spend on coaching and text books required to study for UPSC exams. At one point, Manoj Kumar had to sleep among beggars at a local temple because he did not have a home or any money to spend on lodging.
How Manoj Kumar Sharma achieved his UPSC dream?
Despite the hardships, Manoj Kumar Sharma never faltered in his resolve to clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) , and ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a civil servant in 2005 when he cleared India’s toughest recruitment exam with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 121, and was accorded the Indian Police Service (IPS).
After achieving the impossible, Manoj has not stopped working hard and continues to work diligently as an honest IPS officer, which has now led him to the coveted post of Inspector General (IG) in the Maharashtra Police, a clear testament to his dedication and perseverance and hard work.
The inspiring life journey of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma was documented on the big screen in the 2023 Bollywood film ’12th fail’, where the main character, inspired by the remarkable IPS officer, is played by actor Vikrant Massey.
