Cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, became IPS officer with AIR 51, worked in Bollywood films, her name is..., now posted at..
Every year, millions of candidates take the Civil Services Examination and only a small percentage successfully pass.
Who is this IPS officer who cracked UPSC in her first attempt and also worked in Bollywood?
Born in October 1980 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, IPS officer Simala Prasad has a remarkable lineage. Her mother, Mehrunnisa Parvez, is an eminent author and writer in the area of literature in Indian languages, while her father, Bhagirath Prasad, served as an IAS officer. Mehrunnisa Parvez published rich content encompassing several novels and short stories such as Amma, Adam aur Havva, Tehaniyon par Dhoop, Galat Purush, Phalguni (1978), Antim Chadayee (1982), Sone Ka Besar (1991), Ayodhya Se Vapsi, Samara. Mehrunnisa Parvez was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2005 for her contribution to literature.
IPS Simala Prasad finished her primary education at St. Joseph Co-Ed School, Bhopal, and went on to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and a Master's degree in Sociology from Barkatullah University.
She first cleared the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) exam and appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Upon her appointment, she started preparing for UPSC Civil Services Examination through self-study mode. After hard work, she cleared the UPSC CSE exam in her very first attempt in 2010 and attained an All India Rank (AIR) of 51 at the young age of 22.
Apart from her career as a UPSC officer, Simala Prasad also ventured into the world of Bollywood. IPS Simala Prasad stepped into the film industry, as she reportedly played the lead role in the movie 'The Narmada Story,' which will also feature Raghubir Yadav and Mukesh Tiwari.
On casting the officer of 2010 batch IPS, Simala Prasad, Filmmaker Zaigham Imam was quoted as saying by news agency IANS, 'It was pure luck. We didn't plan it this way. Initially, we considered many names and even conducted screen tests. When IPS Simala Prasad's name came up, we had to think deeply because the script demanded a special kind of seriousness. Our character wasn't typical; it required authenticity.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
RRU helps set tune in martial music's Indian homecoming
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: The next time you see the armed forces on a parade ground, chances are high that you might hear 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja,' the anthem of the Indian National Army, instead of 'Colonel Bogey March' from 1914. Marking a cultural shift, the armed forces bands in 2022 embraced 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' during the Beating Retreat ceremony at Kartavya Path instead of the traditional 'Abide with Me'. Aiming to take the initiative further is the newly inaugurated School of NCC and Police Martial Music Band (SNPMMB) at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). At the RRU school, officials aim to train the state police and central armed police forces (CAPFs) in newly created Indian tunes and compose new ones to 'Indianize martial music. ' This is the first such school in a university setting in the country. Until now, bands in uniformed services were traditionally trained at special colleges and training schools. Senior RRU officials say the inspiration is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make the music of India 'not merely entertainment, but a vehicle for expression, connection, and identity'. The initiatives started in 2016 with the use of Indian tunes on major occasions, they added. Major (Retd) Ashok Kumar, principal of the school and former director of music at the Joint Services Training Institute, AEC Training College & Centre, Pachmarhi — which trains musicians for the armed forces — says that military bands are traditionally taught tunes that have been part of military tradition for over a century. "We have over 200 such tunes which are used for different functions and ceremonies. In the past decade or so, Indian experts have been creating several notations and tunes that are rooted in our culture. Our aim would be to both create new tunes for the bands of CAPF and police forces and to teach the newly created Indian tunes to these bands," says Major Kumar. Some examples of such tunes include 'Veer Bharat' and 'Amar Senani', composed by Indian military musicians. These are now played regularly at various state and armed forces events. 'INS Vikrant,' 'Veer Bharat,' 'Desh Pukare,' 'Vayu Shakti,' 'Hindustan,' and 'Priyadarshini' are some more examples that reflect a rich Indian voice. Renjith G, senior instructor at SNPMMB, says the school is attempting to go a step further and create Indian raga and taal-based music in a global musical language. "Our initiative is to create original Indian tunes rooted in the country's rich musical heritage and legacy," he adds. Dr Gaurav Singh Kushwah, in-charge director of the school, calls Indianizing martial music tradition in India a major initiative. "Our aim is to teach Indian tunes primarily to CAPF and state police bands. We aim to provide trained musicians to security forces who will learn the Indian tunes and notations," he says. The first batch of 40 musicians from Rajasthan Police Central Band is already being trained at the university. RRU officials say that the courses are designed both for in-service musicians and aspiring candidates at multiple levels – from diploma to PhD. Students will be taught Indian and Western musical systems, orchestration, band drill protocols, ceremonial etiquette, and theoretical training. The first initiative for the overhaul will be the formation of the National Music Classification Forum that will attempt to find Indian alternatives for Western bugle calls like Reveille, Last Post, and Retreat.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Anupam Kher makes big statement on Operation Sindoor hero Colonel Sofia Qureshi, says, ‘Presented her…'
After the Pahalgam attack shook the nation, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, targeting and destroying several terrorist bases across the border. Amid the operation, one face stood out—not from the battlefield, but the briefing room. Colonel Sophia Qureshi, a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals, led media briefings, keeping the nation informed and composed during the tense period. Who is Colonel Sophia Qureshi? Sophia isn't just another officer in uniform. She made history as the first Indian woman to lead a military contingent at an international exercise. With clarity, calmness, and courage, she became the Army's voice after the Pahalgam attack. Her presence wasn't just a performance—it was reassurance. Anupam Kher meets Sophia Qureshi Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is currently promoting his new film Tanvi the Great, recently met Colonel Sophia and shared their interaction on Instagram. In the photo, he's seen gifting her his book. His caption read, 'OPERATION SINDOOR: I was extremely HAPPY and deeply HONOURED to meet Col. #sofiyaqureshi recently and present her my fourth #SelfHelp book #DifferentButNoLess! She epitomises the grace, valour, dignity and bravery of #IndianArmy. Thank you Col. Qureshi for your warmth and appreciation! Jai Hind! #Proud' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) The post has since gone viral, with fans calling the moment 'real patriotism'. What's 'Tanvi the Great' and how is it connected? Kher's film, Tanvi the Great, which tells the story of a young girl fighting against all odds to chase her dreams, has just been granted tax-free status in Delhi, following its earlier declaration as tax-free in Madhya Pradesh. Sharing the update, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta wrote on social platform X, ' I am pleased to share that the Delhi Government has declared the film 'Tanvi the Great' tax-free in the state. With an impactful narrative of inclusion, the film is an inspiring story of a young, 'special' girl-Tanvi, who is determined to achieve her dreams against all odds. Tanvi's story is emotional and inspirational. We are committed to promoting films that strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Seva, ignites patriotism, and awakens the conscience of the nation. Best wishes to the entire team of the film. @AnupamPKher' I am pleased to share that the Delhi Government has declared the film 'Tanvi the Great' tax-free in the state. With an impactful narrative of inclusion, the film is an inspiring story of a young, 'special' girl-Tanvi, who is determined to achieve her dreams against all odds.… — Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) July 23, 2025 From Colonel Sophia's real-life bravery to a film that celebrates courage in another form, this moment reminds us that strength wears many faces. Sometimes it's in uniform, other times in the cinema. But both spark something real: pride, purpose, and power.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Souza's 4 rare works to be auctioned this week
Panaji: A rare collection of four distinctive artworks by modernist painter of Goan origin, F N Souza, collectively valued at over Rs 1 crore, is set to lead the upcoming online auction by AstaGuru Auction House on July 29 and 30. The artworks include two pieces from his 'Head' series periods (1964 and 1985), a dynamic 1990 landscape, and a 1987 nude inspired by Khajuraho sculptures. 'Souza was a pioneering force in the Indian modernist art movement,' said Sneha Gautam, the director of client relations at AstaGuru Auction House. 'As a founding member of the Progressive Artists' Group in the 1940s, he was instrumental in challenging conventional Indian artistic traditions and introducing a bold modernist sensibility, especially at a time when the country was finding its distinct artistic voice. ' Gautam said, 'His work played a key role in shaping the trajectory of modern Indian art, bringing modernist styles and ideas to the forefront.' The artworks span various styles and themes that the artist concerned himself with throughout his career. The curation also showcases Souza's command of and proficiency in varied mediums. Lot No. 37 and Lot No. 42 showcase his different takes on portraiture and are reminiscent of his 'Head' series. The series featured portraits influenced by European art movements that displayed the artist's inner turmoil through the depiction of distorted faces. While Lot No. 37 is a colourful untitled work executed using acrylic on paper in 1985, Lot No. 42 is a charcoal-on-canvas work from 1964. Lot No. 56 belongs to Souza's vast oeuvre of landscapes. Executed in 1990, the oil-on-canvas work exemplifies his visceral approach to environment and structure. With a dense web of jagged lines and rhythmic brushstrokes, the composition collapses foreground and background into a frenetic tangle of green, ochre, and blue. Lot No. 84 is an untitled pen-on-paper work executed in 1987. It reveals Souza's fascination with creating nude works and the inspirations he took from the erotic sculptures of the Khajuraho temples. Captivated by the uninhibited expression of human desire found in these ancient carvings, Souza drew from their raw physicality and symbolism, particularly in his depictions of the female nude and intertwined couples. 'Characterised by assertive lines, striking colours, and a fusion of abstraction and figuration, Souza's art drew inspiration from Cubism, Expressionism, and other European movements,' Gautam said. 'His paintings frequently explored existential and religious concerns, while also offering sharp critiques of social and political structures.' She said, 'With a distinctive visual language, his use of line and colour imbued his work with dynamic tension, often evoking both intensity and unease. Souza left behind an unrivalled legacy of rebellion, paving the way for generations of artists to come.'
