Sarah Rizvi: Gujarat’s First Muslim Woman IPS Officer Continues Key Posting in Jammu & Kashmir

Ahmedabad/Jammu: Sarah Rizvi, Gujarat cadre IPS officer and the first Muslim woman from the state to achieve this distinction, has had her inter-state deputation extended by two more years by the Government of India. Currently, she is serving at the Jammu & Kashmir Police Headquarters as DIG (Administration), handling critical responsibilities in the region.

Career Milestones

Sarah Rizvi, a 2008 batch IPS officer, originally belongs to the Gujarat cadre. She was deputed to Jammu & Kashmir in October 2022 and has since held several important positions, including DIG Udhampur-Riasi, DIG Jammu (IR), and additional charge of DIG Jammu Armed. Her deputation, initially granted for three years, has now been extended for an additional two years.

Historic Achievement

Sarah Rizvi holds a unique record as Gujarat’s first Muslim woman IPS officer. She prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in Urdu medium, receiving guidance and support from MESCO (Modern Educational Social & Cultural Organisation). A commerce graduate from Mumbai, she initially aspired to become a Chartered Accountant. However, a lecture by Dr. K.M. Arif inspired her to pursue the civil services, and she succeeded in the exam on her second attempt.

Early Postings and Background

After joining the IPS, Sarah served in Gujarat, with her first posting in Jamnagar. Later, she was posted to Gondal in Rajkot, a region previously known for gang-related incidents, where she served as ASP. Born and raised in Mumbai, Sarah comes from a respected family: her father, Afzal Ahmed, is a science graduate, while her mother, Nigar Rizvi, studied at Aligarh Muslim University. Her brother is a civil engineer, and her sister, Sameera, is a computer graduate residing in Dubai.

Sarah Rizvi’s exemplary service and leadership continue to inspire many, especially women aspiring to break barriers in policing and public administration.

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