IPS Bushra Bano: Bushra Bano, a female IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, is currently making headlines across the country. A video released on social media has created a stir on the internet and in political circles. Bushra Bano shared a video about her success and life journey. In this video, she used some words from beginning to end that have now sparked a major controversy. The matter has escalated to the point where a written complaint has been filed against her with the West Bengal Home Secretary. Since then, people have been curious to know who Bushra Bano is and what her journey has been like so far.
Why did the controversy erupt over the words spoken in the video?
IPS officer Bushra Bano created a video to share her story of struggle and inspire people to prepare for the UPSC. The real source of controversy was the video’s opening, where she greeted viewers with “Assalamu Alaikum.” She also uttered “Inshallah” during her conversation and concluded with “Jazakallah.”
An organization called the Hindu Legal Fund strongly objected to the video and filed a formal complaint with the state Home Secretary. The organization directly alleges that the officer, while holding a responsible administrative and police position, prioritized Urdu and religious greetings. They say that national greetings like “Jai Hind” or “Vande Mataram” were not used in the video, which is inappropriate for a public servant. The complaint has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some calling it a personal matter, while others consider it a violation of rules.
Bushra’s journey started from Kannauj.
Amidst the controversy, Bushra Bano’s personal identity and educational background have also become a topic of discussion. Bushra was born in the historic perfume city of Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. She was a bright student from childhood and worked tirelessly to pursue higher education. She earned a PhD in Management Studies from Aligarh Muslim University. She also passed the UGC NET JRF exam, considered a nationally challenging exam, with flying colors.
Bushra married at a very young age, but family responsibilities never stood in the way of her dreams. Her husband was working in Saudi Arabia, so after marriage, she also moved to Saudi Arabia. There, she served as an assistant professor at a university. Despite a comfortable life and a good salary abroad, Bushra yearned to return to her homeland and do something for society. With this passion, she made the bold decision to return to India and prepare for the country’s most difficult exam, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Passed the tough UPSC exam twice
Bushra Bano’s success story is an inspiration for every woman who gives up on their dreams after marriage and children. Bushra took the Civil Services exam for the first time in 2018 and surprised everyone by securing the 277th All India Rank in her first attempt. Based on this excellent performance, she was selected for the Indian Railway Traffic Service. However, she was pregnant with her second child at the time, and due to physical and family reasons, she was unable to join the service.
Despite this, she refused to give up and continued her preparation with full dedication. The following year, in 2019, she took the UPSC exam again. This time, thanks to her hard work, she secured the 234th rank. This impressive rank directly placed her in the Indian Police Service. Being a mother and wife, while simultaneously succeeding in such a prestigious exam, clearly demonstrates her strong will.
Law and order is being handled in Kharagpur
Bushra Bano, a 2021 batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, completed her training in the state’s Hooghly Rural district. Her first posting there was as Assistant Superintendent of Police, where she worked on several important cases. In recognition of her work and dedication, she was promoted to Additional Superintendent of Police in June 2026. Currently, she serves as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, a key city in West Bengal, responsible for maintaining law and order. It remains to be seen what action the administration takes on the complaint filed with the Home Secretary.
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