Tenzin Yangki becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s first woman IPS officer

In a milestone moment for Arunachal Pradesh, Tenzin Yangki from Tawang has become the first woman from the state to join the Indian Police Service (IPS), breaking a long-standing gender barrier in one of India’s most challenging professions. Her achievement has drawn praise from across the country, including from industrialist Anand Mahindra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, both of whom hailed her as an inspiration for the next generation of women leaders.

Yangki, who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 with an All-India Rank of 545, has been allotted the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre. She recently completed her training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, marking the culmination of a journey that began in the serene mountains of Tawang and led to one of India’s most prestigious uniforms.

Before joining the IPS, Yangki served as a Circle Officer in Siang district, after clearing the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) examination in 2017. Academically accomplished, she holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Warwick (UK), and a Master’s and M.Phil in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.

Public service runs deep in her family. Her late father, Thupten Tempa, served in the IRS and IAS before joining politics, while her mother, Jigmi Choden, is a retired officer of the Arunachal Pradesh Police Service. Carrying forward their legacy, Yangki’s decision to join the IPS reflects both her personal courage and her family’s enduring commitment to the nation.

Lauding her achievement, Anand Mahindra called her story his “Monday motivation,” writing on X (formerly Twitter) that “being first is never easy, it means walking alone at first, so that others may one day walk beside you.” He praised her as “an academician, a civil servant, and now an IPS officer,” celebrating how she continues her parents’ legacy while creating her own path of excellence.

Echoing similar admiration, Chief Minister Pema Khandu described Yangki’s accomplishment as “a proud and historic moment for the people of Arunachal.” He said her success “embodies courage, discipline, and determination,” adding that her journey from the mountains of Arunachal to the National Police Academy “will inspire countless young daughters of the state to dream big and serve the nation.”

Yangki’s achievement also highlights a broader shift, more women across India are breaking barriers in uniformed services. The number of women IPS officers has now crossed 700 nationwide, a figure that continues to rise as more women take on leadership roles in policing, investigation, and law enforcement.

For Arunachal Pradesh, Tenzin Yangki’s story is more than a personal triumph; it marks a turning point for women’s representation in public service. Her journey proves that perseverance and purpose can open doors even in spaces where none existed before, reminding every young girl in the Northeast that the khaki uniform, too, can belong to them.