From Beedi Worker’s Home to IPS Uniform: Sengottai Girl S. Inba’s Rise Becomes a National Inspiration
In an extraordinary story of resilience and social mobility, S. Inba, a newly inducted Indian Police Service officer from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a powerful symbol of determination, proving that background does not define destiny. Born into a financially constrained family in Sengottai of Tenkasi district, Inba has successfully navigated her way from hardship to national service, inspiring students across India.
Her emotional three-minute address during the launch of the ‘Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil’ laptop distribution scheme on January 5 has gone viral on digital platforms, touching millions of hearts and encouraging students from economically weaker sections to pursue ambitious goals.
Humble Roots, Unbreakable Ambition
Raised in Sengottai, Inba’s early life was shaped by limited means. Her mother earned a living by rolling beedis, while her father worked as a bus conductor. Despite persistent financial challenges, Inba remained committed to academic excellence.
She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering in 2020 from Coimbatore, after which she began preparing for the Civil Services Examination. With no financial support for private coaching in Chennai, she initially prepared from home and faced setbacks in her first two attempts.
Turning Point: Naan Mudhalvan Scheme Changes Her Destiny
Inba’s life took a transformative turn when she was selected under the Tamil Nadu government’s flagship ‘Naan Mudhalvan Scheme’, a program designed to identify and nurture talent from economically underprivileged communities.
Through this scheme, she gained admission to the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre in Chennai, where she received:
Free residential coaching
Complimentary accommodation and meals
Structured mentorship and academic resources
The public library in Sengottai also became her academic refuge, offering access to study material, digital facilities, and uninterrupted preparation support.
After two years of disciplined preparation, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and was inducted into the 2024 IPS batch. She is currently undergoing training as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Coimbatore.
