N Ambika was married off at the young age of 14, she became a mother of two kids by 18. She may have been deprived of education at a tender age but her will to achieve greatness in her life never diminished.  She once attended a Republic Day parade with her family. She witnessed her Constable husband giving a salute to his senior IPS officers, and her determination to resume studies again reignited. 

IPS N Ambika

N Ambika, hailing from Tamil Nadu, had to experience the challenges of child marriage. When she should have been carelessly prancing around in playing grounds with her friends, she was married off to an older man. Her husband earned a living working as a Constable in the police. During the parade, when she saw her husband saluting the IPS officers, she became determined to hold the same position in her life. At the time, she was a mother of two kids. 

UPSC preparation

N Ambika resumed her studies. She completed her school education from a private institute. She then pursued her graduate studies and eventually embarked on her UPSC preparation. She relocated to Chennai with her family to enrol in a coaching institute as there were no such centres in her local town. She received immense support from her husband during this time. Despite her dedication and perseverance, she failed to crack UPSC three times. 

Achieving dreams

Her stubborn nature to clear the exam and her family’s faith in her inspired her to continue her UPSC journey. N Ambika eventually cracked UPSC in her fourth attempt in the year 2008, achieving the rank of IPS officer. Presently, she is working in Maharashtra cadre.