Our Bureau
Mumbai
Simala Prasad, an actress who has worked with acclaimed Bollywood names, stunned many by cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam in her very first attempt.
Born in 1980 to Padma Shri-winning writer Mehrunnisa Parvez and former IAS officer-turned-MP Dr. Bhagirath Prasad, Simala combined academic excellence with a flair for the arts. After schooling at St. Joseph’s Co-ed, she completed her B.Com from the Institute for Excellence in Higher Education before topping her postgraduate course at Barkatullah University with a gold medal.
Her early career began in the Madhya Pradesh Police after clearing the MPPSC exam, where she served as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Betul district. Determined to join the civil services, she simultaneously prepared for UPSC without coaching, eventually becoming an IPS officer in 2010 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 51.
Alongside her service, Simala pursued her passion for acting. She made her film debut in Zaigham Imam’s Alif (2016), followed by Nakkash (2019), sharing screen space with Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, and Rajesh Sharma. She was also reported to appear in The Narmada Story, portraying a “supercop” alongside Raghubir Yadav and Mukesh Tiwari.
Her unconventional journey has drawn attention for seamlessly blending two demanding worlds — the administrative services and cinema. Colleagues and admirers describe her as someone who never compromised on her dreams, embodying focus, resilience, and self-belief.
For thousands of UPSC aspirants, Simala Prasad stands as a rare example of how persistence and passion can drive success in multiple fields.
