Notedly Archana Ramasundaram is a retired Indian Police Service officer. Her career is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of Indian law enforcement. October 1 1957, born Archana served the nation for nearly four decades, garnering recognition for her leadership, academic excellence, and role in breaking gender barriers within the police and paramilitary forces.
Prior to joining the Indian Police Service in 1980, as part of the Tamil Nadu cadre, she completed her postgraduate studies in Economics at the University of Rajasthan. As a matter of pride, she was the only woman officer in her IPS batch, entering a profession that was overwhelmingly male dominated at the time. From the outset, her career reflected determination and a strong commitment to public service.
In pursuit of intense professional expertise, Archana went on to study criminology in the United States. In 1989, she earned a Master of Science degree in Criminology from the University of Southern California. This international academic exposure strengthened her understanding of criminal justice systems and modern policing practices. Her contributions to policing were formally recognized in 1995 when she received the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service.
A significant phase of her career came in 2014, when she was appointed as Additional Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation. This appointment marked the first time a woman officer had been selected for such a senior role in the country’s premier investigative agency. While the appointment later emerged as the subject of legal and administrative controversy, she went on to continue her service at the national level and was subsequently appointed Director General of the National Crime Records Bureau.
Her most historic achievement came in February 2016, when she was appointed Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal. With this, Archana Ramasundaram emerged as the first woman police officer in India to head a central armed police force. The Sashastra Seema Bal plays a crucial role in guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, and her leadership was seen as a transformative moment for gender representation in paramilitary forces. She served in this role until July 2018, shortly before her retirement from active service.
Even following her retirement from the IPS, Archana continued to contribute to public life. In March 2019, she was appointed as a
non-judicial member of the Lokpal, India’s anti-corruption ombudsman, a position she held until March 2024.
Archana Ramasundaram’s career dominates as a powerful example of perseverance, professional excellence, and leadership. Her journey has inspired many aspiring officers, particularly women, to pursue careers in law enforcement and public service with confidence and conviction.
News Edit KV Raman
