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Basant Rath (IPS) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth17 June 1972

Age51 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceUttarsahi village, Puri district, Odisha, India

ProfessionRetired IPS Officer, Social Activist

NationalityIndian

Marital statusDivorced

FamilyFather - Hrushikesh Kumar Rath; Mother - Ramamani Rath (deceased); one elder brother

Basant Rath (IPS) Biography

Basant Kumar Rath is a retired Indian Police Service officer of the 2000 AGMUT cadre who served in Jammu & Kashmir. Known for a public, at-times confronta-

Early life and background

Basant Kumar Rath was born on 17 June 1972 in Uttarsahi village in Puri district, Odisha. He grew up in a modest household and has described his family as financially struggling during his childhood. His father, Hrushikesh Kumar Rath, worked as a priest and farmer; his mother, Ramamani Rath, is deceased. He has an elder brother.

Rath completed his schooling in Odisha and went on to study psychology at Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar (BJB) Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar. He later earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. After passing the civil services examination, he trained at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Police Service on 4 September 2000, assigned to the AGMUT cadre.

Career

Rath served in the Indian Police Service from 4 September 2000 until August 2023. Over the course of his career he held several significant postings, including early probationary work in Poonch in 2001, a posting in Ramban from 2006, and work in Srinagar. He rose through the ranks to serve as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Doda–Kishtwar–Ramban range in July 2017 and later as Inspector General of Police (IGP) between February 2018 and November 2018. In November 2018 he was assigned to the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department.

Rath developed a public profile for a hands-on and sometimes unconventional approach to policing. He was noted for being visible on city streets, issuing traffic citations personally and enforcing regulations on a range of individuals. These actions drew both public appreciation in some quarters for stricter traffic management and criticism from senior officials for his style and use of social media.

Alongside his policing duties, Rath started an initiative called Book Baba to support less privileged students preparing for competitive exams. The effort began informally during his probation in 2001 and became more structured by 2006; in later years he used social media to reach students in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Controversies and administrative action

Rath’s career included several high-profile disputes with senior police leaders and government authorities. In 2017 the Ministry of Home Affairs raised concerns about his published commentaries and their compliance with service regulations. In subsequent years he clashed repeatedly with Jammu and Kashmir police leadership, including a prolonged conflict with DGP Dilbagh Singh that resulted in disciplinary measures.

In July 2020 Rath was suspended on charges described as misconduct and misbehaviour. His suspension continued into 2023 when the Ministry of Home Affairs extended it. In August 2023 the central government issued an order effecting his premature retirement; the order provided three months’ salary and allowances up front. Rath resigned publicly and sought to enter politics following his removal from service, and he applied to join a national political party; media reports indicate the party leadership declined to induct him.

Public profile

Rath cultivated a visible public presence. He wrote columns and essays for national outlets and was active on social media, which amplified both his reform-oriented actions and his disputes with colleagues. His willingness to penalize infractions by government workers while serving in urban postings earned praise from some citizens, and his frequent use of social platforms drew scrutiny from the Intelligence Bureau and senior officials.

Personal life

Rath holds Indian nationality and belongs to the Utkala Brahmin community. He is divorced. He stands approximately 168 cm tall and his reported service salary as an IGP was Rs. 1,44,200 plus allowances. He lists writing poetry among his pastimes and has said that his favourite colour is black. His autobiography, titled Son of a Brahmin, is scheduled for publication in 2024.

Latest updates

In March 2023 Rath was granted domicile by the Jammu & Kashmir administration. In August 2023 the government formalized his premature retirement after an extended suspension. Filmmaker interest in developing a film about his life was reported following the suspension. Rath has continued to use public platforms to comment on his experiences and to seek avenues for political engagement.
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Recent Work

Son of a Brahmin (autobiography)

Autobiography scheduled for publication in 2024.

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Joined IPS, AGMUT cadre, 2000
  2. Deputy Inspector General, Doda–Kishtwar–Ramban range (July 2017)
  3. Inspector General of Police (February 2018 – November 2018)
  4. Initiated Book Baba outreach for students
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Basant Rath (IPS) born?

17 June 1972

What is Basant Rath (IPS) known for?

Retired IPS Officer, Social Activist

What is Basant Rath (IPS)’s marital status?

Divorced