Tina Dabi, Navjot Simi to Athar Aamir Khan: IAS & IPS officers who chose love over arranged marriage, meet their life partners

Several IAS and IPS officers in India have followed their hearts and married for love, breaking the stereotype of arranged marriages that are common in their profession.

Valentine’s Week, celebrated from February 7 to February 14, is a special time for those in love, culminating in Valentine’s Day on February 14. While it is mostly associated with young couples, love knows no boundaries—including those of bureaucracy. Several IAS and IPS officers in India have followed their hearts and married for love, breaking the stereotype of arranged marriages that are common in their profession. Here are some of the most inspiring love stories of civil servants who found their life partners within the corridors of power.

Manoj Kumar & Shraddha Joshi: A love story that inspired a movie

IPS officer Manoj Kumar tied the knot with GST Commissioner Shraddha Joshi on December 5, 2005. Their journey of love and struggle was so inspiring that it became the basis for the Bollywood film 12th Fail, highlighting the sacrifices and determination of those pursuing their dreams.

Tina Dabi & Pradeep Gawande: A union of two IAS officers

Tina Dabi, an IAS officer from the 2016 batch, married IAS officer Pradeep Gawande from the 2013 batch. Their wedding took place on April 21, 2022, and since then, they have embarked on both personal and professional journeys together. The couple recently embraced parenthood, adding another beautiful chapter to their love story.

Athar Aamir Khan & Mehreen Qazi: From civil services to parenthood

IAS officer Athar Aamir Khan, who gained fame for securing AIR 2 in UPSC 2015, found love in Dr. Mehreen Qazi. They tied the knot on October 1, 2022, and recently welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Ehan. Mehreen Qazi is a a doctor and social media influencer, who rose to prominence after becoming engaged to IAS Athar.

Navjot Simi & Tushar Singla: A Valentine’s Day wedding

IPS officer Navjot Simi and IAS officer Tushar Singla made headlines when they registered their marriage on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020. Their court marriage became a widely discussed event. Both of them first married at a temple with Hindu rituals and later had a court marriage on 14 February. The couple was blessed with a baby boy in 2023. They name him Meeran.

Srushti Jayant Deshmukh & Nagarjun B. Gowda: A love that stood the test of time

IAS officer Srushti Jayant Deshmukh got engaged to IAS officer Nagarjun B. Gowda in August 2021. Eight months later, in April 2022, they officially tied the knot, turning their long-standing friendship into a lifelong commitment.

Prerna Sharma & Mridul Chaudhary: A love marriage across cadres

IAS officer Prerna Sharma from the Assam cadre and IAS officer Mridul Chaudhary from the Uttar Pradesh cadre defied all odds when they decided to marry in 2018. Their love story, which led to a registered marriage, is an example of how love transcends state and cadre divisions.

Divya S. Iyer & K.S. Sabarinathan: A love that began online

IAS officer Divya S. Iyer married politician K.S. Sabarinathan, an MLA, in a unique love story that began on social media. In 2007, Sabarinathan shared a post on Facebook announcing their wedding, showing how modern technology can play a role in traditional love stories.

These civil servants prove that even in the highly disciplined world of governance and administration, love finds its way. Their stories serve as an inspiration, reminding us that no matter how demanding the profession, there’s always room for love.