R Sreelekha is a brave woman from Kerala. She made history as the first woman IPS officer there. On December 12, 2025, news came that her party won big in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls.
Early Life
R Sreelekha was born on Christmas day in 1961. She came as the third daughter to her parents. Her father was Prof N Velayudhan Nair. Her mother was B Radhamma. They lived in Thiruvananthapuram. This city is in Kerala. Sreelekha went to Government Model School for early studies. Later, she joined Cotton Hill Girls High School. These schools helped her grow strong. She loved books from a young age. Her family supported her dreams. Life was simple but full of care. She learned values like hard work and honesty. These shaped her future path.
She finished school with good marks. Then, she went to Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram. There, she studied English literature. She got her graduation degree. Next, she did her Masters. This was at University Institute of English in Kerala University. Studies were not easy. But she worked hard. She balanced books and dreams. After that, she chased more knowledge. In 2005, she took an MBA. This was in Human Resource Management from IGNOU. Her mind was sharp. She wanted to learn always. This education made her ready for big roles.
R Sreelekha IPS Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Rank, Husband, Son, Family
Career
Before police, Sreelekha taught as a lecturer. She worked at Shree Vidyadhiraja College. Teaching kids gave her joy. But she wanted more action. Then, she joined Reserve Bank of India. She became a Grade B Officer in Mumbai. City life was fast. She handled money matters there. Yet, her heart called for service. At age 26, she cleared the tough exam. In January 1987, she became IPS officer. Kerala got its first woman in this role. People cheered for her. She broke old barriers. Her courage inspired many girls.
Police Jobs
Sreelekha started as District Superintendent of Police. She served in three places. First was Alappuzha. Then Pathanamthitta. Last was Thrissur. In these jobs, she kept law strong. She solved crimes fast. People felt safe under her. Later, she went to Central Bureau of Investigation. There, she worked four years. She was Superintendent in Kerala. Then DIG in New Delhi. Big cases needed her skills. She dug deep for truth. Her work won respect.
She rose higher. She became Inspector General of Crime Branch. Then Deputy Inspector General of Ernakulam Range. In 2005, she led Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation. This was as Managing Director. Next year, in June 2007, she handled Roads and Bridges Development Corporation. She fixed many problems. Roads got better. Bridges stood strong. She was Additional DGP for Armed Police Battalions. She also trained officers. Her extra charge showed trust. From ADGP Vigilance, she moved to Police Home Guards in 2014. She cared for gender justice too.
As Transport Commissioner from July 2013 to September 2015, she saved lives. Road accidents dropped to lowest ever. She ran Asia's first road safety Hackathon. World Bank helped at Technopark Trivandrum. It was a hit. Youth gave new ideas. She built Crime & Criminal Tracking system. She started THUNA website. This helped public talk to police easy. In Intelligence as Additional DGP, she helped stressed officers. Her HATS center fought mental problems. Addiction, fights, money woes got care.
In September 2017, she became Director General of Police. From January 2017 to June 2019, she ran Kerala Prisons. She changed 54 jails to Correctional Centers. Good reforms came. Prisoners learned skills. From June 2017 to June 2020, she headed Social Policing & Traffic. At Police Headquarters, she made streets safer. On June 1, 2020, she took Fire And Rescue Services. First woman DGP in full charge in Kerala. She led during tough fires. Teams worked under her brave lead.
She retired on December 31, 2020. After 33 years and 5 months, she left service. Her work touched many lives. Accidents fell. Prisons improved. Women felt safer. She probed Consumerfed rice scams. Godowns in Kochi and Trivandrum got checked. Her sharp eyes found faults.
Writing Talent
Sreelekha loves words. She wrote four books in Malayalam. First was “Manassile Mazhavillu” in March 2000. It has seven short stories. National Book Stall published it. Next, “Cherumarmarangal” in June 2004. Twelve stories here. DC Books did it. Then “Niyama Samrakshanam Streekalkku” in November 2002. This book helps women on law. State Literacy Mission printed it. Last, “Neerazhikkappuram” in July 2007. A novel on Tsunami pain. DC Books again.
She writes columns too. Police topics and women issues fill magazines. She made English short stories collection. Her words touch hearts. Stories show real life struggles. Readers wait for more. Writing gave her peace amid duty.
Politics
After retirement, she joined Bharatiya Janata Party. In November 2025, news spread. She fights from Sasthamangalam in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections. BJP picked her for experience. On December 12, 2025, her party won. They ended 45 years of Left rule. She may become first woman Mayor. This is big shift in Kerala politics. People see her as clean leader. Her police days help now. She promises better city life. Clean streets. Safe homes. Good services. Voters trust her smile and strength.
Why She Inspires
R Sreelekha shows women can lead. From school girl to DGP, she climbed high. She balanced family, job, books. Her simple life teaches all. She fought crimes. Helped weak. Now in politics, she serves more. Young girls look up to her. Kerala feels proud. Her story says dream big. Work hard. Truth wins. On December 14, 2025, her name shines bright. Future holds more for this star.
