Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Retired ACP’s Son Follows Her Into Maharashtra Police Service
Ujwala Pingale joined the police in 1971, when women officers were uncommon.
She worked in several police roles and eventually became an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The job meant long hours, travel and transfers, so her children often stayed with their grandparents.
Ujwala still made time to care for them and help with their studies.
Her son Nikhil said watching her work inspired him to serve the public.
He studied engineering and passed the civil services examination in 2014.
He later held police posts in several places in Maharashtra.
Now he is the Superintendent of Police in Satara, following his mother’s path.
Ujwala Pingale joined the Maharashtra police force in 1971 as part of its first batch of women recruited through the MPSC.
She served in assignments including the Criminal Investigation Department and railway police, and retired as an ACP in Pune in 2019.
Long hours, travel and transfers often kept Ujwala away from her children, who were helped by their grandparents in Rajgurunagar.
Her son Nikhil said her commitment to public service influenced his decision to join the police.
Nikhil, who cleared the civil services examination in 2014, is now Superintendent of Police in Satara.
- Who
- Ujwala Pingale, a retired ACP, and her son Nikhil Pingale, the SP in Satara.
- What
- A mother and son have both pursued careers in the police service.
- When
- Ujwala joined in 1971 and retired in 2019; Nikhil cleared the civil services examination in 2014 and is currently posted in Satara.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India; Ujwala retired in Pune and Nikhil is posted in Satara.
- Why
- Nikhil said his mother’s example and his own interest in public service influenced his decision to join the police.
- Ujwala Pingale joined police
- 1971
- Recruitment
- She was among the first batch of women recruited through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.
- Ujwala's retirement
- She retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Pune in 2019.
- Nikhil's civil services examination
- He cleared it in 2014.
- Nikhil's current position
- Superintendent of Police in Satara.
- Ujwala's assignments
- Included five years with the Criminal Investigation Department and two years with railway police.
- Nikhil's education
- He completed an engineering degree in 2011.