IPS officer Preeti Yadav has become the first woman to head Noida Zone 1 as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), following an administrative reshuffle in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The 30-year-old officer was appointed by Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh after IPS officer Saad Miyan Khan was transferred to the Agra Police Commissionerate.

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A 2019-batch Indian Police Service officer, Yadav secured All India Rank (AIR) 466 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2018. She cleared the examination on her second attempt, turning her childhood ambition of joining the civil services into a career in policing.

Originally from Rewari, Haryana, Yadav was born on April 10, 1996. She completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Geography before pursuing her goal of becoming a civil servant. Her experience in departments dealing with women's safety and cybersecurity could support her responsibilities in Noida Zone 1, where maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety are key priorities.

Yadav has credited her father for inspiring her to pursue a career in public service. In an interview with Sansad TV, she explained that joining the civil services had been her ambition since childhood. Her father began his career as a constable and later served as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), giving her a personal example of a life dedicated to policing.

She said her father encouraged his children to aspire to the highest positions in the service, regardless of their starting point. Yadav also acknowledged the role of her parents and teachers, saying their support and guidance helped her achieve her goal at a young age.

Her UPSC journey included an early setback. Yadav cleared the preliminary examination on her first attempt and appeared for the mains, but her marks fell short of the cutoff by 21 marks. She returned for another attempt and ultimately secured AIR 466, earning selection into the IPS.

Her appointment as Noida Zone 1's first woman DCP marks a milestone in the area's police leadership. Her journey also highlights the role of persistence, family encouragement and educational guidance in preparing for one of India's most competitive examinations.