New Delhi: 23-11-2025] In a remarkable moment for sustainable development and women’s empowerment in public service, IAS officer Tina Dabi has been honored with the inaugural Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award by President Droupadi Murmu at the 6th National Water Awards ceremony in New Delhi on November 18, 2025. As District Collector of Barmer, Rajasthan, one of India’s most arid regions, Dabi’s innovative “Catch the Rain” initiative has not only conserved vital water resources but also galvanized community participation, earning her district a groundbreaking Rs 2 crore prize. This accolade underscores her unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, echoing her broader legacy as a trailblazing civil servant from a Scheduled Caste background.
The award highlights Dabi’s “Tanka Model” a sand based water extraction and storage system that revived over 87,000/- traditional tankas (underground reservoirs), ponds, stepwells, and rooftop harvesting structures. In Barmer, where water scarcity claimed 64 lives in 2022, her mission, efforts during monsoons have ensured villages store rainwater for 3 to 4 months, transforming the district into a national model for water security. “This is a team victory”, Dabi humbly stated while receiving the honor, crediting local administrators and residents for their role in this public-private partnership. As Rajasthan grapples with climate challenges, Dabi’s work aligns with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan’s goals, inspiring similar drives across 3 states and 67 districts nationwide.
Tina Dabi’s Meteoric Rise: A Career Forged in Excellence and Service
Born on November 9, 1993, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to a family of civil servants, father Jaswant Dabi (former BSNL General Manager) and mother Himani Dabi (retired IES officer) Tina’s journey to the IAS pinnacle began early. Relocating to Delhi in 2005, she excelled at Jesus and Mary School, topping her state in Class 10 and securing perfect 100/100 scores in Political Science and History in Class 12 CBSE boards (93% aggregate). A Political Science graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University (BA Honours, 2016), where she was become “Student of the Year”, Dabi’s academic prowess fuelled her UPSC ambitions.
At just 22, in her first attempt, Dabi shattered barriers by topping the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination with All India Rank (AIR) 1, becoming the first Scheduled Caste woman to achieve this feat. Choosing Political Science as her optional subject, she studied 10 to 14 hours daily, solving two decades of past papers, and even turned down an IFS offer despite her passion for international relations. Allocated to the Rajasthan cadre (2016 batch), her career trajectory reflects rapid promotions and impacting roles:
| Year | Posting | Key Achievements |
| 2016 | Assistant Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Delhi | Initial training phase; awarded President’s Gold Medal for excellence at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). |
| 2017 | Assistant Collector, Ajmer, Rajasthan | Focused on rural development and public grievance redressal. |
| 2018 | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Bhilwara | Managed administrative challenges, including law and order during elections. |
| 2020 | CEO, Zila Parishad, Sri Ganganagar | Oversaw 345 gram panchayats; promoted women’s self-help groups and agricultural reforms. |
| 2020-2023 | Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Jaipur | Streamlined state finances; handled COVID-19 relief distributions. |
| 2023 | District Collector, Jaisalmer | Tackled desertification and tourism infrastructure. |
| 2024 | District Collector, Barmer | Led water conservation revolution; initiated ‘Maru Udaan’ for youth skilling, now statewide. |
| 2025-Present | Commissioner, Employment Guarantee Scheme, Jaipur | Enhances MGNREGA implementation for rural livelihoods. |
Dabi’s no-nonsense approach, from shutting non-compliant shops during cleanliness drives to advocating for marginalized communities, has earned her both acclaim and scrutiny. Her sister’s parallel success, IAS Ria Dabi (UPSC 2020, AIR 15) winning Rs 1 crore for Udaipur’s water efforts at the same awards, promotes a family legacy of service.
Balancing Duty and Heart: Tina Dabi’s Personal Life Amid Public Spotlight
Tina Dabi’s personal narrative, much like her professional one, has been a blend of inspiration and resilience. Her high-profile romance with UPSC 2015 AIR 2 holder Athar Aamir Khan, a Kashmiri Muslim IAS officer, began at a 2015 DoPT felicitation in Delhi and blossomed during LBSNAA training in Mussoorie. Their 2018 Delhi wedding, attended by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, symbolized inter caste marriage symbol, but drew controversy from groups like Hindu Mahasabha, who labeled it “love jihad”. Undeterred. Dabi affirmed. “My marriage transcends religious divides”.
However, stress emerged by 2020, with separate postings, Dabi to Sri Ganganagar and Khan to Bhilwara, exacerbating challenges. She dropped “Khan” from her social media in 2020, and they filed for mutual divorce in November that year, finalized by a Jaipur court in August 2021 after three years of marriage. Reflecting on the “painful experience”, Dabi later shared in interviews how it tested her resolve but reinforced her focus on self-growth.
In April 2022, Dabi found love again with Maharashtra, Latur based, IAS Pradeep Gawande (2013 batch, Rajasthan cadre), a doctor turned civil servant and fellow Dalit community member. Their low profile simple Jaipur wedding ceremony at Hotel Holiday Inn marked a fresh chapter ion duo’s life, emphasizing shared values of service and equity. The couple welcomed a son in 2023, enriching family joys with professional demands. Meanwhile, Khan remarried Srinagar, based doctor Mehreen Qazi in 2022, welcoming a son, Ehaan, in 2025, a testament to moving forward gracefully.
Dabi’s early media scrutiny, often fixating on her caste rather than achievements, hasn’t dimmed her spirit. As she told The Hindu, “The relentless gaze had more to do with prejudice than accomplishments”. Today, less active on social media, she channels energy into empowering aspiring civil servants, especially girls from marginalized backgrounds.
A Beacon for Aspiring Leaders: Tina Dabi’s Enduring Legacy
Tina Dabi’s Jal Sanchay triumph isn’t just about water, it’s a ripple effect for Rajasthan’s sustainable future and India’s administrative efforts. From UPSC topper to award-winning collector, her story of grit, innovation, and balance inspires millions. As she continues shaping policies in Jaipur, Dabi reminds us, True service flows from resilience, much like the tankas she revived in Barmer’s sands.
For UPSC aspirants eyeing Rajasthan cadre postings or water conservation careers, Dabi’s blueprint, disciplined study, community synergy, and unyielding purpose, is gold. What’s next for this IAS icon? Only time, and perhaps another monsoon miracle, will tell.
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