Chhaya Sharma is a distinguished Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1999 batch, belonging to the AGMUT cadre. She currently serves as Inspector General (IG) and Director of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. Over her 22-year career, she has held significant positions such as Joint Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Range of Delhi, Joint Commissioner of Police for the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Delhi, and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India. Her service spans various regions including Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Delhi, where she has focused on crime detection, law and order, and human rights protection.​

Ms. Sharma’s work is marked by a strong victim-centric approach, particularly concerning women and children. She has led investigations into serious crimes and dismantled organized crime networks effectively through her leadership and team-building skills. At NHRC, as DIG (Investigation), she championed victims’ rights, helping rescue bonded laborers, improving prison conditions, mitigating authority excesses, and securing compensation for victims. She also contributed to the NHRC’s Core Group on Human Trafficking, advising on related issues.​

One of Ms. Sharma’s most notable contributions is her role as head of the Special Investigation Team in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case of 2012 in New Delhi. She oversaw the entire investigation process, shielding her team from external pressures, ensuring fast apprehension of suspects, and pioneering the use of forensic odontology in bite mark analysis. The first charge-sheet was filed in a record 18 days and led to convictions with maximum sentences, showcasing her meticulous and scientific investigation approach.​

Additionally, Ms. Sharma has been involved in other high-profile cases including the 2-year-old Baby Falak case, where her investigative skills and determination were crucial in delivering justice. Her work on human trafficking cases earned her commendations from the Delhi High Court and recognition from international bodies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UN-ODC). She played a key role in formulating guidelines for combating human trafficking in India.​

Her exemplary service has been recognized through multiple awards, including two Special Duty Medals for her work in insurgency-affected northeast India, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the McCain Institute of International Leadership’s award for Leadership and Courage, the Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation, and the ASIA Gamechanger Award 2019 in New York by the Asia Society