Bengaluru: Senior Indian Police Service officer B Dayananda, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, has been promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) and appointed Chief of the Internal Security Division (ISD) by the Karnataka government.
Dayananda, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Training, has been elevated to the DGP grade in Level-16 with retrospective effect from September 12, 2025. His new posting as ISD chief takes effect immediately.
The state government has also declared that the post of DGP, Internal Security Division, will be equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre post of DGP-CID, in accordance with the IPS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
The elevation assumes significance as it comes shortly after Dayananda was exonerated in a departmental inquiry initiated following the stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, during celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory.
B Dayananda: 1994-Batch Karnataka Cadre IPS Officer
B Dayananda is a senior IPS officer of the 1994 batch belonging to the Karnataka cadre. He has served in the police administration for more than three decades and has held several important assignments involving intelligence, prisons, training, traffic management, urban policing and law and order.
He entered the IPS as a direct recruit and formally joined the service on September 3, 1995.
Dayananda hails from Karnataka and completed his education in the state, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, before joining the civil services.
Over the course of his career, he has occupied several senior leadership positions within the Karnataka Police and state administration.
Served as Bengaluru Police Commissioner
One of Dayananda’s most prominent assignments came in May 2023, when he was appointed Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City.
As the head of the Bengaluru City Police, he was responsible for policing one of India’s largest and most complex metropolitan regions, dealing with challenges ranging from traffic management and urban law and order to public safety and technology-enabled policing.
His tenure was marked by an emphasis on smart policing and technology-driven policing infrastructure, along with efforts aimed at improving traffic management and community engagement.
Before and after his stint as Bengaluru Police Commissioner, Dayananda handled several other important responsibilities in the Karnataka Police.
He has served as ADGP, Intelligence, ADGP, Prisons & Correctional Services, and ADGP, Training, among other assignments.
His experience across intelligence, correctional administration and police training has given him exposure to different aspects of policing and internal security.
Suspension and Departmental Inquiry After Bengaluru Stampede
Dayananda’s tenure as Bengaluru Police Commissioner was also marked by a major setback following the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025.
The incident occurred during celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory, when a large crowd had gathered around the stadium.
At the time of the incident, Dayananda was serving as the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner.
Following the stampede, Dayananda was suspended, and a departmental inquiry was initiated against him along with other officers in connection with the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The departmental proceedings subsequently cleared Dayananda and he was exonerated of the charges.
His exoneration was followed soon afterwards by the state government’s decision to elevate him to the DGP rank and appoint him to head the Internal Security Division.
Promoted to DGP Rank With Retrospective Effect
The Karnataka government’s latest order promotes Dayananda to the DGP grade in Level-16 with retrospective effect from September 12, 2025.
Although the promotion has been given retrospective effect, his new assignment as Chief of the Internal Security Division is effective immediately.
The government has simultaneously accorded the ISD chief’s post a status equivalent to the DGP-CID cadre postunder the IPS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
This makes the new assignment a senior-level policing position with responsibilities and status comparable to the state’s DGP-level CID post.
New Role as Chief of Internal Security Division
As DGP and Chief of the Internal Security Division, Dayananda will now take charge of an important policing establishment dealing with matters concerning internal security.
His previous experience in intelligence and other specialised police assignments is particularly relevant to the new responsibility.
The appointment also marks his return to a senior strategic policing role following his tenure as Bengaluru Police Commissioner and the subsequent departmental proceedings.
Three Decades of Police Service
Dayananda has spent more than three decades in public service since joining the IPS.
His career has included field-level and senior administrative responsibilities, including assignments as Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner and Additional Director General of Police, along with specialised postings.
His career trajectory has seen him work in areas ranging from urban policing and traffic management to intelligence, prisons and correctional services and police training.
The officer is also known for an emphasis on the use of technology in policing, particularly in the context of managing the complex policing requirements of Bengaluru.
Awards and Police Honours
Dayananda has been recognised for his service with two significant police honours.
He was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2011.
He was subsequently awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2022, one of the country’s prominent honours for distinguished service in policing.
His latest elevation to the DGP rank adds another significant milestone to his long career in the Karnataka Police.
With his appointment as DGP and Chief of the Internal Security Division, the 1994-batch officer now moves into one of the state’s senior-most police leadership positions.
Key Points About B Dayananda
- Name: B Dayananda
- Service: Indian Police Service
- Batch: 1994
- Cadre: Karnataka
- Joined IPS: September 3, 1995
- Previous post: ADGP, Training
- Promoted to: Director General of Police (DGP)
- New posting: Chief, Internal Security Division, Karnataka
- Promotion effective from: September 12, 2025 (retrospective)
- DGP, ISD post: Declared equivalent to DGP-CID in status and responsibilities
- Police Medal for Meritorious Service: 2011
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service: 2022
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