Patna: In a significant administrative decision, the Bihar government on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) appointed former Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj (IPS:1989:BH) as the Chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC). The appointment came on the last day of his service in the Indian Police Service, marking a rare transition from active policing to a key constitutional recruitment body.
Alok Raj retired from the IPS on December 31, 2025, and will formally assume charge as BSSC Chairman on January 1, 2026. His tenure in the new role will be five years or until he attains the age of 65, whichever comes earlier.
From Additional Charge to Permanent Appointment
Notably, Alok Raj had already been holding the additional charge of Chairman, BSSC since December 2024, alongside his primary role as Director General and Managing Director of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation. With the latest government notification, his appointment to the BSSC has now been made permanent, reflecting the state government’s confidence in his administrative capabilities.
The move ensures continuity at the BSSC, a body that plays a critical role in recruitment to various state government departments.
Importance of the Appointment Amid Recruitment Scrutiny
The appointment comes at a time when recruitment processes in Bihar are under close public and judicial scrutiny. The Bihar Staff Selection Commission is responsible for conducting examinations, evaluating candidates, and filling thousands of vacancies across departments.
With Alok Raj at the helm, the government expects greater administrative discipline, transparency, and credibility in the functioning of the commission, especially as large-scale recruitment drives are anticipated in the coming years.
Who Is Alok Raj?
Alok Raj is one of Bihar’s most senior and respected IPS officers, belonging to the 1989 batch. Born on December 15, 1965, he hails from Neura village in the Saraian block of Muzaffarpur district, while his family currently resides in Kankarbagh, Patna.
He has held several important positions during his long policing career and was appointed in-charge Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar in August 2024. Prior to that, he served as Director General of Vigilance, handling sensitive anti-corruption and oversight responsibilities.
Alok Raj is also Bihar’s senior-most IPS officer, giving him a unique perspective on institutional leadership and governance.
Family Background and Administrative Legacy
Alok Raj comes from a family closely associated with Bihar’s police leadership. His father-in-law, D.N. Sahay, served as DGP of Bihar during the tenure of former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. This background exposed him early to the administrative and leadership dimensions of policing in the state.
Distinction From Another IPS Officer With the Same Name
It is important to note that Alok Raj (IPS:1989) should not be confused with Alok Raj Narayan (IPS:2022), a younger officer currently serving as ASP in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh.
While Alok Raj Narayan is widely admired for his inspirational journey—from Nawada, Bihar, to the IPS after excelling academically—the current appointment as BSSC Chairman pertains exclusively to the senior IPS officer Alok Raj, former DGP of Bihar.
A Policeman With a Passion for Music
Beyond his administrative identity, Alok Raj is also known for his deep passion for music, a rare personal dimension among senior police officers. His devotional and classical music performances have gained popularity on social media in recent years.
One of his devotional songs, “Yeh Bhola Sabse Bada Hai,” dedicated to Lord Shiva, went viral and earned widespread appreciation. In interviews, Alok Raj has shared that while he loved film music during his school and college years, he had to put music aside after joining the IPS in 1989 due to the demanding nature of police service.
Rediscovering Music After Two Decades in Uniform
After more than 22 years of intense policing work, Alok Raj returned to music in 2011 by formally studying Hindustani classical music under his mentor Ashok Kumar. He devoted nearly six years to disciplined musical training before releasing his debut album “Sai Rachna” in 2017.
He later recorded ghazals of Dushyant Kumar and Kabir bhajans, adding depth to his artistic pursuits. According to Alok Raj, music helped him cope with the emotional and psychological stress that comes with policing.
“Police officers deal with conflict, tension, and negativity every day. Art and music bring balance and creativity,” he once remarked.
A New Chapter in Public Service
With his appointment as Chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission, Alok Raj begins a new phase of public service—one that shifts focus from law enforcement to institution-building and recruitment governance.
His experience in vigilance, administration, and leadership is expected to strengthen the BSSC’s functioning and restore public confidence in recruitment processes. As Bihar prepares for major hiring exercises, Alok Raj’s role will be crucial in ensuring fairness, efficiency, and transparency.
