Chandigarh: The Haryana government has officially begun the process to appoint a new Director General of Police (DGP), ahead of the retirement of O.P. Singh (IPS:1992:HY) on December 31, 2025. The state is set to forward a list of five to seven senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which will shortlist a three-member panel. From this panel, the state government will select the next police chief.
Background: O.P. Singh and Shatrujeet Kapur
O.P. Singh has been holding additional charge of the DGP post since October 14, following Shatrujeet Kapur’s (IPS:1990:HY) leave amid public pressure related to the suicide of IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar (IPS:2001:HY). Singh has received appreciation for his work ethic during his tenure as acting DGP. Kapur’s inclusion in the proposed list of candidates is notable, though his return as DGP is considered unlikely due to the reasons behind his leave.
Read also: Haryana Govt Transfers 4 Senior IPS Officers, Ajay Singhal Appointed DGP, Vigilance Bureau
Supreme Court Guidelines for DGP Selection
As per Supreme Court directives, only officers at the DGP rank (Level-16) with at least six months of service remaining on the date of vacancy are eligible for consideration. Currently, five Haryana-cadre officers meet this criterion. The state government has begun seeking integrity certificates and willingness from eligible officers in line with these rules.
Likely Candidates for the DGP Post
The names being forwarded to the UPSC for shortlisting include –
- Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY), on leave
- Sanjeev Kumar Jain (IPS:1991:HY), DGP, Haryana Human Rights Commission
- Ajay Singhal (IPS:1992:HY), DGP, Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau
- Alok Kumar Mittal (IPS:1993:HY), MD, Haryana Police Housing Corporation
- Arshinder Singh Chawla (IPS:1993:HY), Director, Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban
While S.K. Jain was previously dropped from consideration in 2023 due to integrity concerns, current expectations suggest that Ajay Singhal, Alok Mittal, and Arshinder Singh Chawla are likely to form the three-member panel recommended by the UPSC.
Next Steps: Central Government Approval
Once the UPSC shortlists three candidates, the panel will be sent to the Central Government. The Haryana government will then appoint the new DGP from among these names. The process reflects the state’s adherence to procedural and legal norms for high-level police appointments.
Public and Administrative Context
The selection process comes in the aftermath of the unfortunate death of Haryana ADGP Y. Puran Singh, whose suicide note mentioned senior officials, including the DGP. This incident triggered administrative and public scrutiny, leading to the leave of Shatrujeet Kapur and the appointment of O.P. Singh as acting DGP. With Singh retiring at the end of December, Haryana is moving quickly to ensure a smooth transition in police leadership.
