New Delhi/Chandigarh: The process for appointing a regular Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab has entered its final stage, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) scheduled to hold a crucial empanelment committee meeting on Tuesday to shortlist three senior IPS officers for the state’s top police post. The Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), will then select one officer from the panel recommended by the UPSC.
The appointment assumes significance as Punjab is set to get a regular DGP nearly four years after the state appointed an acting police chief and several months ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for early 2027.
UPSC to Prepare Panel of Three Officers
The UPSC empanelment committee will scrutinise the list of eligible officers submitted by the Punjab government and recommend a panel of three names for appointment as the state’s regular DGP.
Under the Supreme Court-mandated procedure laid down in the landmark Prakash Singh police reforms case, the state government can appoint only one officer from the panel recommended by the UPSC.
Once the panel is finalised, the AAP government will have the discretion to choose any one of the three shortlisted officers as the next Director General of Police.
Punjab to Get Regular DGP After Nearly Four Years
Punjab has been functioning under an acting Director General of Police since July 2022, when Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992 batch) was appointed as Acting DGP by the AAP government after it came to power.
His appointment had bypassed several officers senior to him, triggering debates over adherence to the Supreme Court’s prescribed selection process for DGP appointments.
The proposed appointment of a regular DGP is expected to bring stability to the state’s police leadership ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.
Gaurav Yadav Among 14 Eligible Officers
The Punjab government submitted a panel of 14 eligible IPS officers to the UPSC on April 6, 2026, in response to the Commission’s request.
The list includes:
- Four IPS officers from the 1992 batch
- Three officers from the 1993 batch
- Seven officers from the 1994 batch
Among the 1992-batch officers, Sharad Satya Chauhan is the senior-most officer, followed by Harpreet Singh Sidhu, Gaurav Yadav, and Kuldeep Singh.
Although Gaurav Yadav currently serves as Acting DGP, he ranks third in seniority among the four officers of his batch included in the proposal.
Supreme Court Directions Triggered the Process
The current selection process was initiated after the Supreme Court, in its order dated February 5, 2026, expressed serious concern over several states, including Punjab, continuing with “acting” DGPs instead of appointing regular police chiefs.
The apex court directed all states to strictly comply with the appointment procedure laid down in the Prakash Singh judgment, under which UPSC is responsible for preparing a panel of eligible officers.
Following the court’s observations, the UPSC sought the Punjab government’s proposal on February 18, 2026, formally initiating the selection process.
Regular DGP to Get Fixed Two-Year Tenure
One of the key features of the Supreme Court’s police reforms is that the selected Director General of Police will enjoy a minimum fixed tenure of two years, irrespective of the officer’s date of retirement or superannuation.
The provision is aimed at ensuring continuity in police leadership and insulating the office from frequent administrative changes.
Composition of the UPSC Empanelment Committee
The committee responsible for preparing the panel of officers comprises:
- UPSC Chairman (or a UPSC Member acting as Chairman)
- Union Home Secretary or an officer not below the rank of Special Secretary nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Head of a Central Police Organisation nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, who does not belong to the Punjab cadre
- Chief Secretary of Punjab
- Director General of Police of Punjab
However, since Gaurav Yadav is himself one of the contenders for the post, the UPSC has allowed the Punjab government to substitute him on the committee with the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to avoid any conflict of interest during the empanelment process.
Significant Appointment Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections
The appointment of a regular DGP comes at a politically significant time, with Punjab expected to head into Assembly elections in early 2027.
A regular police chief with a guaranteed tenure is expected to provide administrative continuity, improve policing efficiency, and strengthen law-and-order management in the run-up to the elections.
The UPSC panel’s recommendations are now awaited, after which the Punjab government will take the final decision on who will become the state’s next Director General of Police.
