Ranchi: In a landmark appointment, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Tadasha Mishra has been named the acting Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand, making her the first woman to head the state police force. The appointment comes a day after Anurag Gupta, the outgoing DGP and 1990 batch IPS officer, resigned from the post following his application for voluntary retirement.
A notification issued by the Home, Prison & Disaster Management Department stated, “Tadasha Mishra, Special Secretary at Home, Prison & Disaster Management Department, Jharkhand, is transferred and posted as in-charge Director General & Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand, Ranchi, in her existing pay scale until further orders.”
Ms Mishra, a 1994-batch IPS officer, will formally assume charge on Friday, November 7.
Short Tenure as She Nears Retirement
While the appointment marks a historic moment for Jharkhand, Ms Mishra’s tenure will be notably brief. She is set to retire on December 31, 2025, giving her less than two months in office as the acting DGP.
Sources indicate that the state government may soon appoint a permanent DGP, with 1992-batch IPS officer Prashant Singh (DG Headquarters) and 1993-batch IPS officer M.S. Bhatia (DG Home Guard) being the frontrunners for the post.
Both Mr Singh and Mr Bhatia are senior to Mishra, leading to what observers describe as a potential “constitutional dilemma” within the administrative hierarchy. However, officials clarified that Ms Mishra’s appointment is an interim measure to ensure continuity in leadership following Gupta’s exit.
Anurag Gupta’s Voluntary Retirement Accepted
The state government has formally accepted the voluntary retirement application of outgoing DGP Anurag Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer.
“The application for voluntary retirement submitted by Anurag Gupta, IPS (1990), and DGP, is accepted. Gupta shall be considered retired with effect from November 6, 2025,” the notification stated.
IPS Gupta’s tenure had been marked by several administrative twists. He was earlier removed by the Election Commission ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly polls, later reinstated as Additional DGP by the Hemant Soren government in November 2024, and subsequently appointed as DGP on February 3, 2025, under the new Selection and Appointment Rules 2025 for Jharkhand’s police chief.
However, his extension of service drew objections from the Central Government, which formally communicated its concerns to the state, eventually leading to Gupta’s voluntary retirement.
From Railways to Home Department: Mishra’s Steady Rise
Before her appointment as acting DGP, Ms Mishra held the position of Special Secretary in the Home, Prison & Disaster Management Department. Prior to that, she served as Additional Director General (ADG) of Railways, overseeing security operations across the state’s railway network.
Her career also includes key assignments as Inspector General (IG) and other senior administrative roles, earning her a reputation for diligence, discipline, and efficiency.
Advocate for Women in Policing
Ms Mishra has long been a vocal advocate for gender sensitization and the empowerment of women in the police force. She has emphasized the need for systemic reforms to make policing more inclusive, urging the establishment of crèches for working mothers, gender-balanced postings, and equal opportunities in field assignments.
Her leadership style, according to colleagues, is marked by empathy and administrative acumen, making her a role model for women officers across Jharkhand and beyond.
Personal Life and Background
Born into a family from Odisha, Ms Mishra joined the Indian Police Service in 1994 under the Bihar cadre, later allocated to Jharkhand after the state’s formation in 2000.
She is a mother of two and has faced personal tragedies, including the loss of her son in 2018, which she later spoke about as a turning point in her life.
Colleagues describe her as resilient, compassionate, and deeply committed to public service, balancing personal challenges with professional dedication.
What Lies Ahead for Jharkhand Police
With IPS Mishra assuming charge, the Jharkhand Police enters a brief but symbolically significant phase – led for the first time by a woman officer. Her appointment also sets the stage for the state government’s decision on the next permanent DGP, likely to be made before the end of the year.
Until then, Ms Mishra’s leadership will be closely watched for how she navigates administrative continuity, maintains law and order, and sets the tone for gender representation in policing in Jharkhand.
