Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive move, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has excluded all officers holding the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) from the list prepared by the Kerala government for the next Director General of Police (DGP). The development comes ahead of the retirement of the current state police chief, Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who demits office on June 30.
Centre’s Directive Upheld: Only DGPs Considered
The UPSC, in its final deliberation, adhered strictly to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive that only officers of the DGP rank be considered for the top police post in a state. Despite the Kerala government submitting a six-member list that included ADGP-rank officers, the UPSC narrowed its consideration to only the top three DGPs on the basis of seniority.
Among the key names reportedly excluded from the final panel were ADGPs Suresh Raj Purohit and M R Ajith Kumar, both of whom were included in the original state government submission but were ruled out for not holding the DGP rank.
Manoj Abraham Not Considered Due to Seniority Order
Interestingly, senior DGP Manoj Abraham, despite being among the most competent and well-known officers in the state, was also not considered by the UPSC — not due to rank but because he did not figure in the top three based on the all-important seniority criterion, which remains the primary benchmark for empanelment.
What Happens Next?
With just days left for DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb to retire, the state government is expected to promptly appoint his successor from among the three names cleared by the UPSC. The selection will likely be made in consultation with the state cabinet, but it must now be confined to the shortlisted senior-most officers of DGP rank.
This development may trigger fresh discussions within administrative and political circles regarding succession planning, the role of merit vs seniority, and the inclusion of ADGPs in state-submitted lists despite clear MHA instructions.
Read also: IPS Manoj Abraham Promoted to DGP in Kerala, Posted As DG, Fire & Rescue Services
Background: UPSC’s Role in DGP Appointment
As per the Supreme Court’s guidelines and the MHA’s framework, the state government is required to send a list of eligible officers to the UPSC, which then shortlists three candidates based on seniority, performance, and integrity. The state must then choose one among them for the top post. The UPSC’s recent decision reflects a strict adherence to those norms, signaling a continued preference for seniority and cadre-based clarity.
