Thiruvananthapuram: With incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) Shaik Darvesh Saheb (IPS:1990:KL) set to retire on June 30, Kerala stands at a critical juncture as it prepares to appoint a new police chief. While the final announcement may take just minutes once the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) submits its shortlist, the road to that decision is proving to be anything but straightforward.
Government Submits Six Names to UPSC
The Kerala government has forwarded a list of six senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the UPSC for consideration. The names include-
- Nitin Agarwal (IPS:1989:KL)
- RA Chandrasekhar (IPS:1991:KL)
- Yogesh Gupta (IPS:1993:KL)
- Manoj Abraham (IPS:1994:KL)
- Suresh Raj Purohit (IPS:1995:KL)
- MR Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:KL)
As per protocol, UPSC will shortlist three candidates from the list, and the state government will then choose the next DGP from this panel.
Read Also: Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb to Retire in June; Search for Successor Begins
Eligibility Objections Raised by Centre
The selection process has hit a snag over eligibility concerns. Two officers—Suresh Raj Purohit and MR Ajith Kumar—currently serving as Additional Director Generals of Police (ADGPs), reportedly do not meet the minimum 30 years of service requirement mandated by the Centre. Purohit joined the IPS on September 3, 1995, while Kumar was inducted on September 5, 1996.
Sources indicate that the Centre has raised objections to their inclusion, casting doubt on their prospects of being part of the final panel.
Kerala Seeks Waiver, Political Calculations in Play
In response, the Kerala government has formally written to the Centre requesting a waiver of the 30-year rule, defending the inclusion of the two officers based on their experience and suitability. If the request is denied, the UPSC may narrow the valid list to four officers, from which it will select three, potentially excluding one key contender.
Manoj Abraham’s Position in Focus
Among the shortlisted names, Manoj Abraham (IPS:1994:KL) is reportedly seen as politically aligned with the current LDF government. Insiders suggest his name may be the preferred choice of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.
If Abraham’s name is excluded from the final UPSC panel, the remaining officers—Agarwal, Chandrasekhar, and Gupta—are perceived as less aligned with the political leadership, complicating the CM’s options.
Extension Option on the Table?
In case the final panel returned by the UPSC is seen as politically unpalatable, or if consensus within the state government remains elusive, there is speculation that the tenure of the outgoing DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb may be extended as a stop-gap arrangement.
With just days to go before June 30, the high-stakes decision on Kerala’s next top cop is being shaped by a complex mix of bureaucratic procedure, political preference, and legal precedent.
