Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh could appoint its first woman Director General of Police (DGP), with senior IPS officer Pragya Richa Srivastava emerging as one of the leading contenders for the state’s top police post. The selection process is underway ahead of the scheduled retirement of incumbent DGP Kailash Makwana on November 30, 2026.
The Madhya Pradesh government has forwarded a list of 12 senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for consideration. According to media reports, the UPSC is expected to meet in the first week of November to shortlist three officers for the state government’s consideration.
Among the names attracting attention are Pragya Richa Srivastava, currently Director General of Home Guards; Varun Kapoor, Director General of Prisons; and Upendra Jain, Director General of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). No final appointment has been announced, and the selection will depend on the prescribed process and the state government’s decision.
Pragya Richa Srivastava Could Become Madhya Pradesh’s First Woman DGP
Pragya Richa Srivastava, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently heads the Madhya Pradesh Home Guards. She holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. Her possible appointment has drawn attention because it could make her the first woman to lead the state police force.
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She has served in senior positions within the state police administration, including as Special Director General of the Women Safety wing at the Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters in Bhopal. In May 2025, she was appointed Director General of Home Guards, Civil Security and Disaster Management, becoming the first woman to head the organisation in the state, according to media reports. She is due to retire in February 2028, according to reports.
Her name features among the senior officers being considered for the position. However, her appointment is not confirmed, and the UPSC’s empanelment process remains an important step before the state government makes its final decision.
Varun Kapoor: Seniority and Experience in Prison Administration
Varun Kapoor, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is currently serving as Director General of Prisons in Madhya Pradesh. He is reported to be the senior-most officer among the three prominent contenders.
He has been associated with cybercrime awareness and cybersecurity initiatives, including the Black Ribbon Initiative and Project Cy-Cops, which focused on improving cyber safety awareness. In July 2025, he was appointed Director General of Prisons in Madhya Pradesh.
Kapoor is due to retire in May 2027, according to reports. His seniority places him among the officers being considered for the position, although the final selection will depend on the UPSC panel and the state government’s decision.
Upendra Jain: Experience in Economic Offences Investigation
Upendra Jain, another 1991-batch IPS officer, currently heads the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Madhya Pradesh Police. Jain previously served as Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. In December 2024, he was appointed Director General of the EOW.
His experience in handling economic offences and investigations forms part of his professional background as a senior police officer. Reports indicate that he is among the leading names being discussed for the DGP position.
Jain is due to retire in August 2027, according to media reports. As with the other contenders, his selection will depend on the formal empanelment and appointment process.
Who Are the Other IPS Officers in the Selection Process?
The state government has reportedly forwarded the names of 12 senior IPS officers to the UPSC. Apart from the three prominent contenders, the list includes:
- Pankaj Shrivastava (IPS: 1992: MP)
- Adarsh Katiyar (IPS: 1992: MP)
- G. Akheto Sema (IPS: 1992: MP)
- Anil Kumar (IPS: 1993: MP)
- Ravi Gupta (IPS: 1993: MP)
- Anand Kumar Singh (IPS: 1994: MP)
- Manmeet Singh Narang (IPS: 1994: MP)
- Rajababu Singh (IPS: 1994: MP)
- D.P. Gupta (IPS: 1994: MP)
The UPSC will examine the officers’ records and eligibility before preparing a panel of three names for consideration by the state government.
How Is the Madhya Pradesh DGP Selected?
The appointment process follows the framework laid down by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case concerning police reforms.
The selection process broadly involves:
- State government proposal: The state forwards the names of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC.
- UPSC scrutiny: The commission examines the officers’ service records, seniority, experience and eligibility.
- Panel of three officers: The UPSC recommends a panel of three eligible officers to the state government.
- Final appointment: The state government selects the DGP from the recommended panel, following the applicable directions.
Under the Supreme Court’s framework, the appointed DGP is generally entitled to a minimum two-year tenure, subject to the applicable rules and exceptional circumstances. The selection process also requires eligible officers to have at least six months of service remaining before their normal retirement.
Why the Appointment Is Significant
The appointment will determine the leadership of Madhya Pradesh Police as the state prepares for future law-and-order and security responsibilities.
If Pragya Richa Srivastava is selected, Madhya Pradesh would join the states that have appointed women to lead their police forces. Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya became India’s first woman DGP in Uttarakhand in 2004, while women officers have subsequently headed police forces in other states.
For now, the process remains open, with the UPSC’s proposed shortlist and the state government’s final decision expected to determine who succeeds Kailash Makwana.
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