Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has initiated the process of appointing the state’s next Director General of Police (DGP), shortlisting seven senior IPS officers and forwarding their names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for consideration.
The move comes as the current DGP, Rashmi Shukla (IPS: 1988: MH), is set to retire on December 31, 2025, marking the end of her tenure as the state’s top police officer.
Seven IPS Officers in Contention
According to official sources, the list of shortlisted officers was sent to the UPSC on October 31, 2025, for further scrutiny. The Commission will now examine their service records and recommend a panel of three names to the state government, from which the final selection will be made.
The seven officers shortlisted for the post are:
- Sadanand Date (IPS: 1990: MH) – Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Sanjay Verma (IPS: 1990: MH)
- Ritesh Kumar (IPS: 1992: MH)
- Sanjeev Kumar Singhal (IPS: 1992: MH)
- Archana Tyagi (IPS: 1993: MH)
- Sanjeev Kumar (IPS: 1993: MH)
- Prashant Burde (IPS: 1993: MH)
Among these, Sadanand Date, who currently heads the NIA, is considered the senior-most officer and a strong contender. He is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2026, which would allow for a longer tenure in the top post if appointed.
Notable Exclusion: Amitabh Gupta
The list notably excludes Amitabh Gupta (IPS: 1992: MH), who is presently on central deputation with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). His omission has drawn attention within bureaucratic circles, given his seniority and experience in state policing.
Selection Process as per Supreme Court Guidelines
The appointment process adheres to the Supreme Court’s directives in the Prakash Singh case, which mandate that –
- Only officers with at least six months of service remaining before retirement are eligible.
- The UPSC must prepare a panel of three suitable officers based on merit, seniority, and service record.
- The state government then makes the final appointment from the recommended names.
The state government is now awaiting the UPSC’s recommendations, which are expected in the coming weeks, to finalize the new leadership of the Maharashtra Police ahead of the year-end transition.
Smooth Transition Expected
Officials indicated that the Home Department aims to ensure a smooth transition in the state police leadership, avoiding any administrative vacuum during the changeover period.
