Shillong: The Meghalaya government is examining the procedure for appointing the next Director General of Police (DGP) as the extended tenure of incumbent DGP Idashisha Nongrang approaches its conclusion on November 19, 2026.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Home (Police) portfolio, said on November 12 that the government was looking into the succession process ahead of Nongrang’s scheduled retirement.
Nongrang, Meghalaya’s first woman DGP, was appointed to head the state police force on May 20, 2024, for a two-year tenure. The Centre subsequently approved a six-month extension, taking her tenure until November 19, 2026.
The succession process has attracted attention following questions raised by the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) over the status of the state’s proposal to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
UPSC Sent Three Communications Seeking State’s Proposal
The appointment process requires the Meghalaya government to send a proposal to the UPSC for convening an Empanelment Committee Meeting (ECM). The committee prepares a panel of eligible senior IPS officers for consideration for the post of DGP.
Read Also: Who Is Idashisha Nongrang? Meghalaya’s First Woman DGP Nears End of Tenure Amid Succession Delay
According to reports citing the Commission’s communications, the UPSC approached the Meghalaya government on three occasions:
- May 14, 2026: The Commission initially sought the state’s proposal for the empanelment process.
- August 5, 2026: A reminder was sent to the state government.
- September 24, 2026: The UPSC issued another communication, marked as Reminder-II, seeking the pending proposal.
The September communication was addressed to Meghalaya Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed (IAS: 1995: AM). The Commission reportedly sought compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the appointment of state police chiefs.
VPP Questions Delay in Initiating Selection Process
The issue was raised by the opposition Voice of the People Party after it referred to the UPSC’s September 24 communication.
VPP spokesperson Dr. A.W. Rani questioned why the state government had not submitted the required proposal despite the Commission’s repeated communications.
The party sought clarification on the status of the proposal and the steps taken by the government to facilitate the Empanelment Committee Meeting.
The government had earlier maintained that it was following the prescribed procedures. On October 15, Tynsong said the state was complying with the requirements of the UPSC and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
His latest statement on November 12 indicates that the government is examining the succession process as the incumbent’s extended tenure nears its end.
What Is the Procedure for Appointing a State DGP?
The appointment of a regular state DGP follows the framework laid down by the Supreme Court in its directions in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case.
Under the prescribed procedure, the UPSC empanels eligible senior police officers based on their service record, seniority and experience. The state government then selects its DGP from the panel prepared by the Commission.
The Supreme Court’s directions also require states to initiate the process sufficiently in advance.
Key requirements include:
- Advance submission: States must send their proposals to the UPSC at least three months before the incumbent DGP’s retirement.
- Empanelment: The UPSC convenes the Empanelment Committee Meeting to assess eligible officers and prepare a panel.
- State’s selection: The state government appoints the DGP from among the officers included in the UPSC panel.
- Minimum tenure: A regular DGP is ordinarily entitled to a minimum tenure of two years, subject to the applicable legal provisions and exceptions.
The Supreme Court reiterated these requirements in its subsequent orders, including its July 3, 2018, directions in the Prakash Singh matter.
Idashisha Nongrang’s Tenure Nears Completion
Idashisha Nongrang (IPS: 1992: AM) took charge as Meghalaya’s first woman Director General of Police on May 20, 2024. Her initial appointment was for two years, followed by a six-month extension approved by the Centre.
Her extended tenure is scheduled to end on November 19, 2026.
With the retirement date approaching, the status of the UPSC empanelment process and the government’s next steps remain central to the appointment of her successor.
The Meghalaya government has not announced the name of a new regular DGP in the statements cited in the reports.
Read Also: Meghalaya DGP Appointment Delay: Opposition Seeks Answers as UPSC Awaits Government Proposal
