Chandigarh: The Punjab government has formally requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to allow the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to serve as a member of the empanelment committee (EC) for selecting the state’s regular Director General of Police (DGP). This comes after the current acting DGP, Gaurav Yadav, became ineligible to serve on the committee as he is one of the contenders likely to be included in the panel Punjab plans to send to the UPSC.
Background: Supreme Court Rebuke to Punjab
The move follows a stern warning from the Supreme Court of India on March 12, when the court criticised states, including Punjab, for failing to send the panel of eligible officers to the UPSC in accordance with its directives. The Supreme Court questioned why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the violating states.
Punjab had earlier cited the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was pending presidential assent, in an attempt to justify deviations from the mandated UPSC procedure. The bill, if enacted, would have provided for a state-controlled seven-member empanelment committee, effectively bypassing the apex court’s UPSC-based procedure.
Acting DGP Gaurav Yadav and His Tenure
Superseding several senior officers, Gaurav Yadav, a 1992-batch IPS officer, was appointed as acting DGP in July 2022 after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government came to power earlier that year. Yadav has continued in the post since then, which now creates a conflict of interest as he is also likely to be considered among the eligible candidates.
Punjab’s Proposal to UPSC
The Punjab home department’s letter to the UPSC proposes that the ACS (Home) join the empanelment committee in place of the incumbent DGP. This is in addition to the Chief Secretary, who is already a member from the state.
Composition of UPSC Empanelment Committee
As per the UPSC rules, the empanelment committee comprises –
- UPSC Chairman or a member acting as chairman
- Union Home Secretary or nominee (not below the rank of Special Secretary)
- Head of the central police organisation nominated by MHA, not from the same state cadre
- Chief Secretary of the state government
- Incumbent DGP
The EC selects three candidates from a panel of eligible officers submitted by the state government. The state government then appoints one of them as the regular DGP.
Precedent: Tamil Nadu Case
Punjab’s request mirrors a similar scenario in Tamil Nadu, where the acting DGP was also a contender for the top post. On February 12, the Supreme Court permitted Tamil Nadu to replace the incumbent DGP with a senior officer to ensure due representation of the state in the EC.
Timeline of Correspondence
- Feb 5, 2026 – Supreme Court criticises states for having acting DGPs and directs UPSC action.
- Feb 18, 2026 – UPSC asks Punjab to send the panel of eligible officers within 10 days.
- March 5, 2026 – UPSC sends reminder to Punjab Chief Secretary after the state fails to submit the panel.
- March 12, 2026 – Supreme Court pulls up Punjab and other states for non-compliance.
- March 20, 2026 – Punjab requests ACS (Home) as EC member instead of incumbent DGP.
Punjab now awaits the UPSC’s approval to include the ACS (Home) in the empanelment committee. Once approved, the state is expected to submit the panel of eligible officers promptly, adhering to the Supreme Court’s directives.
Significance
This move underscores ongoing tensions between state governments and the Supreme Court-mandated procedure for DGP appointments. By replacing the incumbent DGP with the ACS (Home) in the committee, Punjab seeks to ensure impartiality in the selection process while complying with judicial guidelines.
