Chennai/New Delhi: Tamil Nadu may have to wait longer for the appointment of a regular Director General of Police (DGP), as the state government has formally requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to postpone the Empanelment Committee Meeting (ECM) scheduled for May 11, 2026.
The meeting was expected to shortlist senior IPS officers for appointment as the next Tamil Nadu DGP in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines laid down in the landmark Prakash Singh case.
State Cites Need for Presence of Chief Secretary and Home Secretary
According to sources, the Tamil Nadu government informed the UPSC that the presence of both the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary would be essential over the next few days, prompting the request for deferment.
However, officials indicate that the actual reason may be the ongoing political developments and uncertainty surrounding the formation of the new government following the Assembly election results.
A senior government official is understood to have requested that the meeting be rescheduled to the last week of May.
Third Postponement of the DGP Selection Process
This is the third time the crucial UPSC meeting is being deferred.
Previous Scheduled Dates
- March 20, 2026: Deferred due to administrative reasons
- April 23, 2026: Postponed as it coincided with polling day for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections
- May 11, 2026: Fresh postponement requested by the state government
The repeated delays are likely to prolong the process of appointing a full-time police chief for the state.
Sandeep Rai Rathore to Continue as Tamil Nadu DGP
Until a regular DGP is appointed, Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS: 1992: Tamil Nadu cadre) will continue to head the state police.
Rathore was appointed by the Election Commission during the Assembly election period, replacing acting DGP G. Venkatraman (IPS: 1994: Tamil Nadu cadre).
Composition of the UPSC Empanelment Committee
The Empanelment Committee Meeting is chaired by the UPSC Chairman and typically includes:
- UPSC Chairman
- Union Home Secretary
- Director General of a Central Armed Police Force (from outside the Tamil Nadu cadre)
- Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu
- Home Secretary of Tamil Nadu
The committee shortlists eligible senior IPS officers and recommends a panel from which the state government selects the new DGP.
Appointment Governed by Supreme Court Guidelines
The selection of state DGPs is governed by the Supreme Court’s directives in the Prakash Singh case, which require UPSC empanelment to ensure transparency and merit-based appointments.
