Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to process the state government’s recommendations for appointing the Director General of Police – Head of Police Force (DGP-HoPF) and complete the exercise within four weeks.
The order came amidst a petition challenging the appointment of B. Shivadhar Reddy as DGP-HoPF. Justice Pulla Karthik, while issuing the direction, also dismissed an interim application filed by petitioner Dhanagopal, which sought to suspend Reddy’s appointment. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on 5 February 2026.
HC Directs Expedited Processing by UPSC
In its interim order, the High Court stated:
“The UPSC shall commence the entire exercise, which shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, within a period of four weeks, and report compliance to the court.”
The court emphasized that the UPSC must proceed strictly in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines laid down in the landmark Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, which sets out the framework for DGP appointments across all states.
Background of the Case
In December 2025, the Telangana government sent a revised list of eligible officers to the UPSC after correcting deficiencies previously highlighted by the commission.
The central panel returned the list on 1 January 2026, advising the state to seek clarification from the Supreme Court, noting that the list was not fully aligned with apex court directions.
Petitioner Dhanagopal had sought a temporary suspension of Shivadhar Reddy’s appointment, arguing it was contrary to Supreme Court guidelines.
Arguments During Hearings
The High Court’s hearings involved submissions from:
- Telangana state government
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Union Home Ministry
- Counsel representing B. Shivadhar Reddy
Despite arguments for interim suspension, the court declined to stay Reddy’s appointment.
Key Takeaways
The UPSC has been tasked to complete the DGP selection process within four weeks.
The appointment must comply with the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh guidelines, ensuring merit-based, transparent selection of state police chiefs.
The matter will be revisited on 5 February 2026 for compliance verification and further proceedings.
