Chandigarh/New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has scheduled an empanelment committee meeting on June 30 to shortlist three senior IPS officers for appointment as the regular Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, setting the stage for the state’s first full-time police chief in nearly four years.
The development comes months after the Supreme Court reiterated the need for strict adherence to the UPSC-led selection process for appointing state police chiefs and criticized states for continuing with “acting” DGP arrangements.
The Punjab government will make the final selection from the panel of three officers recommended by the UPSC.
Punjab to Get Regular DGP After Nearly Four Years
Punjab has been functioning under an officiating DGP arrangement since July 2022, when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government appointed Gaurav Yadav, a 1992-batch IPS officer, as acting DGP.
The upcoming appointment is significant because the selected officer will enjoy a minimum fixed tenure of two years, irrespective of the date of superannuation, in line with Supreme Court guidelines on police reforms.
The appointment is expected to provide leadership stability to the Punjab Police ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled in early 2027.
Supreme Court Directive Triggered Selection Process
The UPSC initiated the process on February 18, 2026, after seeking a list of eligible officers from the Punjab government.
The move followed a Supreme Court order issued on February 5, 2026, in which the apex court expressed concern over several states continuing to appoint acting DGPs instead of following the prescribed selection process.
The court reiterated compliance with the landmark Prakash Singh police reforms judgment, which mandates that states appoint DGPs from a UPSC-prepared panel of eligible officers.
Punjab Government Sends List of 14 IPS Officers
In response to UPSC’s request, the Punjab government forwarded a panel of 14 eligible IPS officers on April 6.
The officers belong to the 1992, 1993, and 1994 batches of the Indian Police Service and represent some of the most senior police leadership positions in the state.
Four Officers from the 1992 Batch Lead the Race
The 1992 batch is widely viewed as producing the strongest contenders for the state’s top police post.
Sharad Satya Chauhan
Currently serving as Special DGP-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau, Sharad Satya Chauhan is the senior-most officer among the 1992-batch contenders.
His experience in vigilance and anti-corruption administration makes him one of the key names under consideration.
Harpreet Singh Sidhu
A highly regarded senior IPS officer, Harpreet Singh Sidhu is currently awaiting posting.
Known for his investigative and policing experience, Sidhu remains among the most prominent contenders for the post.
Gaurav Yadav
The incumbent officiating DGP, Gaurav Yadav has been leading the Punjab Police since July 2022.
His tenure has witnessed intensified anti-drug operations, counter-gangster initiatives, and efforts to strengthen law and order.
Being the serving police chief gives him a significant advantage in the selection process.
Kuldeep Singh
Kuldeep Singh currently serves as Special DGP, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and has played a key role in Punjab’s anti-drug enforcement strategy.
He is also among the four senior-most officers being considered.
Three Officers from the 1993 Batch
The list also includes three senior IPS officers from the 1993 batch.
Gurpreet Kaur Deo
Currently serving as Special DGP, Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs, Gurpreet Kaur Deo has extensive experience in community policing and women-centric initiatives.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Jain
Dr. Jain serves as Special DGP, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and brings substantial administrative experience.
Shashi Prabha Dwivedi
Shashi Prabha Dwivedi currently holds the position of Special DGP, Railways, overseeing railway security and related operations.
Seven Officers from the 1994 Batch Included
The largest group in the eligibility list comes from the 1994 batch.
The officers include:
- Sudhanshu Shekhar Srivastava – Special DGP, Headquarters
- Praveen Kumar Sinha – Special DGP, Law & Order
- Amardeep Singh Rai – Special DGP, Traffic & Road Safety
- Voruvuru Neeraja – Special DGP, Cyber Crime
- Anita Punj – Special DGP-cum-Director, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy
- Dr. Naresh Kumar – Special DGP, Human Rights
- Ram Singh – Special DGP, Technical Support Services
These officers collectively represent expertise across cybercrime, law and order, police training, human rights, traffic management, and technical policing.
Clarifications Sought Before UPSC Meeting
The UPSC scheduled the June 30 meeting after receiving clarifications from the Punjab government on certain issues concerning the eligibility list.
Among the matters examined were:
- The present status of pending cases involving Sharad Satya Chauhan.
- Clarification regarding the half-pay leave availed by Kuldeep Singh between February 23 and October 16.
The state government’s response reportedly addressed the concerns, enabling the UPSC to move forward with the empanelment process.
Composition of the UPSC Empanelment Committee
The committee responsible for preparing the final panel consists of:
- UPSC Chairman (or a designated UPSC Member)
- Union Home Secretary or a nominee not below the rank of Special Secretary
- Head of a Central Police Organisation nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Chief Secretary of the concerned state
- Director General of Police of the concerned state
However, because Gaurav Yadav is himself a candidate for the DGP post, the UPSC has permitted Punjab to replace him on the committee with the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to avoid any conflict of interest.
What Happens Next?
The empanelment committee will scrutinize the service records, experience, seniority, and overall suitability of the 14 officers before preparing a shortlist of three names.
Once the panel is submitted, the Punjab government will have the authority to select one officer as the state’s regular Director General of Police.
The appointment is expected to be one of the most significant administrative decisions in Punjab this year, given the state’s security challenges, anti-drug campaigns, border management concerns, and the approaching 2027 Assembly elections.
With the UPSC process now entering its final stage, attention is focused on whether the state opts for continuity under incumbent Gaurav Yadav or chooses a new leader from among Punjab’s most senior police officers.
