Lucknow: After nearly four years without a full-time police chief, Uttar Pradesh is set to appoint a permanent Director General of Police (DGP). According to sources, current acting DGP Rajeev Krishna is expected to be officially named the new DGP of the state soon, following recommendations from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
A panel of three senior IPS officers has already been sent to the Uttar Pradesh government, and the final appointment is likely to be made shortly.
UPSC Sends Panel of Three Senior IPS Officers
The UPSC meeting held in Delhi on May 26 finalized a list of three senior IPS officers for consideration as Uttar Pradesh’s next DGP. The panel includes:
- Renuka Mishra (1990 batch) – Senior-most officer in the list
- Piyush Anand (1991 batch) – Currently serving as DG, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on central deputation
- Rajeev Krishna (1991 batch) – Current acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh
While Renuka Mishra ranks highest in seniority, sources indicate that the Uttar Pradesh government had earlier considered her “unsuitable” for the role. Despite this, her name was included in the UPSC-recommended panel.
Rajeev Krishna Likely to Be Appointed Permanent DGP
Among the three officers, Rajeev Krishna is reportedly the government’s preferred candidate. His appointment as permanent DGP is now considered highly likely, with only the formal government order (GO) remaining.
Officials suggest that since the UPSC panel has been submitted, the final decision by the state government could be announced at any time.
Expected Tenure and Service Timeline
Once appointed, Rajeev Krishna will serve as permanent DGP for a minimum tenure of two years, as per UPSC guidelines and Supreme Court directives.
Key details of his service timeline include:
- Acting DGP since: June 1, 2025
- Expected permanent tenure: Minimum 2 years
- Total possible tenure as DGP: Around 3 years (including acting period)
- Service retirement: June 2029
If confirmed, he would become one of the longest-serving top police chiefs in Uttar Pradesh in recent years.
A Record Tenure in Recent UP Police History
Rajeev Krishna could create a record by serving as DGP for approximately three years, including his current acting period. This would mark a rare instance of stability in the state’s top police leadership.
Frequent Leadership Changes Before Permanent Appointment
Uttar Pradesh has witnessed frequent changes in the DGP position since the removal of Mukul Goel in May 2022, who was the last permanent DGP.
Since then, the state has seen multiple acting DGPs, including:
- DS Chauhan
- R.K. Vishwakarma
- Vijay Kumar
- Prashant Kumar
- Rajeev Krishna (current acting DGP since June 1, 2025)
Rajeev Krishna was appointed acting DGP after superseding 11 senior IPS officers at the time.
Final Decision Expected Soon
With the UPSC panel already submitted and most senior officers either retired or on central deputation, the appointment process is now nearing completion. Officials suggest that the government’s final order could be issued shortly, formally confirming Rajeev Krishna as Uttar Pradesh’s permanent DGP.
