KOLKATA: West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta has been granted another six-month extension by the Centre, allowing the 1992-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer to continue as the state police chief until April 30, 2027.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the extension on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, extending Gupta’s service for another six months beyond October 31, 2026. The extension has been granted in public interest by relaxing Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.
This is Gupta’s second six-month extension. He was originally scheduled to superannuate on April 30, 2026, but the Centre had earlier extended his service until October 31. With the latest decision, his service has effectively been extended by one full year beyond his original retirement date.
S.N. Gupta to Continue as West Bengal DGP Till April 2027
Gupta’s latest extension comes at a time when he has already completed several months as West Bengal’s police chief.
The Election Commission of India appointed him as West Bengal DGP and Inspector General of Police (IGP) on March 16, 2026, ahead of the state Assembly elections. He replaced Peeyush Pandey following the Election Commission’s decision to change the state’s senior police leadership during the election period.
Gupta was nearing his scheduled retirement at the time of his appointment. He was due to superannuate on April 30, 2026, but the Centre subsequently approved his first six-month extension, allowing him to remain in service until October 31.
The latest ACC decision now permits him to continue for another six months, taking his extended tenure up to April 30, 2027.
Who Is S.N. Gupta?
Siddh Nath Gupta is a 1992-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre. According to the official IPS civil list, he was born on April 22, 1966, and joined the IPS on October 14, 1992. The civil list records his academic qualification as M.Tech and lists the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and Police Medal for Gallantry among his honours.
Gupta is originally from Uttar Pradesh and is associated with Fatehpur district. He completed his schooling in the region before pursuing higher education at IIT Kanpur.
He completed his B.Tech from IIT Kanpur in 1988 and subsequently obtained an M.Tech degree from the institution in 1990.
From IRS Selection to IPS
Before entering the IPS, Gupta had cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and was initially selected for the Indian Revenue Service in 1991.
He subsequently appeared again and joined the Indian Police Service on October 14, 1992, as part of the West Bengal cadre.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Gupta has held several important assignments across field policing, intelligence, crime records and senior police administration.
His career has included postings as Superintendent of Police, Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General, giving him experience in both district-level policing and senior-level police administration.
From SCRB to Intelligence Branch
Before becoming the state police chief, Gupta held important positions in West Bengal Police.
He served as Director General of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB). The official IPS civil list records him as DGP, SCRB, West Bengal, from February 1, 2024, in Level 16.
He subsequently became Director General of the Intelligence Branch (IB) of West Bengal Police in July 2025.
His experience in intelligence, crime records and field policing became particularly relevant when he was brought in as the state police chief during the 2026 Assembly election period.
Appointment as West Bengal DGP Ahead of Assembly Elections
On March 16, 2026, the Election Commission appointed Gupta as the new DGP and IGP of West Bengal.
The appointment came after the poll panel ordered changes in the state’s senior police leadership ahead of the Assembly elections. Along with the DGP, the Election Commission also transferred the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the DG of Correctional Services and the ADG of Law and Order.
Gupta was therefore brought into the top police post at a particularly important stage, despite being only weeks away from his scheduled retirement.
The subsequent service extension allowed him to remain in the position beyond April 30.
Centre Grants Second Extension
The latest extension has again been approved by the ACC on a proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The decision extends Gupta’s service for six months beyond October 31, 2026, in relaxation of Rule 16(1) of the AIS (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, and has been described as being in public interest.
Under the normal retirement provision, All India Service officers retire on attaining the prescribed age of 60. Gupta’s latest extension therefore allows him to remain in service beyond his normal superannuation date.
The first extension, approved in April, had already taken his service six months beyond the original April 30 retirement date.
Awards and Honours
Gupta has received several police honours during his career.
His listed decorations include:
- Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), 2005
- Police Medal for Meritorious Service, 2008
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS), 2016
The official IPS civil list confirms these awards against his service record.
Areas of Experience
Gupta’s career has involved a combination of field policing, intelligence, crime-record management, election-related security and senior police administration.
His assignments across the State Crime Records Bureau and Intelligence Branch, followed by his elevation as DGP, have given him experience in areas including law-and-order management, police administration, election security and police modernisation.
As West Bengal DGP, he continues to head the state police force and oversee its law-and-order and security responsibilities.
Gupta’s Extended Tenure
With the latest six-month extension, Gupta’s service trajectory now runs significantly beyond his original retirement schedule.
He was initially due to retire on April 30, 2026. His first extension took him to October 31, 2026, while the second extension will now take his service to April 30, 2027.
Thus, the 1992-batch IPS officer will remain at the helm of West Bengal Police for another six months unless there is any subsequent change in the arrangement.
The decision also means that the state will continue to have Gupta as DGP through the first half of 2027, following his appointment to the post by the Election Commission in March 2026.
Read Also: From IRS to IPS to DGP : Siddh Nath Gupta Steps In as West Bengal’s New DGP at a Crucial Time
