Mumbai: Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sadanand Date is set to assume the role of Director General of Police (DGP) for Maharashtra. His tenure is expected to continue until December 2026. Date will succeed the current DGP, Rashmi Shukla, who is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2025.
Currently, Date serves as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a position he has held since March 27, 2024.
From NIA to State Leadership
Sadanand Date’s appointment as Maharashtra DGP places him at the helm of the state police force, overseeing law and order, crime prevention, and counter-terrorism operations. During his tenure at the NIA, he led the national agency responsible for investigating terror-related cases across India.
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Seven IPS Officers in Contention
According to official sources, the list of shortlisted officers was sent to the UPSC on October 31, 2025, for further scrutiny. The Commission examined their service records and recommended a panel of three names to the state government, from which the final selection was to be made.
The seven officers shortlisted for the post are –
- Sadanand Date (IPS: 1990: MH) – Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Sanjay Verma (IPS: 1990: MH)
- Ritesh Kumar (IPS: 1992: MH)
- Sanjeev Kumar Singhal (IPS: 1992: MH)
- Archana Tyagi (IPS: 1993: MH)
- Sanjeev Kumar (IPS: 1993: MH)
- Prashant Burde (IPS: 1993: MH)
Among these, Sadanand Date, who currently heads the NIA, is considered the senior-most officer and a strong contender. He is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2026, which would allow for a longer tenure in the top post if appointed.
Who is Sadanand Date?
Born on December 14, 1966, Sadanand Date is a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre. Hailing from Pune, Date’s early life was marked by financial challenges; he once sold newspapers to support his family. His distinguished career spans various critical roles in Maharashtra and at the national level.
Heroism During the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
Date gained national and international recognition during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. As Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region), he led a team to confront terrorists at Cama and Albless Hospital, where many women and children were trapped. Despite being injured by grenade splinters, Date continued to engage the terrorists, coordinating his team and reporting their positions until he lost consciousness.
For his bravery, he was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, recognizing his critical role in managing the crisis that claimed the lives of 18 police personnel, including senior officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar.
Distinguished Career in Policing
Sadanand Date has held multiple senior positions:
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Inspector General (Operations) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- Commissioner of Police for Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar city (MBVV)
- Director General of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra
He holds a Master’s in Commerce and a doctorate in economic offences from Pune University. Date is also a qualified Cost and Management Accountant and attended the University of Minnesota under the Humphrey Fellowship Program, focusing on combating white-collar and organized crime.
During his tenure in Mumbai Police, he established a lab to monitor social media content and a training center for Special Branch officers, reflecting his forward-thinking approach to law enforcement.
Central Deputation and National Assignments
Date’s career also includes significant stints on central deputation, including assignments in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, the CRPF, and the Union Law Ministry. As the first head of the MBVV Police Commissionerate, he set up policing systems for Mumbai’s adjoining Thane and Palghar districts.
Legacy of Bravery and Service
Sadanand Date’s career combines frontline bravery, administrative acumen, and national-level expertise in counter-terrorism and economic offences. His appointment as Maharashtra DGP is seen as a continuation of his dedication to public service and law enforcement excellence.
