With IPS Ashok Juneja, a 1989-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer and the current Director General of Police (DGP), set to retire on February 5, 2025, the state government is preparing to finalize a panel of senior IPS officers for the appointment of the next state police chief. Mr. Juneja, who received a six-month extension in August 2024, will vacate the post early next month.
Currently, four senior officers are seen as front-runners for the position. The state government had previously submitted a panel of three senior IPS officers (all from the 1992 batch) to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), comprising:
- Mr. Arun Dev Gautam
- Mr. Pawan Deo
- Mr. Himanshu Gupta
However, the UPSC returned the panel with certain queries, necessitating revisions.
Potential Additions to the Panel
Speculation is rife that the revised panel might include Mr. G. P. Singh, a 1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer who was compulsorily retired in July 2023 but reinstated by the Ministry of Home Affairs in December 2024. Additionally, Mr. SRP Kalluri, a 1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer, and Mr. Pradip Gupta, a 1995-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer, are also being considered as both will complete 30 years of service by early February 2025.
Current DGP-Rank Officers
The Chhattisgarh Police currently have four officers of DGP rank, heightening anticipation over who will be chosen to lead the state police force. The final selection will depend on the revised panel submitted by the state government and subsequent approval by the UPSC.
