Eligible officers being shortlisted under revised MHA guidelines for merit-based selection
After weeks of speculation, the Tamil Nadu government has officially initiated the process to appoint a new Director General of Police (DGP), adhering to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)-led selection framework. With incumbent DGP Shankar Jiwal (IPS:1990:TN) set to retire on August 31, 2025, the state’s Home Department is preparing to submit a list of eligible IPS officers to UPSC for consideration.
This development puts to rest rumors that the state might attempt to bypass UPSC procedures through legislative means or grant an extension to the current DGP. Instead, the government has opted to follow the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which emphasize a structured, merit-based appointment process.
UPSC to Finalize Panel for Top Police Post
Though slightly behind the recommended timeline, the state is expected to submit its list of eligible officers—those holding the DGP rank and falling within the Level-16 pay matrix—within the current week. As per MHA guidelines, the list should ideally have been sent by May 31, at least three months before the anticipated vacancy.
Officials confirmed that the Home Department has already reached out to eligible IPS officers to confirm their willingness to be considered.
Sanjay Arora Not in Contention; 8 Officers in the Fray
While Sanjay Arora (IPS:1988:TN)—currently serving as Delhi Police Commissioner—is the senior-most officer in the Tamil Nadu cadre, he is not in the running, as he is set to retire on July 31, 2025, a month before the current DGP demits office.
Two other senior officers, Pramod Kumar (IPS:1989:TN) and Shailesh Kumar Yadav (IPS:1993:TN), have also been excluded due to their upcoming retirements within the next six months.
As a result, eight officers are now under active consideration:
Seema Agrawal (IPS:1990:TN)
Rajeev Kumar (IPS:1992:TN)
Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS:1992:TN)
Abhay Kumar Singh (IPS:1992:TN)
K Vanniaperumal (IPS:1992:TN)
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal (IPS:1994:TN)
G Venkataraman (IPS:1994:TN)
Vinit Dev Wankhede (IPS:1994:TN)
Revised MHA Guidelines Tighten Eligibility
Under the recently updated MHA rules, only officers in the Level-16 pay scale are eligible for the DGP post. Additionally, the previous criterion of 30 years of service is no longer sufficient.
Officers must now also demonstrate at least 10 years of cumulative experience in key law enforcement domains, such as:
Law and Order
CB-CID and Crime Branch
Economic Offences Wing (EOW)
Cyber Crime
Crimes Against Women
Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Units
Government Railway Police
Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence
Deputation to central agencies like CBI, IB, R&AW, NIA, ED, NCB, NSG, and CAPFs
Final Selection Process
Upon receiving the state’s list, UPSC will review service records, conduct interviews if required, and recommend a panel of three shortlisted officers. The Tamil Nadu government is then required to appoint its next DGP from this panel, in accordance with Supreme Court directives and MHA guidelines aimed at ensuring transparency, meritocracy, and professionalism in top-level police appointments.
This structured process marks a clear departure from politically influenced selections, reinforcing the integrity and independence of police leadership in the state.
