Race Heats Up for Maharashtra’s Top Cop Post: 7 Senior IPS Officers in the Fray as State Awaits UPSC Panel; DGP Rashmi Shukla Nears Retirement
The Maharashtra government has kickstarted the process of appointing a new Director General of Police (DGP) as the tenure of the incumbent, Rashmi Shukla (IPS: 1988: MH), draws to a close on December 31, 2025. A list of seven senior IPS officers has been shortlisted and forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for review.
Seven Senior Officers in the Running
According to sources in the Home Department, the panel of shortlisted names was dispatched to the UPSC on October 31, 2025. The Commission will now assess the service profiles, integrity records, and seniority of these officers before recommending a final list of three names to the state government.
Those shortlisted for consideration 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, currently heading the NIA, is viewed as the frontrunner. With his retirement slated for December 2026, he remains one of the few candidates capable of ensuring continuity in the DGP’s office for a substantial tenure.
Notable Omission: Amitabh Gupta Missing from the List
In a surprising turn, Amitabh Gupta (IPS: 1992: MH) — presently serving on central deputation with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) — has not been included in the shortlist. His absence has sparked quiet discussions within bureaucratic circles, as Gupta was earlier seen as a strong contender given his long service and field experience.
Process Guided by Supreme Court Norms
The selection follows the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh guidelines, which stipulate that:
Only officers with a minimum of six months of service remaining before superannuation are eligible. The UPSC must curate a merit-based panel of three officers, balancing seniority and service record. The final choice rests with the state government from among those three names.
Smooth Succession Expected in Police Leadership
Officials familiar with the matter stated that the government is keen on a seamless transition to ensure operational stability in the state police force. Once the UPSC submits its recommendations in the coming weeks, the state cabinet is expected to finalize the appointment promptly to avoid any leadership vacuum as Rashmi Shukla demits office.
The race for Maharashtra’s top police post now enters its decisive phase — one that will determine the next face of law enforcement in the state for years to come.
