UP Police Administrative Overhaul 2026: Massive Reshuffle Involves 24 IPS Officers; New Police Chiefs Assigned to 11 Districts Including Gorakhpur and Meerut
In an extensive late-night administrative realignment on Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh government executed a sweeping reshuffle of its police hierarchy, transferring 24 IPS officers. This significant restructuring saw the reassignment of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) across 11 critical districts, alongside high-level promotions and strategic shifts within the state’s primary police commissionerates.
Medical Professional Turned Cop Takes Helm in Gorakhpur
In one of the most notable appointments, Dr. Kaustubh, a former eye surgeon who practiced medicine for seven years before transitioning to the Indian Police Service, has been designated as the new SSP of Gorakhpur. This posting carries immense political weight, as Gorakhpur serves as the home district of the Chief Minister. Dr. Kaustubh moves to this high-profile role from his previous tenure as SP Jaunpur.
Strategic Leadership Changes and Promotions
The reshuffle serves a dual purpose: elevating seasoned officers to higher ranks and streamlining law enforcement in sensitive zones.
Praveen Kumar, formerly the IG of Ayodhya Range, has been elevated to the rank of Additional Director General (ADG), Lucknow Zone.
Sujit Pandey (1994 batch), widely recognized for his tactical acumen and previous service as ADG Lucknow, has been promoted to Director General (DG), Fire and Emergency Services.
Somen Verma, following his promotion to Inspector General (IG) rank, transitions from Mirzapur to take charge in Ayodhya.
Key District Appointments and Officer Profiles
The state government has strategically placed dynamic officers in regions requiring robust oversight:
Meerut: Avinash Pandey (2015 batch), an officer known for leading an encounter against three Khalistani terrorists during his time in Pilibhit, has been appointed as the new SSP of Meerut.
Gautam Buddh Nagar: Anukriti Sharma (2020 batch), who rose to prominence for exposing a massive ₹100 crore insurance fraud and her compassionate policing in Bulandshahr, has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP).
Mirzapur: Aparna Rajat Kaushik (2015 batch), a former business analyst known for her stringent crackdown on organized crime in Lucknow, assumes the role of SP Mirzapur.
Lakhimpur Kheri: Khyati Garg (2013 batch), an experienced officer with a track record in Lucknow and Amethi, will now lead the police force in the Terai region.
Basti: Sukirti Madhav Mishra (2015 batch), an officer who gained national fame for his evocative poetry recited before the Prime Minister, takes over as the district head.
Structural Shifts in Police Commissionerates
The reshuffle also impacted the leadership tiers of the state’s urban commissionerates. Raj Karan Nayyar, the outgoing SSP of Gorakhpur, has been moved to Ghaziabad as Additional Commissioner of Police.
Additionally, Sankalp Sharma (DIG Mirzapur) and Vipin Tada (DIG/SSP Meerut) have both been transitioned to the Kanpur Commissionerate to serve as Joint Commissioners of Police.
This large-scale reorganization highlights the state’s commitment to placing battle-tested and academically diverse officers in pivotal roles to ensure the effective maintenance of law and order across Uttar Pradesh.
