In a significant decision reflecting continuity in elite security leadership, the Government of India has approved the extension of tenure of Love Kumar as Inspector General (IG) in the Special Protection Group for another year. The extension has been cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, reaffirming the Centre’s confidence in the senior IPS officer’s capabilities and performance.
The order, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on April 22, 2026, follows a proposal initiated by the Office of the Secretary (Security) under the Cabinet Secretariat. With this approval, Love Kumar will continue to serve at the IG level in the SPG for a third consecutive year.
Love Kumar has been associated with the SPG since April 2024. At the time of his induction into the elite security organisation, his post—originally at the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level—was temporarily upgraded to the rank of Inspector General for a period of two years. The latest extension now prolongs this upgraded arrangement beyond April 4, 2026, ensuring his continued service at the IG level for an additional year.
Notably, the position continues to remain a temporary upgradation rather than a permanent cadre post. The DIG-level post (Level-13A) has been retained in its upgraded IG-level (Level-14) form to meet specific operational requirements. Such temporary elevations are often implemented in specialised security agencies like the SPG to address functional demands and ensure optimal leadership deployment.
Born on April 30, 1978, Love Kumar is a 2004-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He hails from Jyotiba Phule Nagar district (now Amroha) in Uttar Pradesh and holds a Bachelor of Science degree. Over the course of his career, he has built a strong reputation for professionalism, discipline, and effective leadership in challenging assignments.
Before his tenure in the SPG, Kumar served in various key positions within the Uttar Pradesh Police. He held the role of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Noida, among other sensitive postings, where he was known for maintaining law and order under demanding conditions. His experience in field policing, combined with his operational acumen, made him a suitable candidate for assignment in the SPG.
Within the SPG, Kumar initially served as DIG before being elevated to IG rank. His continuation at this level reflects both his performance and the critical nature of the responsibilities entrusted to him.
The Special Protection Group is India’s premier security force tasked with providing proximate security to the Prime Minister and other designated protectees. Officers posted in the SPG are selected through a rigorous process that evaluates their service record, expertise, and ability to operate in high-risk environments.
Widely regarded as a disciplined and composed officer, Love Kumar is known for his “no-nonsense” approach, soft-spoken demeanor, and people-centric style of policing. His extension at the IG level is expected to further strengthen the leadership framework of the SPG, ensuring continuity and efficiency in one of the country’s most critical security organisations.
