Who Is IPS GS Rao? Senior Tripura Officer Takes Additional Charge as DGP After Anurag Dhankhar’s Demise
The sudden demise of Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankhar has left the state’s police establishment mourning the loss of one of its senior-most officers. As the force begins navigating this unexpected transition, the Tripura government has moved swiftly to ensure continuity in leadership by entrusting Goduguluri Srinivasa Rao (GS Rao), a senior 1999-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, with the additional charge of Director General of Police (Head of Police Force).
The appointment was notified by the General Administration (Personnel & Training) Department, which directed Rao, currently serving as Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police), to discharge the responsibilities of the state’s police chief until further orders.
Although the assignment is temporary, the responsibility is substantial. Rao now steps into the state’s highest policing office at a time when the force is coping with the emotional impact of losing its serving DGP while continuing to address law and order, internal security and policing responsibilities across Tripura.
Government Ensures Leadership Continuity After DGP’s Passing
The appointment came within hours of the tragic death of Anurag Dhankhar (IPS:1994:Tripura), who passed away while serving as the state’s Director General of Police.
According to the government notification, GS Rao will continue to function as Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police) while simultaneously holding the additional charge of Head of the Police Force (DGP).
The Tripura government described the loss as a deeply unfortunate moment for the state administration. During a Cabinet meeting, ministers paid tribute to the late police chief by observing a two-minute silence, while the government also declared July 21 as a day of State mourning in his honour.
The swift appointment of Rao reflects the government’s effort to maintain administrative continuity and operational stability within the police force during a sensitive period.
Who Is GS Rao?
Goduguluri Srinivasa Rao, widely known in police circles as GS Rao, belongs to the 1999 batch of the Indian Police Service and serves in the Tripura cadre.
Originally hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Rao has spent the overwhelming majority of his policing career in Tripura, gaining extensive experience in field policing, intelligence, counter-insurgency, police training and armed police administration.
Over more than two decades in uniform, he has built a reputation as a disciplined officer with deep operational knowledge and a thorough understanding of the state’s unique security environment.
His educational background combines technology and academics. He earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Computer Engineering from GITAM, Andhra University, before later completing a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
This combination of technical education and practical policing experience has shaped his administrative approach throughout his career.
A Career Built Across Every Layer of Tripura Policing
Unlike officers whose experience remains confined to headquarters or specialised units, GS Rao has worked extensively at the grassroots level across Tripura.
Over the years, he has handled a wide variety of assignments that exposed him to district policing, intelligence gathering, operational planning and law enforcement administration.
Some of his important field assignments include:
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Amarpur
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural), West Tripura
Commandant, 5th Battalion, Tripura State Rifles
Superintendent of Police, North Tripura
Superintendent of Police, West Tripura
Superintendent of Police, South Tripura
Superintendent of Police, Special Branch
Serving in multiple districts enabled him to understand the diverse policing requirements across the state, ranging from rural law enforcement and intelligence collection to public order management and security coordination.
Each posting added another layer of administrative and operational experience, eventually preparing him for senior leadership roles.
Recognised for Counter-Insurgency Expertise
One of the defining features of GS Rao’s professional journey has been his long association with counter-insurgency operations.
Tripura witnessed years of insurgency-related challenges, requiring coordinated action by police, intelligence agencies and security forces.
During various assignments, Rao played an active role in planning and executing operations aimed at curbing insurgent activities, restoring public confidence and strengthening internal security.
His operational experience in dealing with insurgency has earned him recognition as one of Tripura Police’s most experienced officers in handling complex security situations.
This background is expected to prove valuable as he now assumes additional responsibility for the entire police force.
Helping Shape Future IPS Officers at the National Police Academy
GS Rao’s experience extends well beyond field policing.
Between 2010 and 2017, he served on central deputation at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, India’s premier institution for IPS training.
During this seven-year tenure, he held two important academic and training assignments:
Assistant Director (Indoor Studies)
Deputy Director (Basic Course)
These roles placed him at the heart of IPS training, where he worked closely with probationary officers entering the service.
He contributed to classroom instruction, professional development programmes, leadership training and curriculum delivery for multiple IPS batches.
His tenure at the Academy gave him exposure to national policing standards and leadership development, adding another important dimension to his administrative career.
Rise Through the Senior Ranks
After completing his deputation at the National Police Academy, Rao returned to Tripura in 2017, where he was promoted as Inspector General of Police (IGP).
As IGP, he supervised several critical wings within the state police organisation, including:
Armed Police
Crime Branch
Police Training
State Police Nodal Officer responsibilities
These assignments involved strategic planning, operational supervision and institutional strengthening across different branches of the police force.
In January 2024, he was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed Police.
During this phase, he focused on improving police preparedness, strengthening training systems, modernising operational practices and enhancing the deployment capabilities of the Armed Police.
His administrative style has often been associated with systematic planning, institutional capacity building and professional policing standards.
Decorated for Distinguished Service
Throughout his career, GS Rao has received recognition for his contribution to policing and internal security.
Among the honours conferred upon him are:
Police Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak (2007) for his contribution to internal security and counter-insurgency operations.
Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2015) in recognition of his consistent professional excellence and distinguished service.
These awards acknowledge years of operational commitment and leadership across different policing assignments.
Now Leading Tripura Police During a Difficult Transition
The additional responsibility of Director General of Police places GS Rao at the helm of the Tripura Police during one of its most emotionally challenging moments.
Beyond managing routine policing responsibilities, he will oversee law and order, operational preparedness, internal administration, training, crime control and coordination among various wings of the force while the state government considers a regular appointment for the post.
His experience spans virtually every major policing domain – district policing, intelligence, counter-insurgency, armed police administration, crime investigation and police training.
That broad exposure gives him a comprehensive understanding of both operational and administrative challenges facing the force.
Although the appointment is currently on an additional-charge basis, GS Rao now assumes the responsibility of guiding Tripura Police through a period of transition, ensuring that the force continues to function with professionalism, stability and operational effectiveness until a permanent Director General of Police is appointed by the state government.
