Bihar DGP Selection: Who Are Preeta Verma, Jitendra Singh Gangwar and B Srinivasan? Senior IPS Officers in Race for Top Police Post
The process to appoint Bihar’s next full-time Director General of Police has gathered attention following the voluntary retirement of 1991-batch IPS officer Vinay Kumar. Kumar, who was serving as Bihar DGP, subsequently took charge as the state’s Chief Information Commissioner, leaving the top police position open and prompting the government to make an interim arrangement.
Senior IPS officer Preeta Verma is currently holding additional charge as acting DGP. At the same time, reports have named three senior Bihar-cadre officers – Preeta Verma, Jitendra Singh Gangwar and B Srinivasan – among those being considered for the state’s top police post. The officers belong to the 1991, 1993 and 1992 batches respectively and have held important assignments within the Bihar Police as well as, in some cases, on central deputation.
It is important to note that the names being reported as part of the possible panel do not amount to an official announcement. The final appointment will depend on the prescribed selection process and the decision of the competent authorities.
Preeta Verma – 1991-Batch Bihar-Cadre IPS Officer
Preeta Verma is a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre and is currently serving as Director General of Home Guards and Fire Services, Bihar. She became the acting DGP after Vinay Kumar proceeded on leave and continued to hold the additional responsibility following his voluntary retirement.
Verma’s career includes several senior assignments within the Bihar Police. Among her important postings was the position of DG (Training), Bihar, where she was responsible for matters relating to police training and professional development. Her experience in senior administrative and policing assignments has placed her among the officers being discussed for the DGP position.
She has also had a significant stint outside the state police establishment. Verma served on central deputation as Chief Executive Officer of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a central government organisation working under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Government records show that she served as KVIC CEO during the 2020-22 period.
Her service record also includes national-level recognition. Verma was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023 while serving as DG (Training), Bihar. The award recognised her distinguished service in the police force.
With experience in Bihar Police, training administration, central deputation and her present responsibility as acting DGP, Verma has remained central to the current interim arrangement at the top of the state’s police hierarchy.
Jitendra Singh Gangwar – 1993-Batch Bihar-Cadre IPS Officer
Jitendra Singh Gangwar is a 1993-batch IPS officer belonging to the Bihar cadre. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ IPS civil list, his educational qualification is M.E., and his service career has included several senior positions within the state police organisation.
Gangwar has held important responsibilities at Bihar Police headquarters, including the post of ADG (Headquarters). The headquarters assignment is one of the key administrative positions in a state police organisation and involves coordination across various police units and operational matters.
He was subsequently elevated to the rank of Director General and has been serving as DG of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, Bihar. The Bihar government’s Vigilance Department currently lists him as Director General of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau.
His career has also included responsibilities connected with vigilance and civil defence, giving him experience across different areas of police administration. His long service in senior Bihar Police positions is one of the factors that has brought his name into discussions surrounding the next DGP appointment.
Gangwar has received both the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Government records show that he received the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2010 and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2019.
His experience at police headquarters and in the vigilance establishment has given him exposure to both administrative and investigative responsibilities. The final decision on the DGP appointment, however, remains with the competent authorities and has not been formally announced.
B Srinivasan – 1992-Batch Bihar-Cadre IPS Officer
Brighu Srinivasan, who is also referred to in some reports as B Srinivasan, is a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ civil list records his cadre as Bihar and lists his educational qualification as B.E. (Tech.).
Srinivasan has held senior positions in Bihar Police before moving to central deputation. One of his notable state-level assignments was as ADG-cum-Director of the Bihar Police Academy at Rajgir, where he was associated with police training and professional development.
His career later took him to one of the country’s specialised security organisations. In August 2024, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment as Director General of the National Security Guard, commonly known as the NSG.
The appointment order specified that Srinivasan would continue as NSG Director General until August 31, 2027, the date of his superannuation, unless the government ordered otherwise. His tenure at the NSG has therefore been another significant phase of his career, adding central security experience to his earlier service in Bihar.
Srinivasan has also received service medals during his career. According to the IPS civil list, he has been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service as well as the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
His combination of experience in Bihar Police, police training and a senior central security assignment has made him another prominent name in discussions around the state’s next full-time DGP.
Vinay Kumar’s Exit Creates Vacancy at the Top
The current selection process follows the departure of Vinay Kumar from the DGP’s post. Kumar, a 1991-batch Bihar-cadre IPS officer, took voluntary retirement and was subsequently appointed Bihar’s Chief Information Commissioner.
His move created the need for an interim arrangement in the state police leadership. Preeta Verma was entrusted with the additional charge of DGP, allowing the police administration to continue functioning while the process for selecting a regular incumbent takes place.
The appointment of a full-time DGP is particularly significant because the officer heads the state police force and is responsible for overall supervision of law and order, crime control, policing administration and coordination across the state’s police machinery.
What Happens Next in Bihar DGP Selection?
The next step is the completion of the prescribed process for selecting Bihar’s full-time DGP. Reports have pointed to a panel or group of senior IPS officers being considered, but the reported names should not be treated as confirmation of the final appointment.
The three officers currently attracting attention – Preeta Verma, Jitendra Singh Gangwar and B Srinivasan – have different career profiles despite belonging to the same broad generation of senior Bihar-cadre IPS officers. Verma has experience in state policing, training and central government administration; Gangwar has held major responsibilities at Bihar Police headquarters and in the vigilance establishment; while Srinivasan has served in Bihar Police and subsequently headed the National Security Guard.
For now, Preeta Verma continues to hold additional charge as Bihar DGP under the interim arrangement. The permanent appointment will become clear only after the competent authority completes the selection process and issues a formal order.
Until then, the three senior IPS officers remain among the names being discussed in connection with Bihar’s next police chief, while the official decision is awaited.
