In a key administrative move, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda (IPS:1997:AGMUT), a senior IPS officer and Harvard-educated public policy expert, as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Chandigarh. Currently serving as Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence Division) in Delhi, Dr. Hooda assumes charge with immediate effect, according to the ministry’s official order.
He replaces Pushpendra Kumar (IPS:2006:AGMUT), who had held the position in an acting capacity since June 20, 2025, following a series of transitional appointments triggered by the transfer of former DGP Surendra Singh Yadav to the Border Security Force (BSF).
Strategic Appointment Amid Turbulence in UT Police Hierarchy
Dr. Hooda’s appointment comes at a time when the Chandigarh Police has been grappling with leadership instability and heightened scrutiny. The Union Territory’s policing apparatus has faced internal rifts, especially in the wake of recent high-profile investigations, including a court-monitored probe into an alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel.
A Career Marked by Leadership and Reform
Dr. Hooda’s professional credentials reflect a combination of operational command and academic excellence:
Current Role: Special Commissioner (Intelligence), Delhi Police (since Jan 2024)
Past Roles:
Special Commissioner (Law & Order): Jan 2022 – Jan 2024
Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi: Feb 2021 – Feb 2022
Additional Charges Held:
Perception Management & Media Cell Division
SPUWAC: Special Police Unit for Women and Children
SPUNER: Special Police Unit for North-Eastern Region
Academic Pedigree and Global Exposure
Dr. Hooda holds a distinguished academic background:
Edward S. Mason Fellow, Harvard University — Master’s in Public Policy Analysis (2014–2015)
Certificate in Public Finance, Duke University (2012)
Executive Training in Leadership & Globalisation, London School of Economics (2006)
PhD and MA in Sociology, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Implications for Policing in the Joint Capital
Chandigarh, as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, presents complex administrative dynamics. Dr. Hooda’s experience in intelligence, community engagement, and law enforcement is expected to reinforce leadership stability and enhance strategic policing in the region.
