The Kerala government is reportedly considering bypassing the UPSC’s anticipated shortlist for the state’s next police chief, potentially extending the current DGP’s tenure instead.
Key Developments
The UPSC is expected to recommend three officers for the DGP post:
Nitin Agarwal (IPS:1989:KL)
Ravada Chandrasekhar (IPS:1991:KL)
Yogesh Gupta (IPS:1993:KL)
However, the state government appears reluctant to appoint any of these officers and may instead:
Continue with an in-charge DGP (as done in UP and nine other states)
Extend the current DGP’s tenure until the shortlisted officers retire
Alternative Contenders
If Agarwal is excluded, Manoj Abraham (IPS:1994:KL) could be included in the UPSC panel, improving his chances. The state’s initial list sent to the Centre also included:
Suresh Raj Purohit
M R Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:KL)
Why the Delay?
The state’s hesitation suggests dissatisfaction with the seniority-based selection process. A final decision is pending as Kerala weighs its options between UPSC norms and administrative continuity.
The move could set a precedent, highlighting tensions between state preferences and central appointment procedures.
