Selection Process in Final Stage; CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to Make Final Decision
Jaipur: Rajasthan is poised to appoint a new Director General of Police (DGP) from July 1, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) expected to finalize a shortlist of three senior IPS officers. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will select the new police chief from this panel.
Interim DGP in Place Till June 30
Currently, Ravi Prakash Meharda, a 1990-batch IPS officer and Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), is serving as the acting DGP. He was appointed to the role on June 10 following the voluntary retirement of former DGP Utkal Ranjan Sahu, a 1988-batch officer. Mr. Sahu has since been appointed as the Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
Final Stage of Selection Process
The Rajasthan government has already submitted a list of eligible officers to the UPSC, comprising IPS officers who:
-
Are on the DGP cadre seniority list
-
Have completed a minimum of 30 years in service
-
Have at least six months of service remaining before retirement
Based on this, UPSC will hold a meeting to select a three-member panel. The names will then be forwarded to the state government, and the Chief Minister will make the final appointment.
Top Contenders in the Race
The key names under consideration include:
-
Rajeev Kumar Sharma (IPS, 1990): Currently serving as Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), New Delhi. He has been on Central deputation since April 2024.
-
Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IPS, 1992): The most senior IPS officer presently serving in Rajasthan.
-
Anand Kumar Srivastava (IPS, 1994): Meets all eligibility criteria and is also in contention.
If the appointment is delayed beyond July 1, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal is likely to be given interim charge due to his seniority and current posting within the state.
Context and Significance
The appointment of a full-time DGP is part of a routine but significant administrative process aimed at ensuring stability and long-term leadership in Rajasthan’s policing. The decision is being closely watched as it will shape the state’s law enforcement strategy and continuity.
