Senior IPS Officer Emerges as Frontrunner Ahead of Key Appointment
Tamil Nadu is on the cusp of a historic change in police leadership, with senior IPS officer Seema Agrawal (1990 batch) leading the race to become the next Director General of Police (DGP) — the Head of Police Force (HoPF). Her potential elevation follows the impending retirement of current DGP Shankar Jiwal, scheduled for August 31.
If selected, Seema Agrawal would be only the second woman ever to head the state police force, after Letika Saran (IPS:1976:TN), who served as DGP from January 2010 to March 2011.
eniority as the Deciding Factor
Currently serving as Director General of Fire and Rescue Services, Seema Agrawal is the senior-most eligible officer. Should the state government follow the principle of seniority, she would be the natural choice for the top role.
As per Union Government guidelines, the state must submit a list of candidates to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), meeting criteria such as:
Holding DGP rank (Level 16 pay matrix)
Having at least six months of service left
Maintaining an unblemished service record
Top Contenders for DGP Position
Sources indicate that the names likely to be forwarded for UPSC evaluation include:
Candidate Position
Seema Agrawal (IPS:1990:TN) DG, Fire and Rescue Services
Rajeev Kumar (IPS:1992:TN) Chief Vigilance Officer, AAVIN
Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS:1992:TN) DG, Training
The UPSC will assess the nominations and send a final panel back to the Tamil Nadu Government for the formal appointment.
A Landmark Moment for Gender Representation
Seema Agrawal’s selection would signal a powerful step forward for women in law enforcement. Her decades of dedicated service and clean track record underscore her suitability—not just as a senior officer, but as a leader who embodies competence and commitment.
Decision Pending
Political dynamics may influence the outcome, but many are watching to see if the state honors the tradition of seniority and merit. Should Seema Agrawal be appointed, it would affirm Tamil Nadu’s stance on inclusive and performance-driven leadership.
