After Four Years of Uncertainty, Uttar Pradesh Nears Permanent DGP Appointment as Rajeev Krishna Emerges Clear Favourite
Uttar Pradesh is poised to appoint a permanent Director General of Police after nearly four years. IPS officer Rajeev Krishna has emerged as the frontrunner following UPSC recommendations, with a potential tenure extending until 2029 and bringing long-awaited stability to the state’s police leadership.
After Four Years of Uncertainty, Uttar Pradesh Nears Permanent DGP Appointment as Rajeev Krishna Emerges Clear Favourite
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh appears to be on the verge of ending a prolonged phase of uncertainty at the top of its police hierarchy. Nearly four years after the state last had a full-time Director General of Police (DGP), the process to appoint a permanent police chief has entered its final stage, with senior IPS officer Rajeev Krishna emerging as the strongest contender for the coveted post.
Sources familiar with the developments indicate that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has completed its deliberations and forwarded a panel of three senior IPS officers to the Uttar Pradesh government. While the official announcement is still awaited, administrative circles in Lucknow believe that the state government is likely to choose Rajeev Krishna as its next permanent DGP.
If the appointment goes through as expected, it would not only bring stability to the leadership of the country’s largest police force but could also make Rajeev Krishna one of the longest-serving police chiefs Uttar Pradesh has seen in recent years.
End of a Four-Year Leadership Vacuum
The anticipated appointment carries considerable significance because Uttar Pradesh has not had a permanent DGP since May 2022.
The last officer to hold the post on a full-time basis was IPS officer Mukul Goel. Following his removal, the state witnessed a succession of acting police chiefs, creating a situation where leadership at the very top remained transitional for an extended period.
While the functioning of the police force continued uninterrupted, the absence of a permanent DGP often sparked discussions within administrative and policing circles about continuity, long-term planning, and institutional stability.
Now, with the UPSC panel in place and the selection process nearing completion, the state appears ready to return to a more stable leadership structure.
UPSC Finalises Three-Name Panel
The crucial breakthrough came during a UPSC meeting held in New Delhi on May 26, where the commission finalized a shortlist of three senior IPS officers eligible for appointment as Uttar Pradesh’s next Director General of Police.
The panel reportedly includes:
Renuka Mishra (1990 batch IPS officer) – the senior-most officer among the shortlisted candidates.
Piyush Anand (1991 batch IPS officer) – currently serving as Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on central deputation.
Rajeev Krishna (1991 batch IPS officer) – presently serving as the acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh.
The panel has already been forwarded to the state government, which will now make the final selection from among the recommended names.
Although all three officers possess extensive administrative and policing experience, sources suggest that Rajeev Krishna remains the government’s preferred choice.
Why Rajeev Krishna Is Seen as the Front-Runner
Among the officers included in the UPSC panel, Rajeev Krishna appears to enjoy a significant advantage.
He has been serving as Uttar Pradesh’s acting Director General of Police since June 1, 2025, giving him nearly a year of experience leading the state’s police machinery.
During this period, he has overseen law-and-order management, crime control initiatives, policing reforms, and technology-driven law enforcement efforts across the state.
Officials familiar with the process indicate that his current position, operational experience, and familiarity with ongoing policing priorities place him in a strong position for the permanent appointment.
Many observers believe that the state government may prefer continuity at a time when law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on technology, intelligence-driven operations, and coordinated action against organized crime networks.
As a result, administrative circles widely view the appointment as a formality awaiting official notification.
What Happens Next?
With the UPSC recommendation process completed, the matter now rests with the Uttar Pradesh government.
The state administration is expected to issue a formal Government Order (GO) naming the next DGP.
Sources indicate that the announcement could come at any time, as there are no major procedural hurdles remaining.
Once the order is issued, Rajeev Krishna would officially assume charge as Uttar Pradesh’s permanent Director General of Police.
A Potentially Long and Influential Tenure
One of the most important aspects of the expected appointment is the length of tenure that Rajeev Krishna could enjoy.
Under Supreme Court guidelines and UPSC norms governing DGP appointments, a selected officer is generally entitled to a minimum tenure of two years.
For Rajeev Krishna, however, the overall period spent leading the state’s police force could be considerably longer.
According to available service records:
He assumed charge as acting DGP on June 1, 2025.
His retirement is scheduled for June 2029.
If appointed now, he would receive a minimum fixed tenure as permanent DGP.
Including his period as acting police chief, his overall tenure at the top could approach three years.
Such continuity is relatively rare in Uttar Pradesh, where leadership changes at the highest level have often occurred more frequently.
A longer tenure would allow the police chief to pursue medium-term reforms, strengthen institutional initiatives, and ensure sustained implementation of strategic policing priorities.
Renuka Mishra and Piyush Anand Also in Contention
Although Rajeev Krishna is widely regarded as the leading candidate, the inclusion of Renuka Mishra and Piyush Anand in the UPSC panel reflects their seniority and experience.
Renuka Mishra, a 1990-batch IPS officer, is the senior-most among the three names recommended by the commission.
However, sources suggest that the state government had earlier expressed reservations regarding her suitability for the post. Despite those concerns, UPSC included her name in the final panel based on the prescribed selection process.
Piyush Anand, another highly experienced officer from the 1991 batch, currently heads the National Disaster Response Force. His experience in disaster management and leadership at the national level has earned him considerable respect within the service.
Nevertheless, indications from government circles continue to point toward Rajeev Krishna as the preferred choice.
A History of Frequent Changes at the Top
The significance of the impending appointment becomes clearer when viewed against the backdrop of recent leadership transitions within the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Since the departure of Mukul Goel, the state has witnessed a series of acting DGPs, including:
D.S. Chauhan
R.K. Vishwakarma
Vijay Kumar
Prashant Kumar
Rajeev Krishna
Each officer handled the responsibilities of the post during different phases, ensuring continuity in operations. Yet the absence of a permanent appointment meant that the leadership structure remained temporary.
The expected selection of Rajeev Krishna is therefore being viewed as an attempt to restore long-term stability at the highest level of the force.
The Officer Who Rose Above Eleven Seniors
Rajeev Krishna’s elevation to acting DGP in June 2025 had already attracted attention within bureaucratic and policing circles.
At the time of his appointment, he was elevated over eleven senior IPS officers, a decision that signaled the government’s confidence in his leadership capabilities and administrative approach.
Since then, he has remained closely associated with several policing initiatives across the state, including efforts aimed at modernizing law enforcement systems, improving crime monitoring mechanisms, and strengthening field-level accountability.
His continuation as permanent DGP would effectively reinforce the government’s earlier decision and provide him with the authority to pursue longer-term reforms.
Stability at a Critical Time
The appointment comes at a crucial juncture for Uttar Pradesh, a state with one of the largest and most complex policing systems in India.
Managing law and order across a vast population, combating organized crime, ensuring public safety, and integrating technology into policing operations require consistent leadership and strategic direction.
Many observers believe that a permanent DGP with a reasonably long tenure can provide exactly that.
For the Uttar Pradesh Police, the forthcoming decision is more than a routine administrative appointment. It represents an opportunity to bring continuity, strengthen institutional planning, and create a stable command structure capable of addressing the challenges of modern policing.
With the UPSC panel already submitted and the government’s decision expected shortly, all eyes are now on Lucknow. Unless there is an unexpected turn in the process, Rajeev Krishna appears set to become Uttar Pradesh’s first permanent Director General of Police in nearly four years, ushering in a new phase of leadership for the state’s police force.
