Why in News?
In 2026, the Supreme Court of India flagged the growing practice of States appointing ‘Acting’ or ‘ad-hoc’ Directors General of Police (DGPs) instead of regular DGPs, terming it a violation of its 2006 Prakash Singh judgment on police reforms.
Description:
Appointment of State DGPs:
1. Definition & Authority:
- The DGP: Highest-ranking police officer in the State
- Appointing Authority: State Government, but only from a panel prepared by the UPSC.
2. The Appointment Procedure (UPSC Guidelines):
- These guidelines were made based on the Supreme Court judgment on police reforms in Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006).
- Timeline: States must send proposals to UPSC 6 months before the incumbent retires.
- Mechanism: Single-Window System (Launched recently) using standardized formats for service records, appraisals, and vigilance clearance.
- Selection Committee (as per UPSC guidelines):
- Chair: UPSC Chairman
- Members:
- Union Home Secretary
- State Chief Secretary
- Incumbent or outgoing State DGP
- One of the heads of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), who is not from the same State cadre
- Outcome: The committee shortlists three officers based on merit and seniority. The State must immediately appoint one from this trio.
3. Eligibility Criteria (Post-2023 Amendments):
- Rank: ADG or above (or as specified by the state).
- Service Length: Minimum 25 years of service (reduced from 30 years in 2023).
- Residual Tenure: Only officers with at least 6 months of service left before retirement are considered.
- Central Deputation: If the MHA refuses to relieve an officer on central deputation, they are excluded from the DGP panel.
- Willingness: Explicit written consent from the officer is mandatory for empanelment.
4. Current Judicial Observations:
- Acting DGPs: The SC has flagged the appointment of “Acting” or “Ad-hoc” DGPs as a violation of Article 141.
- Tenure Security: Once appointed, a DGP has a fixed 2-year tenure, regardless of their retirement date, to ensure operational independence.
- Institutional Misconduct: SC warned that bypassing UPSC or delaying proposals will be viewed as contempt of court.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040