Will Uttar Pradesh Get Its First-Ever Woman Police Chief?
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For the first time in the nearly 106-year history of the state police chief's post, a woman officer is among the contenders
With acting DGP Prashant Kumar set to retire on May 31, the race to lead Uttar Pradesh Police—the country's largest police force—has once again gained momentum. But this time, the transition carries historic significance. For the first time in the nearly 106-year history of the state police chief's post, a woman officer is among the contenders. As Uttar Pradesh braces for a critical leadership change, one question resonates across political, bureaucratic, and public circles alike: will the state get its first-ever female director general of police?
Kumar, a 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a trusted aide of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, took over as acting DGP on February 1, 2024. A native of Siwan, Bihar, Kumar became a recognisable name in 2017 when, as additional director general (ADG), Meerut Zone, he oversaw the Kanwar Yatra and arranged for a helicopter to shower flowers on devotees—an act that symbolised his alignment with the Yogi government's image politics. However, he has also faced consistent criticism from the opposition for his aggressive policing style.
Kumar turns 60 this month and will retire unless the government decides to recommend a service extension—a rare occurrence for someone in an acting DGP role. So far, the home department has not made any formal move towards this.
Historically, service extensions in UP police leadership have been rare. In the last 10-12 years, only two officers—Arvind Kumar Jain under the Akhilesh Yadav government and Sulkhan Singh under Yogi Adityanath—have received three-month extensions. As Sulkhan Singh said, the government must clearly state why an extension is warranted. Rules allow a three-month extension for DGPs and superintendents of police (SPs), while chief secretaries can receive up to six months.
Another strong contender is Rajiv Krishna, a 1991-batch officer currently heading the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board and Vigilance. Known for his disciplined, corruption-free image, Krishna earned praise for overseeing a transparent police recruitment drive. With four years left before retirement, he is one of the few eligible for a full-term tenure.
BK Maurya, from the 1990 batch and presently DG Home Guards, has held critical field positions in Faizabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, and Aligarh. Regarded as calm and politically neutral, Maurya is considered an organisationally steady hand.
Also in the fray is MK Bashal, a 1990 batch officer with deep field experience. Currently DG in Power Corporation's security wing, his appointment would underscore social inclusivity.
Appointment process
Traditionally, Uttar Pradesh appointed its DGP by sending a list of senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which would return a panel of three names. The final selection, influenced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the ministry of home affairs, was then made by the state government.
A new procedure, approved by the state cabinet six months ago but not yet implemented, proposes a six-member committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Other members include the chief secretary, a UPSC nominee, the UPPSC chairperson or nominee, the additional chief secretary (home), and a former DGP. The committee would recommend candidates with a minimum of six months' service left and a clean record, appointing them for a fixed two-year term, subject to performance.
Since Mukul Goel's removal in May 2022, UP has had no permanent DGP—a violation of Supreme Court guidelines that has drawn judicial censure.
Brief history of UP DGP post
The post of director general of police in Uttar Pradesh has evolved into one of the most politically sensitive positions in the state bureaucracy. Since independence, DGP tenures have often been cut short, with few officers serving the full two-year term mandated by the Supreme Court in its 2006 Prakash Singh judgement, aimed at reducing political interference in police appointments. Despite these reforms, UP has struggled with consistent implementation. Notable exceptions like Sulkhan Singh and OP Singh came close to completing their terms, but since 2022, the state has lacked a permanent DGP altogether.
As May 31 approaches, the decision on Prashant Kumar's extension—or the appointment of a new chief, possibly the state's first woman DGP—will mark a defining moment for both the future of UP Police and the credibility of its administrative processes.
tags :
police supreme court uttar pradesh Yogi Adityanath
Location :
Lucknow, India, India
First Published:
May 24, 2025, 16:03 IST
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