UP Set For 5th Acting DGP Since 2022 As Government Delays Permanent Appointment

Uttar Pradesh appears to be headed for its fifth acting Director General of Police (DGP) appointment since 2022, with procedural delays continuing to stall the selection of a permanent police chief. Current acting DGP Prashant Kumar's tenure concludes May 31, yet the state government has not forwarded a panel of eligible IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission as required by Supreme Court guidelines.  

The state's failure to appoint a permanent DGP violates a 2006 Supreme Court directive mandating UPSC-vetted selections through a transparent process. Sources indicate the state has not even constituted the required selection committee, making timely appointment impossible.  

Therefore two potential scenarios emerge, extension of Prashant  Kumar's service beyond retirement date, or  appointment of another acting DGP, potentially DG Vigilance Rajiv Krishna.  Krishna, currently 15th in seniority, is considered close to the Chief Minister's office. Other contenders include DG Homeguards BK Maurya and Tilottama Verma.  

The prolonged reliance on acting DGPs (four since May 2022) raises concerns about police administration stability. Experts note such temporary appointments undermine long-term policing strategies and officer morale. The UP Police currently face 12% vacancy in IPS posts and 18% in constabulary positions.  

The state last had a permanent DGP in 2022 when Mukul Goel was removed. Since then, DS Chauhan, RK Vishwakarma, Vijay Kumar and Prashant Kumar have served in acting capacity. The UP government has not clarified reasons for the delay, though sources suggest political considerations may be overriding the mandated selection process.