CM Yogi Adityanath to Select UP Police DG; UPSC Choice Body Scraped, Two Year Tenure for DG
The UP government gains absolute control over who the DGP of the state would be. The selection of the DGP is going to no longer fall into the hands of the UPSC. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is now free to choose a DGP of his choice. A day after meeting with Chief Minister Yogi and PM Narendra Modi, the UP Cabinet approved "UP DGP Selection and Appointment Rules 2024" on Monday.
State to bypass UPSC in DGP appointment
With the new regulations that are introduced, the entire process of forwarding a list of five shortlisted candidates to UPSC and then ultimately selecting from three names that are returned by the commission is done away with. This reformation aims to grant more autonomy to the state to select a police chief that will serve in accordance with the policing needs and objectives of the state.
In a judgment related to police reforms in the year 2006, the Supreme Court had provided suggestions that all states come up with a comprehensive act related to the police which should be so designed to prevent external influences on their activities and safeguard the interests of the people and thereby upholding the rule of law. Among the several states, which were considered for not following the guidelines by the court, Uttar Pradesh came out with these directions in response to the judiciary.
The Supreme Court guideline for the appointment of DGPs:
The Supreme Court recommended that the states prepare an autonomous selection panel of the DGP. To ensure compliance, the newly built selection panel would include: the Chief Secretary, representative of UPSC, the Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, or his representative, the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and a retired DGP. The newly appointed DGP shall have a minimum period of two years.
Political implications of the move
Politc analysis holds the view that was a decision that reflects deviating distances between the Union and the state of UP because this decision was seen in not much public-political debates. Some surmise even opine that maybe Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Yogi Aditynath may not have gone quite to liking to the center' s intervention in the whole affair, as during the second tenure, he is seen not to have taken an appropriate permanent DGP in office; instead interim offices changed many times in two half years.
New Process and DGP Term
Under the newly approved rules, there will be a committee constituted by a retired High Court judge who would select the DGP. The candidates should have six months more of service for retirement while being selected specifically from people holding the rank of DGP in level 16 of the pay matrix. This committee-based selection ensures that no political or executive influence takes place and fulfills the distinctive policing needs of the state.
Under Supreme Court guidelines, DGP can even be removed due to criminal or corruption charges and even for failing to perform the duties. Actg. DGP Prashant Kumar, retiring on 31 May 2025, satisfies all three parameters to be appointed the full-time DGP by the state under the new policy.
Probabilities of Prashant Kumar as the First Appointed DGP Under New Rules
Prashant Kumar has been reportedly handed the job of the first DGP under the amended guidelines with a minimum of two years of tenure and an opportunity to take charge of the police force ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
