SC takes serious note of delay by several states in sending proposal for DGP appointment

Supreme Court reprimands states for delays in DGP appointments, granting UPSC four weeks to recommend candidates for Telangana.

Taking serious note of the inordinate delay by several states in sending proposals for appointment of Director General of Police, the Supreme Court on Thursday (February 5, 2026) authorised the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to bring such instances to its notice.

The apex court granted four weeks to the UPSC to convene a meeting and make recommendation for appointment of Director General of Police (DGP) for Telangana, where the last regular DPG retired in 2017.

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi fully endorsed the concern expressed by the UPSC regarding the inordinate delay on the part of several states in sending proposal for appointment of DGPs in terms of the top court's directions in the Prakash Singh case.

In the Prakash Singh case which relates to police reforms, the apex court had laid down guidelines which mandates selection of DGPs from among three senior-most IPS officers empanelled by the UPSC and sets a fixed two-year tenure for them.

The UPSC told the Bench that delay on the part of State deprives meritorious and senior officers from being considered for appointment as DGP.

The Commission said several states keep on delaying sending proposal for appointment of DGP in total disregard of the apex court's directions and an ad-hoc arrangement by appointing acting DGP was being preferred instead of regular appointment.