The UPSC said that “it is observed that many states are submitting proposals for convening empaneled committee meetings in violation of Supreme Court directions”. File | Photo credit: Getty Images
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has revised the rules for the recruitment of State Director General of Police and Superintendent of Police.
State governments will now have to seek the Supreme Court’s approval for any delay in submitting the list of DGP-rank officers to the UPSC for empanelment.
While disposing of a preliminary application filed by the Union Home Ministry, the Supreme Court ruled that states should send their proposals in anticipation of UPSC vacancies on time – at least three months before the date of retirement of the incumbent DGP.
He also ordered that “none of the states shall ever entertain the idea of appointing any person to the post of Director General of Police on a negotiated basis as there is no concept of an Acting Director General of Police as per the decision in the Prakash Singh case”.
As many states are delaying the process of sending proposals for selecting the names of three DGPs for the top post due to various reasons and some are appointing acting DGPs, UPSC has sought a legal opinion on the matter.
The UPSC said that “it is observed that many states are submitting proposals for convening empaneled committee meetings in violation of Supreme Court directions”.
Too much delay
The Attorney General of India (AGI) opined that the delay by the state government in forwarding names for empanelment was “excessive”.
“On perusal of the applicable rules and precedents, I have not found any provision empowering the UPSC to move such inordinate delay and then proceed as if there was no irregularity and ultimately recommend the DGP panel,” the AGI said.
The state government should have first approached the Supreme Court in case of any difficulties. Therefore, the more appropriate course of action would be to require the state to seek permission or clarification from the Supreme Court, AGI noted.
Amending its earlier orders, the UPSC said states will seek permission or explanation from the Supreme Court in case of delayed submissions, barring death, resignation or early dismissal of the DGP, in accordance with the apex court judgement.
Published – 15 March 2026 21:45 IST
