Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU

Context

The Union Government has notified a "single-window system" for appointing Directors-General of Police (DGPs).

Appointment of DGPs

The Director General of Police (DGPs) are the highest-ranking police officers in states and union territories.

The appointment process follows a structured process governed by the Supreme Court's directives in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006) case and guidelines issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), to ensure transparency, meritocracy, and minimizing political interference.

DGP Appointment process

Supreme Court Directives in Prakash Singh Case (2006)

DGPs must be appointed through a merit-based and transparent process.
They must have a minimum tenure of at least two years, to prevent arbitrary transfers influenced by political pressures.
State governments are required to consult the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) before appointing a DGP.
The Court rejected the practice of appointing "Acting DGPs" to ensure stable and permanent leadership.
Establish a State Security Commission to curb state government influence on the police.
Create a Police Establishment Board (PEB) to decide on transfers, postings, and promotions.

The Appointment Process

The UPSC guidelines (2009, amended in 2023) and a recently introduced "Single Window System" by the Union Government, involves the following steps:

Sending List of Eligible Officers to UPSC => State governments must send a list of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC for consideration.
Eligibility Criteria => Officers must have a minimum of 25 years of service.
- Should hold the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) or equivalent.
UPSC's Role => Selection committee, chaired by the UPSC Chairman, evaluates the candidates.
- The UPSC prepares a panel of three officers deemed most suitable for the DGP position.
- Shortlisted names are sent back to the respective state government.
The state government appoint one of the officers as the DGP.

For Mains: Police Reforms l New provisions for police officers

Source: THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Despite judicial interventions, political interference in police administration remains a persistent issue. Critically examine the reasons behind this and propose solutions. 150 words

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The DGP is the highest-ranking police officer in a state/UT, responsible for overall control, supervision, and direction of the police force and maintaining law and order.

The UPSC prepares a panel of three eligible officers from the list sent by the state government, from which the state must choose its DGP.

As per the 2023 amended UPSC guidelines, officers must have at least 25 years of service.