Punjab govt appoints Gaurav Yadav as regular Director General of Police, Punjab four years after additional charge
PTC News Desk: In a major administrative development, the Punjab government has officially appointed Gaurav Yadav, IPS (RR: 1992), as the Director General of Police (Head of Police Force), Punjab.
Yadav on Friday was appointed regular Director General of Police, Punjab after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann gave principal nod for his appointment as permanent police chief after over four years of an additional-charge arrangement.
The decision was taken after considering a panel sent by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi, through a letter dated July 1, 2026.
The UPSC had shortlisted three IPS officers for the post:
Dr Sharad Satya Chauhan
Harpreet Singh Sidhu
Gaurav Yadav
The Punjab government had submitted the names of 14 IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the appointment of a permanent Director General of Police (DGP). After reviewing the names, the commission sent a panel of three officers to the state government.
High Court sought compliance report by October 13
The delay in appointing a permanent DGP has become a matter before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Thaman questioned the prolonged appointment of an officer as the police chief on additional charge.
Even after receiving the panel from the UPSC, the state government had not finalised the appointment. The High Court has now directed the government to submit a compliance report by October 13.
Following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s in-principle approval, the formal announcement is expected before the deadline. Once the appointment order is issued, Gaurav Yadav will take charge as Punjab’s regular DGP, ending the system of having an acting police chief that has continued for more than four years.
Gaurav Yadav held additional charge for over four years
Gaurav Yadav has been heading the Punjab Police since July 2022. Since then, he has served as the acting DGP, while the appointment of a permanent police chief remained pending.
During this period, he continued to perform the duties of the police chief on additional charge. With the Chief Minister’s approval, the process for his regular appointment is now expected to move forward.
- PTC NEWS
