Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is exploring the possibility of appointing a new police chief from outside the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) recommended panel. Though the UPSC has forwarded a shortlist of three senior DGPs Nitin Agarwal, Rawada Chandrashekhar, and Yogesh Gupta the government appears inclined to assign the top post to an officer not included in that list, prompting it to seek legal opinion on the matter.
With the current State Police Chief, Sheikh Darvez Sahib, set to retire on June 30, the administration has only a narrow two-day window to finalize the successor. An urgent online cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday is expected to take the final call.
Government sources indicate that precedent from seven other states, where DGPs are serving on temporary assignments despite not being selected from the UPSC shortlist, is also being studied to assess the feasibility of such a move in Kerala.
The decision could potentially stir administrative debate, as it challenges the established UPSC-based selection process, which is meant to ensure transparency and meritocracy in high-level police appointments.