PolitySource: The Hindu
Supreme Court Addresses Appointment of Acting Directors General of Police
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Key Points
The Supreme Court has recently highlighted the ongoing issue of states appointing acting Directors General of Police (DGPs), which violates the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment. This judgment mandates that DGPs should be selected from the top three senior officers by the UPSC and have a fixed tenure of two years, free from political influence.
Detailed Coverage
- Supreme Court addresses appointment of acting DGPs.
- Violation of 2006 Prakash Singh judgment noted.
- Judgment mandates DGPs to be free from political influence.
- DGPs must be selected from top three senior officers by UPSC.
- Minimum fixed tenure of two years for DGPs.
- States required to propose DGP appointments three months before retirement.
- Supreme Court orders issued in 2018 and 2019 for compliance.
- Police is a state subject under the Constitution.
- Section 3 of the Police Act, 1861 governs police superintendence.
- Authority shared between District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.
- State police headed by officers of DGP rank.
- Supreme Court aims to enforce compliance with past judgments.
- Issue of illegal 'acting' DGPs is a significant concern.
- Judicial intervention seeks to uphold the integrity of police appointments.
- Importance of civil services in a democracy emphasized.
- Ensuring rule of law through proper police appointments.
Polity