Clarifies position on eligibility for appointment by UPSC.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the post of Director General of Police (DGP) of a State was reserved for the best. It was meant neither for the political establishment’s favourite officers, who were on the verge of retirement, nor only for those with a minimum residual tenure of two years before superannuation, the court clarified.

Dispelling confusion regarding an order issued on July 3, 2018, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said senior police officers with a residual tenure of six months before normal retirement could be considered for the post of DGP.

The order came on a plea by former Uttar Pradesh DGP Prakash Singh, who contended that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was only considering police officers with a minimum two years’ residual tenure for appointment as DGP. This had led to many competent officers being overlooked.

“We, therefore, clarify the order of this court dated July 3, 2018... to mean that recommendation for appointment to the post of Director General of Police by the Union Public Service Commission and preparation of panel should be purely on the basis of merit from officers who have a minimum residual tenure of six months,” the Bench, which also comprised Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Sanjiv Khanna, ruled.

On July 3, 12 years after introducing drastic reforms to free the police from political influence, the Supreme Court had barred State governments from appointing DGPs without first consulting the UPSC.