The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) shortlisted three senior IPS officers for appointment as the regular Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab. Among them is incumbent officiating DGP Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB), who is widely expected to be the Punjab government’s choice for the top post.
The UPSC Empanelment Committee shortlisted three 1992-batch IPS officers—Sharad Satya Chauhan, Harpreet Singh Sidhu and Gaurav Yadav. The Punjab government will now select one officer from the panel for appointment as the regular DGP.
According to sources, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is likely to appoint Gaurav Yadav as the state’s regular police chief.
In terms of seniority, Sharad Satya Chauhan is the senior-most officer in the panel, followed by Harpreet Singh Sidhu and Gaurav Yadav. While Chauhan is due to retire on March 31, 2028, Sidhu will superannuate on May 31, 2027. Gaurav Yadav has the longest remaining service among the three and is scheduled to retire on April 30, 2029.
The panel was prepared by the UPSC after considering a list of 14 eligible IPS officers submitted by the Punjab government.
If appointed, Gaurav Yadav’s selection would bring an end to nearly four years of the officiating DGP arrangement in Punjab. He has been heading the Punjab Police since June 2022, when the AAP government appointed him as officiating DGP after then Director General of Police V.K. Bhawra proceeded on leave.
The final appointment will be made by the Punjab government from among the three officers shortlisted by the UPSC.
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