The Bihar bureaucracy is busy discussing a non-official work, as to who will be the new DGP of the state. The discussion was sparked following DGP Vinay Kumar (IPS:1991:BH)’s voluntary retirement (VRS) and his appointment as the new state Chief Information Commissioner.
As Vinay Kumar proceeded on leave on September 15, his batchmate Preeta Verma (IPS:1991:BH), currently posted as DG of Home Guards and Fire Services, has been assigned the charge of the acting DGP.
As per sources, one of Preeta Verma, Bhrigu Srinivasan and GS Gangwar will take over the command of DGP as the UPSC has shortlisted these three names for the post from the list sent by the Bihar government to it. Being the senior most of the three, Preeta Verma’s name is being mentioned at the forefront.
The reason for simple: Preeta Verma is a 1991 batch IAS officer, while both Bhrigu Srinivasan and Jitendra Singh Gangwar are junior to her, belonging to the 1992 and 1993 batch respectively. Thus, on the basis of seniority, Preeta Verma is senior to both of them and will also retire later. In this sense, Preeta Verma is at the forefront of the DGP race.
Besides, Preeta Verma has been a decorated police officer and the only female face in the race.
Plus, she has become the first woman IPS officer to command the state police force in Bihar policing history after being appointed an acting DGP.
She has earlier served as DG Training and during her deputation to the Centre, she held the responsibility of CEO of KVIC. She was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023.
Jitendra Singh Gangwar, a 1993 batch IPS officer, is also in the race for the top police post of the state. He is currently handling the responsibility of DG Vigilance. He is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2027.
In normal circumstances, he will not have a long tenure left after becoming a DGP. However, the government has a choice under the rules related to appointment and extension.
Gangwar is originally from Bhatasa village in Kayamganj tehsil of Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh and is Masters in Civil Engineering.
A clean administrative image and experience of working with the government strengthen his candidature for the post. Having served as ADG, Headquarters, for a long time, Gangwar has held many important responsibilities in Bihar Police. He was also known as the official spokesperson of Bihar Police.
Since December 2024, he has been the DG of the Bureau of Vigilance Investigation. His role in action against corruption has been significant. He has been awarded the Police Medal in 2010 and the President’s Police Medal in 2019.
Also in the race is Bhrigu Srinivasan, a 1992 batch IPS officer, currently on central deputation serving as the DG of the National Security Guard (NSG). He was posted to the post of NSG chief on August 31, 2024.
Before becoming the NSG chief, Srinivasan held important responsibilities in Bihar, like being the Director of Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir. Thereafter, he went on central deputation and was given the command of the NSG.
Srinivasan’s only weak point is that he will be retiring in August 2027.
But what needs to be kept in mind is that the appointment of the next Bihar DGP will not be decided only by seniority. The state govt needs to look at many other aspects as well for consideration. The important aspects that play a significant role in selection of a DGP are as follows:
Seniority: The seniority list of eligible officers for the DGP post has an important base.
Service Period: The officer who will be made DGP is considered important to have at least 6 months of tenure left.
Administrative and Field Experience: Experience in law and order, police headquarters, intelligence apparatus, and operations can strengthen the claimant’s position.
Central Deputation: The return of officers holding important positions at the Centre depends on the synergy between the Centre and the State.
Government Trust: The DGP is the most important officer in the state’s policing system. Therefore, administrative coordination with the government is also important.
Social Equation: The role of caste and social equations has been important in the politics of Bihar. That is the reason why discussions about the selection of the new DGP is being linked to the Luv-Kush equation that forms the core social base of the ruling BJP.
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