UPSC rejects Bengal's DGP panel proposal due to 18-months delay, asks to approach SC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially returned the West Bengal government's proposal for preparing a panel to appoint a permanent Director General of Police (DGP). In a letter issued on December 31 by UPSC Director Nanda Kishore Kumar, the commission highlighted a staggering delay of over 18 months in submitting the names. While former DGP Manoj Malviya retired in December 2023, the state only sent its proposal in July 2025, violating the Supreme Court's mandate of submitting names three months prior to a vacancy.

The rejection is backed by a stern opinion from the Attorney General of India (AGI). The AGI noted that the state's delay is "very serious" and that the UPSC has no legal provision to condone such a long lapse. The opinion further emphasized that this administrative delay potentially deprives several eligible and legitimate senior IPS officers of their rightful opportunity to be considered for the top post, as many might have neared retirement during this 18-month gap.

The current acting DGP, Rajeev Kumar, is set to complete his term on January 31, 2026. With the UPSC refusing to process the delayed list, the state government finds itself in a tight spot. The commission has explicitly advised the Nabanna administration to approach the Supreme Court for specific directions, as the current proposal stands technically and legally invalid under the 'Prakash Singh' judgment guidelines.