The Kerala government has begun the process of selecting a new State Police Chief to replace Shaik Darvesh Saheb, whose term ends on June 30. The initial step involves contacting six senior IPS officers who have completed 30 years of service, requesting them to express their interest and submit their resumes for evaluation.
These officers will be considered for inclusion in a list of potential candidates, which will then be forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for further scrutiny.
The six officers approached are:
- Nitin Agrawal (DGP, 1990 batch) – The most senior among the candidates, Nitin previously served as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) before returning to Kerala as the Road Safety Commissioner. He is set to retire in June 2026.
- Ravada A. Chandrasekhar (DGP, 1991 batch) – Currently serving as a Special Director at the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ravada is scheduled to retire in June 2026.
- Yogesh Gupta (DGP, 1993 batch) – The current Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Yogesh’s tenure extends until 2030.
- Manoj Abraham (ADGP, 1994 batch) – Serving as the ADGP of Law and Order, Manoj will retire in 2031.
- S. Suresh (ADGP, 1995 batch) – Currently an Additional Director with the Special Protection Group (SPG), Suresh’s tenure will continue until 2031. He is also considered a potential candidate for leadership roles in the IB or SPG.
- M.R. Ajith Kumar (ADGP, 1995 batch) – Serving as the ADGP of the Armed Police Battalion, Ajith Kumar will retire in December 2028.
Ravada and Suresh, both currently holding high-profile positions in organizations like the IB and SPG, may not be inclined to pursue the role of State Police Chief, as they have significant responsibilities and potential future leadership opportunities within their respective agencies.
By April, the Kerala government will submit the list of these officers to the UPSC, which will shortlist three candidates. The final selection will be made by the state government from this shortlist.
