Three IPS Officers from Erstwhile J&K Cadre Among 38 Empanelled as ADGPs by Centre

||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh June 15,2025||

In a significant development that underscores the evolving dynamics of the Indian Police Service (IPS) hierarchy, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the empanelment of 38 senior IPS officers for appointment to the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) at the central level. Among these, three officers belong to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre, highlighting their growing prominence within national security and law enforcement architecture.

Key Officers from the Erstwhile J&K Cadre:

The officers selected from the erstwhile J&K cadre include:

1. Mukesh Singh – IPS (1996 Batch)

Currently serving in a senior capacity within the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Mukesh Singh is widely recognized for his role in strengthening counter-terror operations and public safety mechanisms in the Jammu region. His operational leadership and administrative acumen have played a pivotal role in maintaining stability in volatile districts.

2. Viplav Kumar Choudhary – IPS (1997 Batch)

Known for his strategic policing methods and efficient law-and-order administration, Choudhary has held several key posts in J&K and is credited with initiating reform-oriented policing in several districts. His elevation signifies recognition of his systematic and people-centric policing style.

3. Vijay Kumar – IPS (1997 Batch)

A well-known name in the Valley, Vijay Kumar has held the critical post of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir. He earned a reputation for spearheading coordinated counter-insurgency operations and strengthening human intelligence networks. His tenure in Kashmir has been marked by significant breakthroughs in anti-terror operations and public outreach programs.

This empanelment is not merely a routine administrative exercise but a reflection of the Centre’s trust in experienced officers to take on higher responsibilities at the national level. ADGP is a rank just below Director General of Police (DGP) and is typically entrusted with important portfolios in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), or key policy formulation and operational roles.

Significance for J&K:

• Symbolic Recognition: The empanelment of officers from the erstwhile J&K cadre post the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in August 2019 demonstrates that officers from the region continue to maintain influence and relevance at the central level.

• Operational Insight: Officers from J&K bring with them years of experience in counter-insurgency, public order management, and crisis response, making them ideal for strategic roles in national security.

• Policy Feedback Loop: These officers, if posted at the Centre, can act as valuable conduits for feedback and coordination between the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Government.

The empanelment of IPS officers at the ADGP level is conducted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) based on seniority, performance records, vigilance clearances, and recommendation of the UPSC Empanelment Committee. Only empanelled officers are eligible to hold ADGP-level posts in central ministries and departments.

The inclusion of three senior IPS officers from the erstwhile J&K cadre in the latest empanelment list is both a testament to their service and a strategic move by the central government to tap into seasoned officers with experience in complex security environments. Their future roles will likely have implications beyond administrative reshuffling — potentially impacting national internal security policies, intelligence coordination, and law enforcement modernization efforts.