Bhagwant Mann Government Appoints IPS Gaurav Yadav as New Full-Time DGP for 2-Year Term
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In a major administrative overhaul ahead of upcoming electoral battles, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has officially appointed senior IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the new full-time Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab. According to official government orders released on Friday, October 9, 2026, Yadav will helm the state police force for a minimum guaranteed tenure of two years. The high-profile appointment resolves months of interim leadership arrangements and comes in direct compliance with a strict October 13 deadline set by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for finalizing the state's top police chief.
Selection Process and UPSC Panel: Beating the High Court Deadline
The appointment followed rigorous procedural norms mandated for selecting state police chiefs:
Three-Name Panel Submitted: The Punjab government had previously forwarded a shortlist of three senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which included Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, Harpreet Singh Sindhu, and Gaurav Yadav.
Choosing a 1992-Batch Veteran: Out of the panel, Gaurav Yadav, an accomplished 1992-batch Indian Police Service officer, was chosen to lead the force.
Transition from Acting DGP: Yadav previously served as Punjab's acting DGP starting in 2022. Under Supreme Court guidelines, acting DGPs are restricted to a maximum six-month term, making this formal two-year appointment a crucial legal and administrative regularization.
Profile of DGP Gaurav Yadav: Career Background and Key Associations
Gaurav Yadav brings extensive administrative experience and deep institutional familiarity to his new role:
Previous Roles: Beyond his extensive field and intelligence postings, Yadav has previously served as Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Retirement Timeline: With his appointment locked in for a minimum of two years, Yadav is scheduled to officially retire from active service on April 30, 2029. High Court Compliance: The announcement comes swiftly after the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive demanding the finalization of a permanent DGP nominee by October 13, putting an end to temporary administrative loops.
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