Punjab names Gaurav Yadav regular DGP after two years in officiating role

Punjab has appointed Gaurav Yadav as its regular director general of police after more than two years in an officiating role. The move follows court scrutiny and sharpens the police focus on security, gangsters and drugs.Chandigarh,Oct 9, 2026 18:16 ISTThe Punjab government on Friday appointed 1992-batch IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the regular Director General of Police, ending a long period of uncertainty over the post. Yadav had been serving as the officiating DGP since July 2022, and his tenure as the regular DGP will be for a minimum of two years from the date he assumes charge, according to an official order.The appointment came days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, while hearing a PIL, directed the state government to take an appropriate decision on appointing a regular DGP. The court observed that an ad hoc arrangement should not continue for an indefinite period and fixed the next hearing in the matter for October 13. The petitioner had said the post had continued to be held through an arrangement of additional charge since July 2022.According to the order issued by the state's Home Department, the Union Public Service Commission, through its letter dated July 1, empanelled three IPS officers from the panel sent by the state government as suitable for appointment to the post of DGP. Yadav's name was among the three officers empanelled by the UPSC from a panel of 14 senior IPS officers sent by the state government. Special DGP Sharad Satya Chauhan and senior IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu were the other two officers on the UPSC panel. The order said Yadav's appointment as head of the state police force was made after consideration of the panel received from the UPSC. Under the guidelines, after a state sends a list of officers for appointing a regular DGP, the UPSC empanelment committee sends back a panel of three officers, from which one is selected.After assuming charge, Yadav called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and briefed him on the internal security situation and law and order in the state. Punjab Police said on X that Yadav had assumed charge as Director General of Police, Head of Police Force. In a post on X, Yadav said, "Today, called on the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Punjab, S. Bhagwant Mann, and briefed him about the internal security scenario and law & order in the state. Chief Secretary, Punjab, was also present in the meeting." He added, "Punjab Police is committed to maintaining peace, harmony and public safety, and to help build a safe, secure and drug-free Punjab." Shortly after his appointment, Yadav said the police was committed to maintaining peace and harmony and that gangsters and anti-social elements had no place in Punjab. In a video message, he said, "I reiterate the commitment of Punjab Police to maintain peace and harmony in Punjab. Anti-national elements will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs." He further said, "Wherever they hide, whether anywhere in India or abroad, Punjab Police will arrest them and bring them to justice. Operations against gangsters and their networks will be intensified." Referring to the campaign against drugs, Yadav said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had recently chaired a high-level review meeting and directed further intensification of the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign. He said all departments of the Punjab government, Punjab Police and the people would take the campaign to its logical conclusion, adding that the force remained committed to eliminating organised crime, dismantling drug networks and making Punjab safe, peaceful and drug-free.With Yadav's appointment, the Punjab government has filled the post of regular DGP after more than two years of an officiating arrangement, while the state's police leadership has reiterated its focus on law and order, action against gangsters and the anti-drugs campaign. - Ends