Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Seven Senior Officers Vie to Become Bengal’s New Police Chief
Bengal’s current police chief, Siddh Nath Gupta, will leave his job on 31 October.
The state has sent seven officers’ names for consideration as his replacement.
These officers come from the 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 police batches.
Praveen Kumar is reportedly the leading candidate.
He has worked with the Union Home Ministry for many years.
Two other officers may have an advantage because they are senior.
Some officials think the government may choose based on seniority to avoid controversy.
Others say the central government could surprise everyone by choosing a different candidate.
Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta is scheduled to retire on 31 October.
The state government has proposed seven senior officers to the Union Home Ministry and UPSC.
Praveen Kumar is reportedly viewed as the frontrunner, while Natarajan Rameshbabu and Anuj Sharma have seniority advantages.
Kumar has worked closely with the Union Home Ministry for nearly 15 years and is considered non-controversial.
Officials say the final choice could follow seniority, favour Kumar, or potentially go to an outside candidate.
- Who
- Seven senior police officers, including Praveen Kumar, Natarajan Rameshbabu, Anuj Sharma, Sanjay Singh, Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim and Ajay Mukund Ranade, are being considered.
- What
- The government is selecting Bengal’s next Director General of Police.
- When
- Siddh Nath Gupta is scheduled to step down on 31 October.
- Where
- The appointment concerns the police force in Bengal, with the selection process involving the Union Home Ministry and the Union Public Service Commission.
- Why
- The selection process has begun because Gupta’s term is ending.
Case for Praveen Kumar
Case for Seniority or a Surprise Choice
Preferred candidate
Case for Praveen Kumar
Some sources say Praveen Kumar is the frontrunner and that his name has central-government and chief-ministerial support.
Case for Seniority or a Surprise Choice
Other officials believe the government may choose a more senior officer, while some expect a possible surprise choice from outside the listed contenders.
Experience and suitability
Case for Praveen Kumar
Kumar has worked closely with the Union Home Ministry for nearly a decade and a half and is viewed as non-controversial.
Case for Seniority or a Surprise Choice
Natarajan Rameshbabu and Anuj Sharma may benefit from greater seniority, which officials say could help the government avoid controversy.
Career move
Case for Praveen Kumar
Kumar’s central-government experience is presented as an advantage for the state’s top police post.
Case for Seniority or a Surprise Choice
It is uncertain whether Kumar would leave command of a force exceeding 300,000 personnel to become Bengal’s police chief.
- Current DGP
- Siddh Nath Gupta
- Scheduled departure
- 31 October
- Number of candidates proposed
- Seven
- Reported frontrunner
- Praveen Kumar
- Senior candidates
- Natarajan Rameshbabu and Anuj Sharma
- Selection bodies
- Union Home Ministry and Union Public Service Commission
- Potential selection approaches
- Choosing Kumar, following seniority, or selecting an outside candidate