Will KLN Rao Become Gujarat’s Regular DGP? Discussion Sparks After Supreme Court Tightens Grip in Telangana Case

Ahmedabad, Feb 9, 2026: Dr. KLN Rao may be appointed as the regular Director General of Police (DGP) in Gujarat as early as April 2026, following increased scrutiny by the Supreme Court over the appointment of acting DGPs instead of permanent ones.

The Supreme Court recently expressed displeasure over the common practice of keeping DGPs in an acting capacity, granting the UPSC authority to direct states to submit proposals for regular appointments in a timely manner. If a state fails to comply, the matter can be directly brought before the Court. The apex court’s strict stance in the Telangana case has sent ripples through Gujarat’s bureaucracy.

Currently, Gujarat has KLN Rao, a 1992-batch IPS officer, serving as the in-charge DGP following the retirement of Vikas Sahay. Rao, originally from Telangana, previously oversaw CID Crime, Railway, and Jail Administration.

Telangana Precedent:
In Telangana, the last regular DGP, Anurag Sharma, retired in 2017. Since then, the state had not forwarded any proposals for regular DGP appointments. When a recommendation was finally sent in April 2025, the UPSC cited a backlog dating to 2017 and did not act, leading to a court case. The commission noted that several other states—including UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand—had engaged in similar delays.

Gujarat’s Current Scenario:
Experts suggest that following the Supreme Court’s stern directive, the Gujarat government may soon take a clear stand on appointing a regular DGP. Dr. Shamsher Singh, the senior-most IPS officer, is awaiting appointment after being sent back from central deputation, but he is set to retire on March 31, 2026.

Expected Changes from April:
Until now, KLN Rao has retained all his prior responsibilities along with DGP duties. Following Singh’s retirement, discussions indicate that Rao could be formally appointed as regular DGP. His previous portfolios, including CID Crime, Railway, and Jail Administration, may then be reassigned to other DGP-rank officers, lightening his workload.

The coming weeks are expected to clarify whether Gujarat will comply with the Supreme Court’s emphasis on timely appointments, ending the practice of prolonged acting tenures for top police posts.