Major Police Reshuffle in West Bengal: Peeyush Pandey Appointed Acting DGP | 02 Feb 2026

Why in News?

In a significant administrative overhaul just months before the West Bengal Assembly Elections, the state government has appointed senior IPS officer Peeyush Pandey as the acting Director General of Police (DGP) to succeed Rajeev Kumar.

Key Points: 

• DGP Appointment Rules: As per the Prakash Singh Case (2006) judgment: 
  • Selection: States must send a list of eligible senior officers to the UPSC. 
  • Shortlisting: UPSC prepares a panel of three officers based on merit and seniority. 
  • Tenure: The DGP must have a minimum tenure of two years, regardless of the date of superannuation. 
• Acting DGPs: The Supreme Court has repeatedly discouraged the practice of appointing "Acting DGPs," emphasizing that permanent appointments should be finalized before the incumbent retires. 
• Election Readiness: The reshuffle of 52 senior officers is seen as a strategic move to ensure administrative continuity and maintain law and order ahead of the high-stakes Assembly polls. 
• The "Acting" DGP Trend: The appointment continues a trend of interim arrangements. West Bengal has not had a permanent DGP since December 2023 due to ongoing legal disputes between the state and the UPSC regarding the selection panel. 
• Legal Hurdles: The matter regarding a permanent appointment remains sub judice in the Delhi High Court.