Chandigarh (28.07.2026): This is very intriguing as suspense still prevails over the appointment of a regular Punjab Police chief as the state government has not yet announced the new incumbent’s name despite the fact that Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) approved the panel of three eligible officers around three weeks ago.

The UPSC-approved panel has names of three 1992-batch IPS officers — the longest serving acting DGP Gaurav Yadav, chief director, Vigilance Bureau, Sharad Satya Chauhan, and Special DGP Harpreet Singh Sidhu.

Generally, the state governments move swiftly to appoint the top cop once they receive the UPSC recommendation. According to the July 2018 Supreme Court ruling, chronicling the steps for appointment of regular director generals of police (DGPs), states need to immediately take decision after receiving the panel of names from the commission.

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