Immediately after the repatriation of CISF DG Om Prakash Singh (IPS:1983: UP), power corridors have started speculating the probable names for his successor. Even though the current administration is generally seen as not mesmerized with the principle of seniority in top-level appointments, it has most often followed that principle in top-level appointments in CPOs. It is reflected in the appointment of Lakhtakia as NSG Chief days before the CISF top job was to fall vacant. Lakhtakia was the senior most in his batch awaiting his turn for a DG level posting. Next on the seniority list is S Javeed Ahmed (IPS:1984: UP) with the longest tenure among the prospective candidates. Javeed will retire in March 2020. Deepak Mishra (IPS:1984: UT) is next on the list with almost nine months in hand to retire. He is followed by Rajesh Ranjan (IPS:1984: BH) who has more than two and a half years long service on hand. However, Rajni Kant Mishra is seen as a dark horse. Though he is already posted as DG SSB, his lateral appointment as DG CISF can't be ruled out.