Supreme Court Allows Manipur Government To Appoint DGP Out Of State Cadre

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Manipur government to appoint the Director General of Police from outside the state cadre.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi allowed an application moved by the Manipur Government. Court noted that term of current DGP Rajiv Singh, IPS officer of Tripura cadre, is coming to an end on May 31.

An application was moved by the State of Manipur briefly narrating the unprecedented ethnic and civil unrest that has taken place in the State. Notably, Rajiv Singh, IPS of Tripura Cadre was appointed as Director General of Police in Manipur on June 2, 2023. His term is coming to an end on May 31, 2026. In the peculiar facts and circumstances prevailing in the State, a prayer was made to appoint the Director General of Police from outside Manipur cadre.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench yesterday that from amongst the eligible candidates, "we are not able to find the person of that competence". Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that Singh is retiring on May 31 and there is an urgent direction required for appointment of DGP.

"We find merit in the prayer. The application is allowed. The State of Manipur is permitted to appoint the Deputy Inspector General of Police from outside Manipur Cadre, " the bench ordered.

Case Title: PRAKASH SINGH & ORS. vs. UNION OF INDIA [I.A. NO. 160215/2026]

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Pancholi

Hearing Date: May 27, 2026