UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC flags States’ preference for ‘ad-hoc’ DGP appointments

Q1. In the framework laid down by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case, which one of the following bodies is mandated to empanel the three senior-most IPS officers eligible for appointment as Director-General of Police of a State?

  • A. Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel
  • B. Union Public Service Commission
  • C. Central Selection Board of the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Cabinet Committee on Appointments

Q2. With reference to the directions issued by the Supreme Court in Prakash Singh & Ors. v. Union of India (2006) on the appointment of the Director-General of Police, consider the following statements: 1. The DGP shall be selected from among the three senior-most officers empanelled by the UPSC for promotion to that rank. 2. The officer so selected shall have a minimum tenure of two years, irrespective of the date of superannuation. 3. The State shall send its proposal to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent. 4. The appointment of the DGP shall be subject to ratification by a resolution of the State Legislative Assembly. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The DGP shall be selected from among the three senior-most officers empanelled by the UPSC for promotion to that rank.
  2. The officer so selected shall have a minimum tenure of two years, irrespective of the date of superannuation.
  3. The State shall send its proposal to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent.
  4. The appointment of the DGP shall be subject to ratification by a resolution of the State Legislative Assembly.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q3. As per the Supreme Court's directions in the Prakash Singh case, from how many senior-most officers empanelled by the UPSC must a State Government select its Director-General of Police?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q4. In the context of the Supreme Court's February 2026 observations, the expression 'Acting DGP' (or 'ad-hoc DGP') most accurately refers to:

  • A. A police officer placed in temporary charge of the DGP's office by the State Government without going through the UPSC empanelment process mandated in Prakash Singh
  • B. A DGP appointed on the recommendation of the UPSC but pending notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. A DGP from a neighbouring State drafted on deputation under the All-India Services Rules during a vacancy
  • D. A retired DGP re-employed on contract under Article 312 of the Constitution

Q5. With reference to the structural police-reform directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case (2006), consider the following: 1. Constitution of a State Security Commission to insulate the police from extraneous influence. 2. Separation of the investigation wing from the law-and-order wing in the police. 3. Setting up of Police Complaints Authorities at the State and district levels. 4. Direct election of the Director-General of Police by the State Legislative Assembly. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as directions issued in the said judgment?

  1. Constitution of a State Security Commission to insulate the police from extraneous influence.
  2. Separation of the investigation wing from the law-and-order wing in the police.
  3. Setting up of Police Complaints Authorities at the State and district levels.
  4. Direct election of the Director-General of Police by the State Legislative Assembly.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4