New Delhi, May 23, 2026 — In a significant administrative move to address persistent security challenges in Manipur, the Centre has approved the inter-cadre deputation of Mukesh Singh, the current Director General of Police (DGP) of Ladakh, to the Manipur cadre. The 1996-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre is expected to assume charge as the state’s new police chief shortly.
The decision follows the appointment of the incumbent Manipur DGP, Rajiv Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, as Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Rajiv Singh had served as Manipur’s police chief since June 1, 2023, during one of the most turbulent periods in the state’s recent history.
Official Approval and Process
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared the inter-cadre deputation of Mukesh Singh to Manipur for a period of three years on May 21, 2026. An official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions described the approval as a “special case in public interest.” The move involved relaxation of standard inter-cadre deputation norms and waiver of the mandatory cooling-off period following central deputation.
The proposal originated from the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 15, 2026. Mukesh Singh had assumed charge as DGP of Ladakh on or around January 15, 2026, succeeding SD Singh Jamwal, who was subsequently posted to Arunachal Pradesh.
Profile and Career of Mukesh Singh
Mukesh Singh, born on January 24, 1971, in Bokaro Steel City (then in Bihar, now Jharkhand), is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he earned a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering. He joined the Indian Police Service in 1996 and was originally allotted the Jammu and Kashmir cadre, which was later integrated into the AGMUT cadre following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He completed his police training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).
Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Singh has earned recognition as a counter-terrorism and internal security specialist, with extensive operational experience in militancy-affected regions. His key assignments include:
- Superintendent of Police (SP) / Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the terrorism-prone districts of Reasi, Pulwama, Poonch, and Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir during periods of heightened militancy.
- Inspector General (IG) of Police, Jammu Range, and later Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu Zone.
- IG (Crime), Jammu and Kashmir.
- Founding member of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), where he served in various capacities, including SP, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and IG, handling high-profile counter-terrorism investigations and national security cases.
- Central deputation with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), serving as IG and subsequently Additional Director General (ADG) ITBP, with responsibilities in high-altitude border management and security operations.
Security analysts have described Singh’s appointment as particularly relevant given his proven expertise in counter-insurgency operations, intelligence-driven policing, and management of sensitive internal security situations—skills honed in the demanding terrain of Jammu and Kashmir and through national-level investigative roles.
Context of the Reshuffle in Manipur
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the predominantly Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo communities in the hills since May 3, 2023. The conflict was triggered by a “Tribal Solidarity March” organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Government figures indicate that the violence has resulted in approximately 258–260 deaths and the displacement of over 58,000–60,000 people, many of whom continue to reside in relief camps. Sporadic incidents, including attacks on civilians, have persisted into 2026, underscoring the fragile law-and-order situation despite sustained security deployments.
Rajiv Singh’s tenure as Manipur DGP coincided with the peak of the ethnic clashes. His subsequent elevation to Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat—where he will oversee the administrative framework of the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the security of the Prime Minister and immediate family members—reflects recognition of his counter-insurgency experience gained in Tripura and with central armed police forces.
The swift approval of Mukesh Singh’s deputation underscores the Centre’s priority in restoring stability and strengthening police leadership in the northeastern state, particularly following the conclusion of President’s Rule in February 2026.
Significance and Outlook
Security experts view the appointment of Mukesh Singh as a strategic intervention aimed at leveraging his specialised experience in counter-terrorism and conflict-zone policing to address Manipur’s complex security dynamics. The three-year deputation provides continuity and allows for sustained operational focus.
Mukesh Singh is expected to formally assume the role of DGP Manipur in the coming days. His transition from Ladakh, a strategically sensitive Union Territory bordering China and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, to Manipur highlights the Centre’s emphasis on deploying experienced officers to high-priority security theatres.
The development marks another chapter in the ongoing efforts to stabilise Manipur while Ladakh prepares for the appointment of its next police chief. Official sources have emphasised that the move has been executed in the larger public interest to enhance law enforcement capabilities in the region.
Further updates on the formal assumption of charge and any accompanying administrative measures are anticipated from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government in the immediate future.
