Mukesh Singh, Ladakh DGP, Assigned as New Police Chief of Manipur

New Delhi, May 23, 2026 — In a major administrative decision to tackle ongoing security concerns in Manipur, the Centre has sanctioned the inter-cadre deputation of Mukesh Singh, currently the Director General of Police (DGP) of Ladakh, to the Manipur cadre. The 1996-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre is anticipated to take over as the new police chief of the state shortly.

This decision follows the reassignment of the existing Manipur DGP, Rajiv Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Tripura cadre, to the position of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Rajiv Singh had been serving as Manipur’s police chief since June 1, 2023, navigating through one of the state’s most turbulent periods in recent history.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Mukesh Singh's inter-cadre deputation to Manipur for a duration of three years on May 21, 2026. An official directive from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions characterized the approval as a "special case in public interest." This decision involved a relaxation of standard inter-cadre deputation rules and the waiving of the mandatory cooling-off period following central deputation.

The proposal was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 15, 2026. Mukesh Singh had taken charge as DGP of Ladakh around January 15, 2026, succeeding SD Singh Jamwal, who was subsequently appointed to Arunachal Pradesh.

Mukesh Singh, born on January 24, 1971, in Bokaro Steel City (then Bihar, now Jharkhand), graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi with a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. He joined the Indian Police Service in 1996, initially assigned to the Jammu and Kashmir cadre, which later merged into the AGMUT cadre following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He completed his training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).

During his nearly 30-year career, Singh has gained a reputation as a specialist in counter-terrorism and internal security, with significant operational experience in regions affected by militancy. His notable 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, responsible for high-altitude border management and security operations.

Security analysts view Singh’s appointment as particularly pertinent due to his established expertise in counter-insurgency operations, intelligence-driven policing, and managing sensitive internal security situations—skills refined in the challenging terrain of Jammu and Kashmir and through national-level investigative roles.

Manipur has been dealing 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 sparked by a “Tribal Solidarity March” in the hill districts protesting the Meitei community’s request for Scheduled Tribe status.

Government statistics indicate that the violence has caused approximately 258 to 260 deaths and displaced over 58,000 to 60,000 people, many of whom remain in relief camps. Sporadic incidents, including attacks on civilians, have persisted into 2026, highlighting the fragile law-and-order situation despite ongoing security deployments.

Rajiv Singh's tenure as Manipur DGP coincided with the peak of the ethnic unrest. His subsequent promotion to Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat—overseeing the administrative structure of the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is tasked with the security of the Prime Minister and immediate family members—reflects recognition of his counter-insurgency expertise acquired in Tripura and with central armed police forces.

The rapid approval of Mukesh Singh’s deputation underscores the Centre’s focus on restoring stability and enhancing police leadership in the northeastern state, particularly following the end of President’s Rule in February 2026.

Security experts consider Mukesh Singh's appointment a strategic measure aimed at utilizing his specialized experience in counter-terrorism and policing in conflict zones to address Manipur’s complex security challenges. The three-year deputation allows for continuity and sustained operational focus.

Mukesh Singh is expected to officially 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 underscores the Centre’s emphasis on deploying experienced officers to high-priority security areas.

This development marks another chapter in the ongoing efforts to stabilize Manipur, while Ladakh prepares for the appointment of its next police chief. Official sources have emphasized that this move has been made in the larger public interest to enhance law enforcement capabilities in the region.

Further updates on the formal assumption of charge and any related administrative measures are awaited from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government in the near future.