Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya: India’s First Woman State DGP and a Trailblazer in Policing
Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, born in Himachal Pradesh, was the country’s second female IPS Officer (1973–2007) and served as the Director General of Police (DGP) for Uttarakhand. She was also briefly active in politics, contesting the 2014 Indian general election from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, as an Aam Aadmi Party candidate. Notably, she was the first woman to become a state Director General of Police and retired from service on October 31, 2007. Regarding her education, she completed her early studies at Government Girls’ College, Amritsar. Later, she pursued postgraduate studies in English Literature at the University of Delhi, followed by a master’s degree from the University of New South Wales in Australia. She possessed 33 years of extensive and remarkable professional experience. She was the first woman to serve as a state Director General of Police (DGP), having held this position in Uttarakhand. She was the second woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1973 and became the first female IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. In 2004, she was selected to represent India at the Interpol meeting held in Cancún, Mexico—a significant achievement in her career. Throughout her career, she completed various specialized training programs and courses. These included training in Human Resource Management at NITIE, Mumbai; a program on Economic Crime Investigation Management in Singapore; and an Advanced Management Program at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. As the President of the All India Women Police Organization, she successfully organized the second Women Police Conference, an event that was also commended by the President of India. She was selected for the post of DGP from among many senior officers due to her integrity, impartiality, and sensitivity toward the issues faced by the general public. On behalf of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, she raised critical issues—such as the recruitment and training of women in the police force—at the annual conference of Directors General of Police. Beyond her professional life, she had several hobbies; she enjoyed writing poetry and participating in plays. She also played a guest role in the TV serial “Udaan.” This serial was inspired by her life, and its writer and director was her sister, Kavita Chaudhary. Awards
Harmeet Singh’s Tech-Driven Leadership Transforms Assam Policing, Crime Rate Drops to Historic Low
Harmeet Singh, a 1992-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, assumed the office of Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam in May 2025. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has developed remarkable expertise in counter-terrorism operations, internal security, cybersecurity, and de-radicalization. Under his leadership, the Assam Police has made law enforcement more effective and responsive by adopting modern technology and data-driven strategies. A significant decline in Assam’s crime rate has been recorded during Singh’s tenure. While the crime rate stood at 349.5 in 2020, it dropped to 121.5 in 2025 and further to 101.9 by January 2026. This achievement is attributed to the strengthening of the state’s security apparatus and crime control mechanisms, alongside the adoption of a modern approach to policing. An advocate of citizen-centric policing, Harmeet Singh has launched several innovative initiatives to foster better communication between the police and the public. The ‘Assam Police Social Media Center’ is particularly noteworthy, as it has given a new direction to citizen engagement and information dissemination through digital platforms. The ‘Shishu Mitra Programme,’ launched to promote child-sensitive and trust-based policing, has also garnered widespread acclaim. The Assam Police’s ‘New Year Party’ social media campaign stands as a successful example of his public-relations-oriented mindset; it gained immense popularity on social media and received a positive response across the country. This campaign played a pivotal role in reinforcing the image of the police as a humane and friendly force. Throughout his career, Harmeet Singh has held numerous key leadership positions, most notably that of the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. He has received several prestigious national and state-level honors for his outstanding service, gallantry, and leadership. His administrative approach is characterized by innovation, professional excellence, and an unwavering commitment to public service.
From Ziro Valley to DGP: Robin Hibu Creates History as Arunachal Pradesh’s First IPS Officer to Reach the Top Rank
Robin Hibu, an officer of the 1993 AGMUT cadre, made history as the first IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh. Currently serving as the Special Commissioner of Police (Human Resources) in the Delhi Police, he has recently been promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP). His journey—from the remote Ziro Valley to the highest echelons of the Indian Police Service—is truly inspiring. Throughout a career spanning over three decades, Robin Hibu has built a strong bridge between law enforcement and public service. He earned his promotion to the rank of DGP based on his outstanding service, leadership capabilities, and consistently excellent Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs). He has received numerous prestigious honors, including the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and the Ati-Utkrisht Seva Padak (Medal for Exemplary Service). He has held several key responsibilities within the Delhi Police. He served as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he led the security arrangements for the nation’s highest constitutional institution. Additionally, as the Managing Director of the Delhi Police Housing Corporation, he made significant contributions to the welfare of police personnel and the development of infrastructure. Robin Hibu’s most notable initiative is his social organization, “Helping Hands.” This organization provides emergency assistance, legal counsel, educational support, medical aid, and rations to citizens in need, including people from the North-East. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization set a remarkable example of humanitarian service by delivering relief to thousands of people. He has also consistently raised his voice against issues such as racial discrimination and racial profiling faced by people from the North-East. By establishing networks like the ‘Crime Victim Group,’ ‘Student Leader Group,’ and ‘SOS Group,’ he has provided immediate aid and institutional support to victims. His efforts have strengthened the sense of security and trust among the North-Eastern community living in metropolitan cities. His commitment to public service and social causes has earned him respect across the country. His work has been appreciated by numerous national figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and world-renowned boxer Mary Kom. Today, Robin Hibu is recognized not only as a senior police officer but also as a symbol of leadership, sensitivity, and social change.