Puneet Rastogi Emerges as Possible Contender for Next Tripura DGP, CM Manik Saha Meeting Fuels Speculation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 26, 2026

The name of senior Tripura-cadre IPS officer Puneet Rastogi has emerged in discussions over the appointment of the next regular Director General of Police (DGP) of Tripura, with high-level sources indicating that his name could figure in the process following his recent meeting with Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha.

However, sources familiar with the officer’s visit clarified that Rastogi had come to Tripura primarily in connection with official BSF-related work. There is, as of now, no official announcement or confirmation that his meeting with the Chief Minister was specifically related to the DGP appointment.

Rastogi, a 1995-batch Tripura-cadre IPS officer, is currently serving as Special DG with the Border Security Force (BSF) on central deputation. He was appointed Special Director General, BSF, earlier this month following approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The appointment is at Level-16 and is to continue until his superannuation on June 30, 2030, or until further orders.

The senior officer is a direct-recruit IPS officer who joined the service in 1995 through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Before moving to central deputation, he held important responsibilities in Tripura Police, including the post of Additional Director General of Police (Crime), Tripura. The Tripura Government had placed his services at the disposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2022 for appointment in the BSF.

The possibility of Rastogi returning to the state has attracted attention because of the present seniority structure of Tripura-cadre IPS officers and the vacancy of a regular DGP following the death of Anurag Dhankar, IPS (1994 batch), in July.

Following Dhankar's death, the Tripura Government entrusted GS Rao, IPS (1999 batch), with the additional charge of DGP. The government order described Rao as the next senior-most IPS officer serving in the state at that time.

The present situation is unusual because several officers senior to Rao in the Tripura cadre are serving outside the state on central deputation.

According to the seniority/posting information available to Tripurainfo, the senior officers include:

1.Rajiv Singh, IPS

TR:1993,

Secretary (Security) in Cabinet Secretariat

2. Puneet Rastogi, IPS

TR:1995

Special Director General, BSF

3. M. Raja Murugan, IPS

TR:1996

Central deputation

4. Saurabh Tripathi, IPS

TR:1997

Central deputation

5. Arvinder Singh, IPS

TR:1998

Central deputation

6. RS Kamble, IPS

TR:1998

Central deputation

7. GS Rao, IPS

TR:1999

DGP (I/C), Tripura; ADGP (AP).

Against this backdrop, Rastogi's seniority, previous experience in Tripura Police and current elevation to Special DG rank in the BSF have become significant factors in discussions within administrative and police circles.

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