In a significant administrative move, former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar has been appointed as the new chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC). The appointment was officially made by Governor Anandiben Patel on Wednesday, marking a pivotal shift in the leadership of the key recruitment body.
A First for the Commission: A Police Officer at the Helm
Prashant Kumar's appointment is historic as he becomes the first police officer to lead the UP Education Service Selection Commission. The post, based in Prayagraj, carries a fixed tenure of three years. This crucial position had been lying vacant following the resignation of the previous chairman, Professor Kirti Pandey. The vacancy had led to a near-paralysis of the commission's core functions, impacting thousands of job aspirants across the state.
The selection process saw an extended timeline. Initially, applications were invited until October 21. However, the process was later amended, and fresh applications were sought, indicating a thorough search for the right candidate to fill this vital role.
Ending Paralysis in State Education Recruitment
The absence of a permanent chairman had severely hampered the UPESSC's operations. Several critical recruitment processes were put on hold, causing prolonged uncertainty for candidates. Key activities that were stalled include:
- Interviews for Assistant Professor posts.
- Examinations for Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) positions.
- Examinations for Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) positions.
With Kumar's appointment, the state government expects a swift resumption of all these stalled selection processes, bringing much-needed relief to candidates awaiting results and new opportunities.
A Profile of Discipline and Academic Excellence
Prashant Kumar is not just a seasoned police officer but also an individual with a strong academic foundation. In September 2024, Lucknow University honoured him with an honorary Doctor of Literature (DLitt) degree for his distinguished service in policing, public safety, and security management. He is the first IPS officer from the UP cadre to receive this honour from the university.
A 1990-batch Indian Police Service officer, Kumar boasts an impressive educational background combined with over three decades of field experience. His qualifications include:
- Gold medallist in MSc (Applied Geology) from Delhi University.
- MBA in Disaster Management.
- MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies.
During his illustrious career, he held several key positions such as Director General (Law and Order), head of the Economic Offences Wing, and served on central deputation with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Kumar is widely recognized for enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against organized crime. He played a pivotal role in leading the anti-mafia task force and implementing policing systems that reshaped Uttar Pradesh's law and order framework. As the state's DGP, he supervised major security challenges including the peaceful conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the security for Maha Kumbh 2025 which was attended by over 66 crore pilgrims, and major events related to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
His innovative digital policing initiative, Trinetra 2.0, earned him the Ficci Smart Policing Award. His mantle is adorned with several honours, including the President's Police Medals, a Gallantry Medal, the Maha Kumbh Mela medal, and numerous national and international awards for innovation and excellence in public service.
The appointment of an officer with such a formidable track record in administration and discipline is seen as a strategic move to bring efficiency and robustness to the education recruitment process in Uttar Pradesh. All eyes will now be on how his leadership restarts the stalled machinery and brings transparency and speed to the selection of educators for the state's future.
