In a significant career milestone, Nagpur-born Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Nilambari Jagdale has been elevated to the prestigious rank of Inspector General (IG) of Police in Punjab. This promotion adds another distinguished achievement to her home city's legacy of producing top civil servants.
A Strategic Promotion on New Year's Day
On January 1, the Punjab Director General of Police announced the promotion of three senior officers, with Jagdale being one of them. Her new appointment designates her as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Ludhiana Range. Furthermore, she has been entrusted with the additional charge of the strategically sensitive Faridkot Range. This belt is of critical importance as it shares the international border with Pakistan, requiring an officer of proven capability and trust.
Recognition of a Stellar and Varied Career
Jagdale's elevation is widely viewed as a recognition of her consistent and exemplary performance across a wide spectrum of policing roles within Punjab. Her career trajectory showcases remarkable adaptability, having served in both bustling urban commissionerates and challenging border districts.
An alumna of Nagpur's Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Jagdale holds an engineering degree. This technical background has notably complemented her structured and technology-driven approach to modern policing challenges, particularly in areas like cyber crime.
Key Postings in a Distinguished Career
Over her years of service since her 2008 batch, Nilambari Jagdale has built an impressive portfolio of postings. Her career includes:
- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Ropar
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Ludhiana & Jalandhar
- Superintendent of Police (Detective) in Khanna
- Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) in Ludhiana
- SSP of Fazilka district
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at Ludhiana Commissionerate
- SSP of UT Chandigarh
- Assistant Inspector General (AIG) & DIG for Cyber Crime
- Deputy Director at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur
- SSP of Pathankot and Ropar districts
- DIG of Ropar Range
This diverse experience, ranging from field postings at the district level to specialized assignments in crime detection, training, and cyber security, has equipped her uniquely for her new responsibilities as Inspector General.
Implications and Future Outlook
The dual charge of Ludhiana and Faridkot ranges places Jagdale at the helm of both a major industrial urban centre and a critical border zone. Her promotion signals the Punjab Police's confidence in her leadership, analytical skills, and ability to handle complex security environments. As a technology-savvy officer with an engineering mindset, her approach is expected to bring innovative solutions to policing in her new command. Her journey from an engineering student in Nagpur to a top police officer in Punjab continues to inspire many, especially women aspiring to leadership roles in uniformed services.
