G.S. Malik Appointed Gujarat DGP, Ahmedabad CP Race Begins

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a significant overhaul of Gujarat’s police leadership, the state government on Saturday appointed senior IPS officer Gyanendrasinh S. Malik as the new Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP and IGP), ending nearly five months of interim leadership at the top of the force and setting the stage for a key appointment in Ahmedabad.

Malik, a 1993-batch IPS officer currently serving as Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, succeeds K.L.N. Rao, who had been holding additional charge as in-charge DGP since January 1, 2026. Rao will continue to serve as Director General of CID Crime and Jails.

The appointment, announced by the Gujarat Home Department through an order issued in the name of the Governor, places Malik at the helm of one of the country’s largest police forces. Originally from Haryana, Malik has held several prestigious positions during his career, including Additional Director General roles in the Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). He is scheduled to retire in October 2028.

The state government has granted him the Apex Scale Level-17 pay matrix, carrying a fixed monthly salary of ₹2.25 lakh.

“Malik’s elevation comes at a crucial time when Gujarat continues to focus on strengthening law and order, technology-driven policing and internal security,” senior officials said.

With Malik’s move to the top post, attention has now shifted to the race for Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. Among the names being discussed are Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, CBI officer Manoj Shashidhar and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Piyush Patel.

Gehlot, a 1997-batch IPS officer, has served in several key policing assignments across Gujarat, including Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat. Meanwhile, Manoj Shashidhar’s long tenure in the CBI and experience in Ahmedabad Crime Branch have also made him a strong contender.

The appointment marks one of the most consequential police command changes in Gujarat this year, with further reshuffles expected in the coming weeks.