Madhya Pradesh IPS reshuffle: 11 officers get new roles across key divisions
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh DGP Kailash Makwana has reshuffled 11 IPS officers in a single order, covering everything from crime investigation and women's safety to arms and the Special Task Force. The sweep across 2009–2016 batches signals a deliberate recalibration of the state police's command structure.
Key Takeaways
DGP Kailash Makwana issued an immediate-effect reshuffle order on 5 May 2025 covering 11 IPS officers .
Prashant Khare (2009 batch) takes charge as DIG (Crime Investigation Department) ; Rahul Kumar Lodha (2011 batch) appointed DIG (Special Task Force) .
Simala Prasad (2011 batch) replaces Kiranlata Kerketta as DIG (Women's Safety) ; Kerketta moves to DIG (Complaints) .
Manish Khatri and Ramsharan Prajapati (both 2016 batch) appointed as Assistant Inspectors General in CID and Recruitment respectively.
The reshuffle spans officers from the 2009 to 2016 batches , covering welfare, training, administration, arms, and recruitment divisions.
The Madhya Pradesh police headquarters in Bhopal on Tuesday, 5 May announced a sweeping reshuffle of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, reallocating responsibilities across critical divisions including crime investigation, women's safety, training, and administration. The order, issued by state Director General of Police Kailash Makwana, takes immediate effect and covers officers from the 2009 to 2016 batches.
Key Appointments at the DIG Level
Avdhesh Goswami of the 2009 batch, previously serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the Police Headquarters, has been appointed DIG (Welfare/Accounts). Fellow 2009-batch officer Prashant Khare has been given charge as DIG (Crime Investigation Department), while Manish Agrawal from the same batch has been assigned as DIG (Training).
Kiranlata Kerketta of the 2010 batch, who previously held the DIG (Women's Safety) portfolio, has been moved to DIG (Complaints). Her batchmate Manoj Kumar Rai has been posted as DIG (Selection and Recruitment).
From the 2011 batch, Riaz Iqbal has been entrusted with the role of DIG (Administration), Rahul Kumar Lodha has been appointed DIG (Special Task Force), and Simala Prasad has taken charge as DIG (Women's Safety) — the role vacated by Kerketta. Shivdayal of the 2012 batch has been posted as DIG (Arms and Ammunition).
Younger Officers Step Into AIG Roles
Among the more recently inducted officers, Manish Khatri of the 2016 batch has been appointed Assistant Inspector General (Crime Investigation Department). His batchmate Ramsharan Prajapati has been assigned as Assistant Inspector General (Selection and Recruitment). Their inclusion signals an effort to infuse fresh leadership into operationally sensitive departments.
What the Reshuffle Signals
The breadth of the reshuffle — spanning welfare, crime, training, women's safety, administration, and specialised task forces — suggests a deliberate effort by the Madhya Pradesh Police leadership to strengthen institutional capacity across the board. Notably, the Women's Safety portfolio, a politically and socially sensitive division, has seen a direct officer-to-officer handover, ensuring continuity. This comes amid ongoing national scrutiny of state-level police preparedness on gender-related crimes.
The appointment of a dedicated DIG (Special Task Force) and a DIG (Arms and Ammunition) also points to the force's intent to sharpen its operational edge. Analysts note that such reshuffles, when executed with clear role mandates, can meaningfully improve coordination within large police hierarchies. The effectiveness of these appointments will become clearer in the months ahead as the newly posted officers settle into their mandates.
Background and Context
Large-scale IPS reshuffles in Madhya Pradesh are not uncommon ahead of administrative reviews or in response to evolving law-and-order priorities. The involvement of officers from multiple batches — spanning nearly a decade from 2009 to 2016 — reflects an attempt to balance experience with relative seniority across specialised roles. DGP Kailash Makwana's order underscores the headquarters' authority to recalibrate its command structure swiftly when strategic needs demand it.
Point of View
STF, arms, recruitment, training, and women's safety simultaneously — is rarely routine. The critical question is whether these postings come with clear performance mandates or are simply administrative rotations. The Women's Safety portfolio in particular demands continuity of strategy, not just continuity of rank; a change of officer without a change of approach achieves little. Madhya Pradesh has faced persistent scrutiny on gender-related crimes, and the new DIG (Women's Safety) will be under immediate pressure to demonstrate operational impact rather than administrative presence.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who ordered the IPS reshuffle in Madhya Pradesh on 5 May 2025?
The reshuffle was ordered by Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police Kailash Makwana on 5 May 2025. The order takes immediate effect and covers 11 IPS officers from the 2009 to 2016 batches.
Which officers were appointed to key roles in the Madhya Pradesh IPS reshuffle?
Key appointments include Prashant Khare as DIG (CID), Rahul Kumar Lodha as DIG (Special Task Force), Simala Prasad as DIG (Women's Safety), and Riaz Iqbal as DIG (Administration), among others. Two 2016-batch officers — Manish Khatri and Ramsharan Prajapati — were appointed as Assistant Inspectors General.
Who is the new DIG (Women's Safety) in Madhya Pradesh?
Simala Prasad of the 2011 batch has been appointed DIG (Women's Safety). She replaces Kiranlata Kerketta, who has been moved to the role of DIG (Complaints).
What is the significance of the Madhya Pradesh IPS reshuffle?
The reshuffle signals a broad recalibration of the state police's command structure, strengthening specialised divisions such as the Special Task Force, Crime Investigation Department, and Women's Safety. It involves officers across nearly a decade of batches, balancing experience with seniority.
When does the Madhya Pradesh IPS transfer order take effect?
The transfer order issued by DGP Kailash Makwana on 5 May 2025 takes immediate effect, meaning all newly assigned officers assume their roles without a transition period.
