Mukesh Singh arrives in Imphal, takes charge as Manipur DGP on June 1
Synopsis
Manipur gets a new police chief at a critical juncture — IPS officer Mukesh Singh, a veteran of Jammu and Kashmir's most volatile postings, arrives in Imphal to take charge as DGP on 1 June 2026. The transition comes as the state, which lost at least 260 lives to ethnic violence since May 2023, attempts to consolidate a fragile return to normalcy under a freshly formed BJP government.
Key Takeaways
Mukesh Singh arrived in Imphal on 30 May 2026 and formally takes charge as Manipur DGP on 1 June 2026 .
He succeeds Rajiv Singh , who has been appointed Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat .
The ACC approved Mukesh Singh's inter-cadre deputation to Manipur for three years , following an MHA proposal dated 15 May 2026 .
Mukesh Singh is an AGMUT cadre IPS officer (batch of 1996 ) and IIT Delhi alumnus who most recently served as DGP of Ladakh .
Manipur's ethnic conflict, which began on 3 May 2023 , has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced thousands across hill and valley districts.
President's Rule in Manipur was revoked on 4 February 2026 , with Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister.
Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Mukesh Singh arrived in Imphal on Saturday, 30 May and is set to formally assume charge as Manipur's Director General of Police (DGP) on 1 June 2026, officials said. His appointment marks a significant leadership transition in the state's police force at a time when authorities continue to work toward restoring peace following prolonged ethnic unrest.
Key Details of the Appointment
Mukesh Singh succeeds outgoing DGP Rajiv Singh, who has been appointed as Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the transfer of Mukesh Singh to Manipur on inter-cadre deputation for a period of three years, following a proposal received from the Ministry of Home Affairs on 15 May 2026, according to an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Mukesh Singh is an IPS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre and a B.Tech graduate in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. He joined the IPS in 1996 and most recently served as the DGP of Ladakh, a charge he assumed on 15 January 2026.
Singh's Experience in Sensitive Postings
Prior to his Ladakh assignment, Mukesh Singh served in several high-stakes postings across Jammu and Kashmir, including as Superintendent of Police in Reasi, Pulwama, Poonch, and Jammu during periods of heightened militancy and insurgency-related operations. His background in conflict-affected regions is seen as directly relevant to the challenges facing Manipur.
Shortly after his arrival, Singh met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the Civil Secretariat. The Chief Minister, in a post on his X handle, extended best wishes to the incoming DGP, expressing confidence that Singh's 'vast experience and distinguished service record' would provide 'strong leadership in maintaining peace, law and order, and public safety across the state.'
Outgoing DGP Rajiv Singh's Tenure
Outgoing DGP Rajiv Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, had been serving as Manipur's police chief since 1 June 2023 — taking charge at one of the most turbulent moments in the state's recent history. He was appointed Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat on 21 May 2026.
Before leading the Manipur Police, Rajiv Singh served as Additional Director General of Police in Tripura and later as Inspector General (Operations) at the CRPF headquarters in New Delhi. His tenure coincided with the full arc of the ethnic crisis that erupted on 3 May 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts — organised by tribal groups protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status — triggered widespread violence.
The Backdrop: Manipur's Ethnic Crisis
The ethnic conflict has claimed at least 260 lives, displaced thousands of residents, and severely disrupted normal life across both hill and valley districts. The prolonged unrest prompted the imposition of President's Rule in the state from 13 February 2025. President's Rule was revoked on 4 February 2026, just hours before a new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government was formed, with Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister.
Officials noted that the appointment of a new DGP carries particular significance as security agencies and the state government press ahead with efforts to consolidate law and order. Whether the leadership change accelerates the path to normalcy remains the central question facing Manipur's administration in the months ahead.
Point of View
A change at the top of the police hierarchy signals intent, but the state's fragile peace will ultimately hinge on dialogue that security forces alone cannot deliver.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new DGP of Manipur in 2026?
Mukesh Singh, an IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre (1996 batch), is the new Director General of Police of Manipur. He arrived in Imphal on 30 May 2026 and formally assumed charge on 1 June 2026, succeeding Rajiv Singh.
Why was a new DGP appointed for Manipur?
The appointment follows the transfer of outgoing DGP Rajiv Singh, who was named Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat on 21 May 2026. The ACC approved Mukesh Singh's inter-cadre deputation to Manipur for three years on the basis of a Ministry of Home Affairs proposal.
What is Mukesh Singh's background?
Mukesh Singh is a B.Tech graduate in Civil Engineering from IIT Delhi and joined the IPS in 1996. He served in sensitive postings across Jammu and Kashmir — including as Superintendent of Police in Pulwama, Poonch, Reasi, and Jammu — and most recently served as DGP of Ladakh from 15 January 2026.
What is the current situation in Manipur?
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic conflict since 3 May 2023, when violence erupted following protests over the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The unrest has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced thousands. President's Rule, imposed on 13 February 2025, was revoked on 4 February 2026 ahead of a new BJP-led government taking charge.
What happened to outgoing Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh?
Rajiv Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre who served as Manipur DGP since 1 June 2023, was appointed Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. He had led the Manipur Police through the most turbulent phase of the state's ethnic crisis.
