Who is Gaurav Yadav? Journey from Jaunpur to Punjab's Permanent DGP

In a significant administrative development for Punjab's law enforcement, गौरव यादव (Gaurav Yadav) has been officially appointed as the permanent Director General of Police (DGP) of the state. This appointment, announced via official notification on October 9, 2026, brings an end to a multi-year period of interim leadership in the state's police force [2].

Transition from Interim to Permanent Leadership

The appointment of गौरव यादव is particularly notable because of the duration of his previous role. A 1992-batch IPS officer, he had been serving as the acting or executive DGP since July 4, 2022, taking over the additional charge after the former DGP, V.K. Bhavra, went on leave [2]. For several years, the state operated without a permanent head of police as the government had not sent a panel for a permanent appointment.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) eventually selected गौरव यादव from a three-member panel. The other candidates considered for the role were Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan and Harpreet Singh Sindhu [2]. According to the official notification, his permanent tenure in this position is set for two years.

Professional Trajectory and Expertise

Throughout his career in the Punjab cadre, गौरव यादव has held several high-profile positions that blend police administration with executive governance. He previously served as the Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a role that placed him at the intersection of political leadership and security implementation [1].

Beyond administrative roles, he has contributed significantly to the Punjab Police Modernization wing, focusing on updating the state's policing infrastructure. His experience is broad, having served in various capacities under different political administrations, including the Akali Dal and BJP alliance governments [2].

Personal Background and Education

The trajectory of गौरव यादव from a rural village in Uttar Pradesh to the top police post in Punjab is seen as a point of pride for his hometown. He hails from Belapar village in the Baksha block of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh [1]. He is the only son of retired Colonel Bhagwati Prasad Yadav.

His academic foundation was built across several major cities, with his education completed in Kanpur, Lucknow, and Delhi [1]. His family continues a tradition of high professional achievement; his two daughters are also distinguished, with one serving as a doctor at AIIMS and the other as a Managing Director (MD) within the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) [2].

Key Detail	Information
IPS Batch	1992
Permanent Appointment Date	October 9, 2026
Tenure Duration	2 Years
Hometown	Belapar, Jaunpur (UP)
Acting DGP Since	July 4, 2022