In a historic milestone for Jharkhand, 1994-batch IPS officer Tadasha Mishra on Friday took charge as the acting Director General of Police (DGP), becoming the first woman to lead the state police force since the state’s formation in 2000.
Mishra formally assumed office at the police headquarters in Ranchi and later met Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his residence in Kanke for a courtesy call.
Prior to her elevation, Mishra served as the Special Secretary in the Home, Prisons, and Disaster Management Department. A native of Odisha, she has held several key roles in her career, including Additional Director General (ADG), Inspector General (IG), and Superintendent of Police (SP) for districts such as Giridih, Bokaro, and Ranchi.
Speaking to the media after taking charge, Mishra outlined her priorities for the Jharkhand Police. “Every effort will be made to implement the state government’s vision for policing,” she said, stressing the importance of improving investigations, ensuring accountability, and promoting citizen-friendly policing.
“Effective policing depends on the quality of investigation. Special focus will be on strengthening investigations and ensuring an efficient, prompt, and robust prosecution system so that criminals are punished without delay,” she added.
Mishra also urged officers, especially those in field roles, to treat citizens with respect and uphold the image of a people-friendly police force.
Her appointment follows the voluntary retirement of former DGP Anurag Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer, whose request was accepted by the state government. Gupta had served as acting DGP since July 2024, was briefly removed by the Election Commission during Assembly elections, and reinstated afterward.
In February 2025, Jharkhand had introduced new rules for DGP appointments, under which Gupta was named regular DGP for a two-year term. However, objections from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Centre led to uncertainty about his tenure, culminating in his exit in early November.
With her appointment, Tadasha Mishra has not only made history but also become a symbol of progress and gender representation in Jharkhand’s top law enforcement leadership.
