IPS Officer Prashant Kumar is the highest-ranking officer in Uttar Pradesh, currently serving as the state’s acting Director General of Police (DGP). A distinguished member of the 1990 batch, Kumar has earned a reputation as one of the top officers in the Indian Police Service. Born on May 16, 1965, in Bihar, he completed his MSc in Applied Zoology, an MBA in Disaster Management, and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Initially selected as an IPS officer in Tamil Nadu, Kumar transferred to the Uttar Pradesh cadre in 1994 for personal reasons. Over the years, he has built an impressive career, particularly in curbing crime and handling dangerous situations. Kumar has received the Gallantry Award four times and the President’s Police Medal consecutively from 2020 to 2023, underscoring his exemplary service.
Notably, Kumar played a crucial role in a high-profile kidnapping case in 2017 while serving as the ADG of Meerut zone. He led a successful operation to rescue Dr. Shrikant Gaur, who had been kidnapped. The operation, which involved a high-stakes encounter, resulted in Dr. Gaur’s safe recovery and the arrest of the kidnappers.
Known for his expertise in handling encounters, Kumar has been involved in over 300 such operations, earning him the title of “encounter specialist.” His track record in managing critical situations and capturing criminals has significantly contributed to his esteemed reputation in law enforcement.
