Sonali Mishra (IPS) assumes charge as Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF)

New Delhi: In a historic first for the 143-year-old Railway Protection Force (RPF), Sonali Mishra, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as the new Director General of the RPF. Her appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, is effective until her superannuation on October 31, 2026.

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With over three decades of distinguished service, Mishra brings to the role a wealth of experience in law enforcement, training, and policy. Prior to her new assignment, she served as Additional Director General of Police (Selection/Recruitment) in Madhya Pradesh, while also holding additional responsibilities as ADG of the Police Training & Research Institute and Director of the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy in Bhopal.

Mishra has also held key positions in central agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Border Security Force (BSF). She has international exposure as well, having served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo.

In recognition of her exceptional service, Ms. Mishra has been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

As the new DG, she is expected to lead the RPF into a new era of modernization and strategic reform. Her focus areas include the adoption of cutting-edge technology, capacity building, and enhancing the force’s capabilities in tackling organised crimes such as human trafficking and crimes against vulnerable passengers.

Upon taking charge, Mishra expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead and reaffirmed her commitment to the core values of vigilance, courage, and service embodied in the RPF’s motto “Yasho Labhasva”.

The RPF, which plays a critical role in safeguarding railway property, ensuring passenger safety, and preventing crimes across one of the world’s largest rail networks, stands to gain significantly from Ms. Mishra’s visionary and inclusive leadership.

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