In a landmark appointment, Sonali Mishra, a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has officially taken charge as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Her appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, is effective until her superannuation on October 31, 2026. With this, she becomes the first woman in the 143-year history of the RPF to assume the top post, heralding a new chapter in India’s railway security and policing.
A seasoned officer with over three decades of service, Ms. Mishra has held key leadership roles including Additional Director General of Police (Selection/Recruitment) in Madhya Pradesh, Director of the MP Police Academy, and senior postings in the CBI, BSF, and UN Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. Her stellar contributions have earned her the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Expressing gratitude upon assuming charge, Ms. Mishra emphasised her commitment to the RPF’s motto “Yasho Labhasva” (Attain Glory), and reiterated her resolve to uphold the values of vigilance, courage, and public service. She outlined a vision focused on modernisation, technological advancement, and inclusive policing, with special emphasis on combating human trafficking and enhancing passenger safety across Indian Railways.
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Under her leadership, the RPF is expected to deepen its community engagement and bolster its capabilities to address organised threats on the national railway network.
