Punjab grants 1-yr service extension to ADGP Pandey

AK Pandey, a 1994-batch IPS officer, was due to retire on January 31, 2026. The extension has been granted as a special case, according to orders issued by the state home department.

The Punjab government on Wednesday granted a one-year extension in service to senior IPS officer AK Pandey, who is currently posted as additional director general of police (ADGP), special protection unit (SPU), responsible for the security of the chief minister and governor.

Before Pandey, only 1982-batch IPS officer Suresh Arora had received such extensions, having been granted three one-year extensions during the tenure of then chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh while serving as Punjab director general of police.

Pandey, a 1994-batch IPS officer, was due to retire on January 31, 2026. The extension has been granted as a special case, according to orders issued by the state home department.

Officials described the move as rare. Before Pandey, only 1982-batch IPS officer Suresh Arora had received such extensions, having been granted three one-year extensions during the tenure of then chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh while serving as Punjab director general of police.

Pandey has been serving as ADGP, SPU, since the tenure of former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi. After Bhagwant Mann assumed office, Pandey was retained as the chief minister’s security in-charge and has continued in the role since then.

Officials said the extension was approved in view of administrative requirements and security-related considerations linked to Pandey’s current assignment.