Ms. Sonali Mishra IPS (Madhya Pradesh 1993) has been appointed as the new Director General of RPF, in a landmark moment in the 143-year history of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to hold the top position in the force, a development widely welcomed across the policing and railway community.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved her appointment to the post until her superannuation on October 31, 2026. A seasoned Indian Police Service officer, Ms. Mishra brings with her over 30 years of wide-ranging and exemplary service marked by integrity, dedication, and leadership.
Prior to this assignment, Ms. Mishra served as Additional Director General of Police (Selection/Recruitment) in Madhya Pradesh, while also holding the additional responsibilities of ADG, Police Training & Research Institute, Bhopal, and Director of the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy. Her leadership in these key training and selection positions has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of police professionals.
Her vast experience includes significant tenures in elite organizations such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Border Security Force (BSF), apart from her distinguished international service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. Her rich exposure to both domestic and international policing frameworks positions her uniquely to lead the RPF in its evolving mandate.
In recognition of her outstanding service, Ms. Mishra has been conferred with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service — both testament to her consistent professionalism and commitment to duty.
The Railway Protection Force, a central armed police force under the Ministry of Railways, is entrusted with safeguarding railway property, ensuring passenger safety, and preventing crime across India’s vast rail network. Under Ms. Mishra’s stewardship, the Force is expected to witness a renewed emphasis on modernization, adoption of smart technology, and a stronger push toward tackling emerging threats like human trafficking and crimes targeting vulnerable groups.
Known for her inclusive leadership style and emphasis on training, Ms. Mishra is likely to focus on capacity-building within the Force and enhancing its outreach and engagement with railway users. Her vision aligns with the evolving priorities of the RPF, which is increasingly playing a proactive role in national security and social protection.
Upon taking charge, Ms. Sonali Mishra expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her and reaffirmed her dedication to upholding the core values of vigilance, courage, and service — the very ethos captured in the RPF’s motto “Yasho Labhasva” (Attain Glory).
The RPF fraternity has extended a warm welcome to its new Director General and looks forward to scaling new heights under her leadership. Her appointment not only marks a historic milestone for the Force but also serves as an inspiring testament to women’s leadership in Indian policing.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Ms Sonali Mishra the very best.