In Brief
This judgment clarifies the Supreme Court's earlier directions in Prakash Singh regarding the appointment of State Directors General of Police. The Court addressed disputes over the minimum residual tenure officers must have to be considered for DGP positions. Rejecting both the practice of appointing officers on the eve of retirement and the Union Public Service Commission's interpretation requiring two years residual tenure, the Court fixed the minimum residual tenure at six months. DGP selection must be purely merit-based from officers having at least six months of service remaining before retirement, ensuring both impartial selection and adequate post-appointment tenure.
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