Historic 145-year wait! IPS officer Sonali Mishra became first woman to be appointed as Director General of RPF


Historic 145-year wait! IPS officer Sonali Mishra became first woman to be appointed as Director General of RPF
Digital Desk: Sonali Mishra, a senior IPS officer from the 1993 batch, has been appointed Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force.
After a 145-year wait, Sonali Mishra becomes the first woman to lead the RPF, which is responsible for the safety of railway passengers and property.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet accepted her appointment, and she will hold the position until October 31, 2026.
On July 13, 2025, the Cabinet Appointments Committee confirmed Sonali Mishra's appointment as the RPF's new director general. She will succeed Manoj Yadava, who will retire on July 31, 2025.
It is to be mentioned that this is the first time a woman has been appointed to lead the RPF since its inception. The appointment was verified by an official order from the Personnel Ministry.
Sonali Mishra is an IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre who works as an Additional Director General (Selection) in the state police. Looking into her stalwart, she was the first woman to lead the BSF along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab (2021). As Inspector General, she is in charge of all BSF formations in Kashmir. Mishra also led the BSF's intelligence wing before rising to the rank of ADG.