Sonali Mishra Becomes First Woman DG of Railway Protection Force

New Delhi: In a landmark moment for Indian policing, Sonali Mishra, a 1993 batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) — becoming the first woman to lead the 143-year-old security force.

She succeeds Manoj Yadava, who retired on July 31, and will serve in the role until her superannuation on October 31, 2026, as per the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

With over three decades of distinguished service, Mishra brings extensive experience in both state and central law enforcement agencies. Prior to her appointment, she served as Additional Director General of Police (Selection/Recruitment) in Madhya Pradesh, while also managing key leadership roles at the Police Training & Research Institute and the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy in Bhopal.

Her career includes significant assignments with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Border Security Force (BSF), and the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. She has been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, underscoring her commitment to excellence and leadership in policing.

Under her leadership, the RPF is expected to focus on modernisation, technology-driven policing, and community engagement, with an emphasis on combating organised crimes such as human trafficking and enhancing the safety of vulnerable passengers across the vast Indian Railways network.

Upon assuming office, Mishra expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and reiterated her commitment to the RPF’s core values of vigilance, courage, and service, encapsulated in its motto: “Yasho Labhasva.”

Her appointment marks a significant step forward in gender representation in leadership positions within India’s security forces.