Manoj Abraham to become DGP from May onwards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Manoj Abraham, who currently oversees law and order, will be promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) on May 1. This promotion follows the retirement of Fire Force Chief K. Padmakumar on April 27. Manoj Abraham’s service term extends until June 2031.

He is among six senior IPS officers shortlisted by the Kerala government and sent to the central government as potential candidates for the next state police chief. The incumbent DGP, Shaik Darvesh Sahib, is set to retire in June. Upon his retirement, ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar is expected to be elevated to the DGP rank. However, this could be blocked if Suresh Raj Purohit, currently on deputation with the Special Protection Group (SPG), returns to the Kerala cadre. Purohit has expressed willingness to return if appointed as DGP.

Meanwhile, M.R. Ajith Kumar may have to wait until the retirement of senior officer Nitin Agarwal in July 2026 to advance further. With Manoj Abraham’s promotion, he will be relieved of his current law and order responsibilities. The charge of law and order is likely to be assigned to one of the Additional Directors General of Police (ADGPs) such as S. Sreejith, H. Venkatesh, Balramkumar Upadhyay, or P. Vijayan.