Sonali Mishra Becomes First Woman to Lead RPF

Sonali Mishra, a senior IPS officer of the 1993 batch, has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of Railway Protection Force (RPF).  She will be the first woman to lead the RPF, which is responsible for ensuring the security of railway passengers and property. The appointment has been made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and she will serve in that capacity until October 31, 2026.

A Historic Appointment

On July 13, 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Sonali Mishra as the new DG of RPF.  She will replace Manoj Yadava, who retires on July 31, 2025.  This is the first-time lady has been chosen as leader of the RPF since the inception of the RPF.  Her appointment was formalized with an order from the Personnel Ministry.

About Sonali Mishra

Sonali Mishra is an IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre and is currently serving as Additional Director General (Selection) in Madhya Pradesh police.  She has served in a variety of important roles including,

• First lady BSF commander along Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab (2021)

• Chief of the BSF establishments in Kashmir as Inspector General

• Led the BSF intelligence wing and served as ADG later

She has been conferred with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service for sustained distinguished work in policing.