Sonali Mishra Becomes First Woman to Lead RPF

Sonali Mishra, a senior IPS officer from the 1993 batch, has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). She will be the first woman to head the RPF, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of railway passengers and property. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved her appointment, and she will serve in the role 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 the RPF. She will take over from Manoj Yadava, who will retire on July 31, 2025. This marks the first time a woman has been chosen to lead the RPF since its formation. The appointment was confirmed through an official order by the Personnel Ministry.

About Sonali Mishra

Sonali Mishra is an IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently serving as Additional Director General (Selection) in the state police. She has held several key positions, including,

• First woman BSF commander along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab (2021).
• Head of BSF formations in Kashmir as Inspector General.
• Led the intelligence wing of the BSF and later became ADG in the force.

She has been awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service for her outstanding work.

About the RPF

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was set up in 1957 through an Act of Parliament. In 1966, it was given powers to arrest and prosecute those involved in crimes related to railway property. Later, in 1985, it was declared an armed force of the Union. The RPF works to keep railway stations, trains, and passengers safe across the country.