Centre Waives Cooling-Off Norm for IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, Clears Path for Central Assignment
ACC approves Home Ministry proposal, making senior IPS officer eligible for immediate deputation to a key Central Government role.
Srinagar, May 31: In a significant personnel decision, the Central Government has granted an exemption from the mandatory cooling-off period to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V.K. Birdi, enabling the senior IPS officer to be considered for a fresh assignment under the Government of India ahead of schedule.
The approval came after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared a proposal moved by the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking relaxation of deputation norms for the 2003-batch AGMUT cadre officer. The decision removes a key administrative hurdle that would otherwise have delayed his eligibility for another Central posting.
Under standard service regulations, officers returning from Central deputation are generally required to complete a prescribed tenure in their parent cadre before being considered for another assignment with the Union Government. Birdi, who returned to Jammu and Kashmir after completing his tenure with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was still within that mandatory period.
After rejoining the AGMUT cadre in late 2023, Birdi assumed responsibility as IGP Kashmir and has since been overseeing security management, law-and-order operations, and policing initiatives across the Valley. His tenure has coincided with several important security and administrative developments in the region.
With the latest relaxation approved by the Centre, Birdi can now be considered immediately for a national-level posting without waiting for the completion of the remaining tenure requirement. The exemption effectively advances his eligibility by several months.
Although the Government has not yet disclosed details regarding his next assignment, the move has sparked speculation within administrative and security circles about his likely appointment to a prominent position in the Central establishment.
Known for his extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations, policing, and security administration, Birdi has served in multiple important capacities during his career. His professional track record and previous exposure to Central security institutions have contributed to his reputation as one of the most experienced IPS officers from the AGMUT cadre.
The latest decision is being viewed as a reflection of the Centre’s confidence in the officer’s capabilities and could pave the way for his return to a strategic role at the national level in the near future.
