Name: Ravada A Chandrashekhar
Batch: 1991 (Kerala cadre)
Current Designation: Director General of Police (State Police Chief), Kerala
Origin: West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
Education: Postgraduate degree (after initially aiming for medical school) (theweek.in)
1. 🧭 Early Life & Educational Foundations
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Born into a farmer’s family in Andhra Pradesh's Godavari region.
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Initially aspired to become an MBBS doctor but, after not clearing medical entrance, pursued a postgraduate degree before turning to civil services (keralakaumudi.com).
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Cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination, joining the Indian Police Service in 1991, allocated to the Kerala cadre.
2. 👮♂️ Policing Career: From ASP to State DGP
Early Field Postings
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Assistant SP (ASP), Thalassery: One of his first postings in Kerala after arriving from Hyderabad (theweek.in).
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Superintendent of Police in various districts including Wayanad, Malappuram, Ernakulam Rural, and Palakkad (onmanorama.com).
Leadership Roles
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DIG, Thrissur & Kochi ranges; then served as Commissioner of Police, Thiruvananthapuram (onmanorama.com).
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Joined Central Deputation in 2008, working extensively with the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Rose to Additional Director, then Special Director, IB (Mumbai zone) (english.mathrubhumi.com).
Return to Kerala
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In June 2025, shortlisted by UPSC and appointed the 41st Director General of Police of Kerala during a special cabinet meeting (english.mathrubhumi.com).
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Formally assumed charge shortly after his predecessor, Shaik Darvesh Saheb (IPS: 1990), stepped down on 30 June 2025 (english.mathrubhumi.com).
3. 🕵️ Noteworthy Controversy: The Koothuparamba Firing (1994)
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Just 48 hours into his ASP role at Thalassery, Ravada was involved in the 1994 Koothuparamba firing, where police opened fire on protesting DYFI activists—resulting in 5 deaths and 6 injuries (theweek.in).
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A judicial inquiry (1997) termed the firing “not justified” and excessive. Charges, including murder and conspiracy, were leveled at Ravada and colleagues (onmanorama.com).
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In June 2012, Kerala High Court quashed all charges, citing lack of sanction, leading to permanent exoneration (theweek.in).
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The incident remained a significant public and political memory but ceased to haunt his rise post-2012 .
4. ✅ Career Highlights & Central Appointments
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Central Intelligence Bureau: Built a high-profile resume in Mumbai and nationally, earning promotion to Special Director (english.mathrubhumi.com).
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Empanelled for DGP-grade in 2023; shortlisted for Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, a post he was to assume in August 2025 (theweek.in).
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However, Kerala state government pivoted, securing his return as State DGP, enabling a one-year service extension under Supreme Court rulings for a two-year DGP term (theweek.in).
5. 🔍 The Recent Appointment: What & Why It Matters
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Kerala’s Chief Minister convened a special cabinet meeting on 30 June 2025, selecting Chandrashekhar from a UPSC shortlist that included Nitin Agarwal and Yogesh Gupta (english.mathrubhumi.com).
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Official gazette issued by Kerala Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak (onmanorama.com).
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Aged nearly 60 with one year to retire formally (July 2026), he will enjoy the full term until June 2027, thanks to a two-year guaranteed tenure for state DGPs (onmanorama.com).
6. 🧩 Style & Leadership Traits
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Known for combining field experience and intelligence insight—making him adept at crisis management and internal security issues.
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Holds a reputation for disciplined administration, yet remains controversial due to the past firing incident. Critics question whether that legacy may resurface.
7. ⚖️ Recent News & Public Reactions
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Reactions: Coverage spans Tamil, English & Malayalam media. Proponents laud his IB insights while critics spotlight his past on Koothuparamba—the 2012 acquittal remains the official closure (onmanorama.com).
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Official Transition: Shaik Darvesh Saheb’s evening retirement and handover in Thiruvananthapuram will precede Chandrasekhar’s arrival—possibly delayed depending on travel clearances (keralakaumudi.com).
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Central vs State: Highlights how officers on central deputation can return to take key state-level roles, often bypassing senior state officers like Agarwal or Gupta (onmanorama.com).
8. 🎯 SEO Keywords to Include
Kerala DGP 2025, Ravada Chandrashekhar biography, Koothuparamba firing IPS, Kerala police chief latest appointment, 1991‑batch IPS officer, Supreme Court DGP tenure guarantee.
9. 🧠 Top 10 Interesting Facts
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Ravada originally wanted to be a doctor—transitioned to IPS only after failing MBBS admission (keralakaumudi.com).
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Served nearly 17 years on central deputation before returning to state service .
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Oversaw intelligence in Mumbai, one of India’s most critical zones for national security (english.mathrubhumi.com).
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Became controversial figure due to 1994 Koothuparamba firing, which led to legal proceedings (onmanorama.com).
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High Court acquittal came in June 2012, ending an 18-year legal saga (english.mathrubhumi.com).
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Empanelled for DGP-level post and Secretary (Security) role before reassignment to Kerala DGP (theweek.in).
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Official gazette for his DGP posting signed by Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak (onmanorama.com).
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Will likely receive one-year extension beyond July 2026 due to fixed-duration rule (indianmandarins.com).
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Transition handled strategically: will take over from Shaik Darvesh Saheb post-retirement on 30 June 2025 (english.metrovaartha.com).
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Among few officers who have held both field policing and intelligence leadership roles at state and central levels.
10. 📌 FAQs
Q1: When did Ravada Chandrashekhar become Kerala’s DGP?
A: He was appointed on 30 June 2025 and is expected to assume office immediately after Shaik Darvesh Saheb’s retirement that evening .
Q2: What happened in the Koothuparamba firing?
A: On 25 November 1994, police under ASP Chandrashekhar opened fire on DYFI protesters, killing 5 and injuring 6. A 1997 inquiry deemed it unjustified. He faced charges until June 2012, when the High Court quashed them .
Q3: Will he retire soon?
A: Though scheduled to retire in July 2026, the Supreme Court-mandated two-year minimum DGP tenure enables a likely extension till June 2027 .
Q4: Why was he chosen over senior state officers?
A: The UPSC empanelment list included only officers with DGP rank and 30 years’ service. Chandrashekhar, with central intelligence experience and state endorsement, outweighed other candidates .
Q5: Has he faced other controversies?
A: The Koothuparamba case is the main controversy. He has maintained a clean record since his acquittal, focusing on policing and intelligence tasks.
✅ Conclusion
Ravada A Chandrashekhar’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Kerala policing: a seasoned IPS officer blending field acumen and intelligence leadership has returned to head the state’s forces. While his early controversy remains a blemish for some, his subsequent legal clearance and strong administrative credentials position him as a pragmatic leader during a transformative tenure.
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