From Fatehpur Hamlet to Chhattisgarh DGP: 1992-Batch IPS Officer, JNU Academic and President’s Police Medal Recipient Assumes Charge as Permanent Chief of Chhattisgarh Police
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Government has designated 1992 batch IPS officer Arun Dev Gautam as the full-time Director General of Police (DGP) of Chhattisgarh, officially concluding his nearly 17-month tenure as the acting head of the state police department.
A widely honoured IPS officer with over thirty years of service, Gautam has managed significant field, administrative and anti-insurgency responsibilities in both undivided Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Prior to his promotion, he served as Director General of Civil Defence and additionally handled the post of Director of Public Prosecution. Earlier, he worked as Home Secretary to the Chhattisgarh administration and supervised departments including prisons, transport, home guards and fire services.
Modest Roots in Uttar Pradesh
IPS Gautam was born on July 2, 1967, in Abhaypur village of Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to Krishna Bahadur Singh and Shanti Devi, who came from a simple agricultural family.
He completed his foundational education in government institutions and later attended Government Inter College in Allahabad (now Prayagraj)
Academic Distinction: From Allahabad University to JNU
He possesses a strong academic record.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science from University of Allahabad
M.Phil. in International Law from Jawaharlal Nehru University
He qualified the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his second attempt and entered the Indian Police Service on October 12, 1992.
Career Started in Undivided Madhya Pradesh
Initially assigned to the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Gautam’s early appointments included:
IPS Probationer in Jabalpur
City Superintendent of Police (CSP), Bilaspur
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP), Kawardha
Additional Superintendent of Police, Bhopal
Following the creation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, he selected the Chhattisgarh cadre.
Superintendent of Police in Six Major Districts
Mr Gautam built a strong reputation while serving as Superintendent of Police in:
Koriya
Raigarh
Jashpur
Rajnandgaon
Sarguja
Bilaspur
After the 2009 Naxal strike in Rajnandgaon, he was entrusted with restoring normalcy and reinforcing security operations in the area.
Bastar Assignment After the Jhiram Valley Attack
One of the most significant assignments of his career came after the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack, in which several senior Congress leaders lost their lives.
Gautam was appointed Inspector General of Bastar and effectively supervised security preparations for subsequent Assembly elections, ensuring notably higher voter participation despite severe insurgency threats.
Senior Administrative Roles
Across the years, Gautam has held several prominent positions, including:
Director General of Civil Defence
Director of Public Prosecution (additional charge)
Home Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh
Chief of Chhattisgarh Armed Force
Inspector General, Bilaspur Range
Senior assignments in CID, Police Headquarters and Chief Minister Security
National and International Recognition
His distinguished career has earned him several notable honours:
United Nations Medal (2002) for peacekeeping duty in Kosovo
Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2010)
President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2018)
Personal Life
Arun Dev Gautam married Jyoti Gautam in 1994. The couple has two sons:
Akshat Gautam, a lecturer in Bhubaneswar
Dr. Tanmay Gautam, a government physician in Bilaspur
He is also regarded as a devoted follower of Lord Hanuman and maintains deep spiritual connections with the Lete Hanuman Temple in Prayagraj.
What His Appointment Signifies for Chhattisgarh
As full-time DGP, Gautam is expected to focus on:
Reinforcing anti-Naxal operations
Upgrading police systems and technology
Strengthening law and order administration
Enhancing training and welfare of police personnel
His combination of field experience, academic strength and administrative expertise is expected to deliver firm and stable leadership to the Chhattisgarh Police.