Srinagar, May 31 (NVI): The Centre has relaxed the mandatory cooling-off period for Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdi, clearing the way for his fresh deputation to a central assignment before the completion of his tenure in the AGMUT cadre, officials said on Sunday.
The relaxation was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on a proposal moved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), they said.
Birdi, a 2003-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, had returned to Jammu and Kashmir in September 2023 after serving with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and rejoined his parent cadre the following month.
Under the existing IPS tenure policy, officers returning from central deputation are generally required to serve a three-year cooling-off period in their parent cadre before being considered for another assignment with the Centre.
However, the latest decision exempts Birdi from the requirement, making him eligible for a fresh central posting ahead of schedule, officials said.
Birdi is currently serving as IGP Kashmir and has been overseeing security and policing operations in the Valley.
His cooling-off period was originally due to end in October 2026. With the relaxation now granted, he can be considered immediately for a central assignment.
No official announcement has been made regarding his next posting, though the move is being seen in administrative circles as a precursor to his likely appointment to a key position in the Central Government, officials added.
Birdi has held several important assignments during his career, including positions in counter-insurgency and internal security operations.(NVI)
