On June 30, 2025, Ravada A. Chandrasekhar was appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Kerala. This news marked a significant moment in his long career. He is a senior IPS officer from the 1991 batch. His journey is inspiring. It shows his hard work and commitment to public service. This article tells the story of his life in simple words. It covers his early days, education, career, challenges, and achievements.
Early Life and Background
Ravada Chandrasekhar was born in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh. His father, Ravada Venkita Rao, was a farmer. He wanted his son to become a civil servant. Young Chandrasekhar had big dreams. He first wanted to be a doctor. But he could not join a medical college. So, he studied agriculture instead. He worked hard and completed his post-graduation. Later, he decided to try for the civil services. His determination paid off. In 1991, he cleared the tough IPS exam. This was the start of his journey as a police officer.
Ravada Chandrasekhar IPS Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Caste, Native
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ravada A. Chandrasekhar |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly available (Born in Godavari region, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Father’s Name | Ravada Venkita Rao |
| Father’s Occupation | Farmer |
| Early Education | Studied agriculture; completed post-graduation |
| Initial Career Aspiration | Wanted to become a doctor, could not join medical college |
| IPS Batch | 1991 batch |
| First Posting | Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Thalassery, Kerala |
| Major Early Incident | Koothuparamba firing incident (November 25, 1994) |
| Details of Incident | Protest by DYFI activists turned violent; 5 died, 6 injured; charges filed, cleared by Kerala HC in 2012 |
| Key Roles in Kerala | - SP: Wayanad, Malappuram, Ernakulam Rural, Palakkad - DIG: Thrissur, Kochi - Commissioner: Thiruvananthapuram - IG: State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) |
| Central Deputation | Joined Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 2008; served for 15 years |
| Key Role in IB | Special Director, Intelligence Bureau (by 2025) |
| Other Experience | Served on United Nations deputation |
| Appointment as DGP | Director General of Police (DGP), Kerala, appointed June 30, 2025 |
| Selection Process | Chosen from UPSC shortlist (Nitin Agrawal, Chandrasekhar, Yogesh Gupta) by Kerala cabinet |
| Controversies | Koothuparamba incident led to murder/conspiracy charges; cleared in 2012 |
| Political Support | Supported by CPI(M) leaders (P. Jayarajan, M.V. Govindan); criticized by Youth Congress |
| Personal Qualities | Calm, fair, hardworking, dedicated to public service |
| Leadership Style | Listens to all sides, stays focused in tough situations |
| Current Responsibility | Leading Kerala Police as 41st DGP; aims to improve law and order |
| Future Plans | Make police more people-friendly; strengthen security using IB experience |
| Tenure as DGP | May get extension beyond one year due to Supreme Court’s two-year rule |
| Achievements | - Maintained law and order in multiple districts - Improved city policing in Thiruvananthapuram - Handled national security tasks in IB - Enhanced police systems at SCRB |
| Inspiration | Rose from a farmer’s son to Kerala’s police chief; inspires young people |
Beginning of a Police Career
Chandrasekhar’s career began in Kerala. His first posting was as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Thalassery. It was a challenging start. Just two days after joining, he faced a difficult situation. On November 25, 1994, a protest by DYFI activists turned violent in Koothuparamba, Kannur. The group was against a government education policy. Chandrasekhar was in charge of the police operation. The situation got out of control. The police opened fire. Five activists lost their lives. Six others were injured. This incident became a big controversy. Chandrasekhar and other officers faced serious charges, including murder. The case went on for many years. In 2012, the Kerala High Court cleared him of all charges. This was a big relief for him.
Rising Through the Ranks
Despite the early challenge, Chandrasekhar did not give up. He worked hard to prove himself. He served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in many districts. These included Wayanad, Malappuram, Ernakulam Rural, and Palakkad. He handled law and order with care. People respected his calm and fair approach. Later, he became Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Thrissur and Kochi. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Thiruvananthapuram. His work in these roles was impressive. He showed strong leadership skills. His ability to stay calm in tough situations earned him praise.
Central Deputation and Intelligence Bureau
In 2008, Chandrasekhar moved to central deputation. He joined the Intelligence Bureau (IB). This was a big step in his career. For 15 years, he worked in important roles. He handled sensitive tasks related to national security. His experience grew stronger. By 2025, he became the Special Director of the IB. This is a very high position. He was also considered for the role of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. But he chose to return to Kerala. He wanted to serve as the state’s police chief. This decision showed his love for his home cadre.
Appointment as Kerala’s Police Chief
In June 2025, the Kerala government needed a new police chief. The current DGP, Shaik Darvesh Saheb, was retiring. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) made a list of three officers. These were Nitin Agrawal, Ravada Chandrasekhar, and Yogesh Gupta. Chandrasekhar was the second name on the list. The Kerala cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, chose him. This was a big moment. He became the 41st DGP of Kerala. His appointment was based on merit. But it caused some debate because of the Koothuparamba incident. Some political groups were unhappy. However, CPI(M) leaders like P. Jayarajan and M.V. Govindan supported him. They said the court had cleared him. They believed he was the right choice.
Challenges and Controversies
The Koothuparamba incident was the biggest challenge in Chandrasekhar’s career. It happened early in his service. He was new to Kerala. He had just come from Hyderabad. The incident made him a target of criticism. Some political groups blamed him for the deaths. The case went on for nearly 20 years. A judicial inquiry in 1997 said the firing was not justified. Chandrasekhar faced charges of murder and conspiracy. But in 2012, the Kerala High Court dismissed the case. It said there was no proper sanction to prosecute him. This cleared his name. Still, the incident remains a sensitive topic. His appointment as DGP brought back some of these debates. But his supporters say he was only doing his duty.
Achievements and Contributions
Chandrasekhar’s career is full of achievements. He served in many tough roles. As SP in different districts, he maintained peace and order. His work as DIG in Thrissur and Kochi was notable. He handled complex law and order issues. As Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram, he improved city policing. His time in the Intelligence Bureau was remarkable. He worked on national security for 15 years. His skills in intelligence and policing made him a trusted officer. He also served on a United Nations deputation. This added to his global experience. Later, he became Inspector General (IG) at the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB). His work there improved police systems.
Personal Qualities and Leadership
Chandrasekhar is known for his calm nature. He stays focused even in tough times. His colleagues respect his fairness. He listens to all sides before deciding. This makes him a good leader. He is also hardworking. He rose from a small village to a top police officer. His journey inspires many young people. He believes in serving the public. His return to Kerala shows his commitment. He could have stayed in a powerful central role. But he chose to lead Kerala’s police force. This shows his dedication to his state.
Current Role and Future Impact
As Kerala’s new DGP, Chandrasekhar has a big responsibility. He leads a large police force. Kerala faces many challenges, like crime and political tensions. His experience will help him. The Supreme Court says a DGP must serve at least two years. Since Chandrasekhar has only one year left before retirement, he may get an extension. This will give him time to make changes. He plans to improve law and order. He also wants to make the police more people-friendly. His long experience in the IB will help him handle security issues. People expect him to bring positive changes.
Public Reaction and Political Support
The public has mixed feelings about Chandrasekhar’s appointment. Some remember the Koothuparamba incident. They question his selection. Others trust his experience. Political leaders have different views. The CPI(M) supports him. They say his appointment is based on merit. Leaders like P. Jayarajan say the government made the right choice. But the Youth Congress and others criticize it. They bring up the past incident. Despite this, Chandrasekhar focuses on his work. He wants to serve Kerala with honesty.
A Life of Resilience
Ravada Chandrasekhar’s story is one of resilience. He faced many challenges. The Koothuparamba case was a dark moment. But he did not let it stop him. He worked hard and rose to the top. His journey from a farmer’s son to Kerala’s police chief is inspiring. He studied agriculture but chose a different path. He cleared the IPS exam with determination. His career took him to many places. From Thalassery to Delhi, he served with pride. His return to Kerala shows his roots are strong. He wants to give back to the state.
Conclusion
Ravada A. Chandrasekhar is a man of duty. His life shows how hard work can overcome obstacles. From a small village in Andhra Pradesh to the top police post in Kerala, his journey is remarkable. The Koothuparamba incident was a tough moment. But he proved his innocence. His roles in Kerala and the IB show his skills. As the new DGP, he has big plans. He wants to make Kerala’s police stronger and better. People may have different opinions about him. But his dedication is clear. Ravada Chandrasekhar is ready to lead with courage and honesty. His story inspires us all to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.
