The appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab differs from other states in India in that it requires the Centre's approval. This is in keeping with a Supreme Court order that mandates the Centre's involvement in the appointment process and aims to ensure the impartiality and transparency of the selection process. Here are some key points to understand the process:

• The Punjab Police Act, 2007, requires that the DGP be appointed by the state government in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• However, the final appointment must be approved by the Centre, which can give its consent or suggest an alternate candidate.
• This means that the state government cannot unilaterally appoint the DGP, but must involve the Centre in the decision-making process.
• Other states have different appointment procedures for the DGP, with some allowing the state government greater autonomy in the selection process.
• The Supreme Court order was issued in 2018 in response to a petition that sought to address the politicisation of police appointments in some states.

Overall, while the appointment of the DGP in Punjab is subject to greater oversight compared to other states, this is aimed at promoting transparency and ensuring that the process is free from political interference.