In a surprising turn of events, former Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj has stepped down from his position as the chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC). His resignation comes merely a week after his appointment, sending ripples through the state's administrative circles.
A Swift and Unexpected Departure
Alok Raj, a retired 1989-batch IPS officer, was appointed to the top post at the BSSC on December 31, 2025. However, his tenure proved to be exceptionally brief. On Tuesday, he formally submitted his resignation, citing personal and unavoidable circumstances as the reason for his sudden decision.
Speaking to reporters, Raj confirmed the development, stating that he had sent his resignation to the competent authority. He emphasized that the move was driven solely by personal reasons, though he did not elaborate on the specifics. The rapid sequence of appointment and resignation has raised eyebrows, given the critical role of the BSSC in overseeing recruitment for various state government posts.
Distinguished Career Prior to BSSC Role
Before this short-lived appointment, Alok Raj had a long and distinguished career in the Bihar police force. His service culminated in him holding the prestigious position of the state's Director General of Police. Following his retirement from the police service, he also served as the chairman-cum-CMD of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation.
His extensive experience in senior administrative roles made him a seemingly ideal candidate for heading the staff selection commission, a body that requires a firm understanding of governance and procedure.
Implications and Next Steps
The immediate consequence of this resignation is a leadership vacuum at the Bihar Staff Selection Commission. The commission is responsible for conducting examinations and recruiting staff for numerous non-gazetted posts in the state government. A delay in appointing a new permanent chairman could potentially impact ongoing and future recruitment processes.
The state government now faces the task of quickly identifying a suitable replacement to ensure the commission's work continues without major disruption. The unexpected nature of Raj's exit underscores the challenges in high-level appointments and highlights how personal considerations can swiftly alter administrative plans.
While the former DGP has maintained that his reasons are personal, the development is sure to be a topic of discussion in Patna's political and bureaucratic corridors until a new appointment brings stability to the position.
