In a landmark moment for gender representation in Indian law enforcement, IPS officer Sonali Mishra has been appointed as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), becoming the first woman in the country’s history to lead the central security force.
With this historic appointment, Mishra not only breaks new ground in the Indian Railways’ 145-year-old security structure but also adds another pioneering achievement to her name—having previously been the first woman to command a Border Security Force (BSF) formation on the Indo-Pak border.
“It’s not just a personal milestone, but a message to every young woman that no domain is beyond reach,” said Mishra during her first address as RPF chief.
A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, Sonali Mishra has earned a reputation for operational excellence, strategic leadership, and dedication to inclusive policing. Her tenure in the BSF, where she commanded operations in sensitive zones along the western frontier, earned her widespread respect within India’s security community.
- First woman Director General, RPF
- First woman to lead a BSF field formation along the India-Pakistan border
- 30+ years of service in internal security, counterinsurgency, and border management
Mishra’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Railway Protection Force, which is expanding its role in passenger safety, anti-trafficking operations, and technological modernization across India’s vast rail network.
“Sonali Mishra’s leadership is a beacon of empowerment and progress. Her trailblazing journey reflects the evolving role of women in India’s security forces,” said Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
As the RPF prepares to bolster its digital surveillance, AI-assisted monitoring, and gender-sensitive policing initiatives, Sonali Mishra’s leadership is expected to usher in a new era of inclusive and strategic security reforms within the Indian Railways system.
