Sonali Mishra becomes the first woman Director General of Railway Protection Force

Why in news ?

Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sonali Mishra took over as the Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Her appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet (ACC).
For the first time in the 143-year history of Indian Railways, a woman officer has been appointed as the Director General of RPF.
This is a symbol of encouragement to women leadership in the Indian security system.
She will hold this post till 31 October 2026.

She is a 1993 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and her cadre is Madhya Pradesh.
She has more than 30 years of police service experience.
He has served in the country's top security agencies and training institutes, including:

Sector	Position/Role
Madhya Pradesh Police	- Additional DGP (Selection/Recruitment), Police Training and Research Institute, Bhopal - Director, Madhya Pradesh Police Academy
CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)	- Served in various positions, specialized in anti-corruption cases
BSF (Border Security Force)	- Experience in border security and operations
United Nations (UN)	- Contributed to international missions as a peacekeeper

Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a central armed force constituted to protect the Indian Railways.
It was established in 1957 and got statutory status under the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957.
The force functions under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
The main function of RPF is to protect railway property, passengers and their belongings.
The force also has some police powers like the right to arrest and interrogate.
RPF uses modern technologies like CCTV surveillance, cyber cell and dog squad.

Q. Sonali Mishra has become the first woman Director General of which force?

(a) Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

(b) Railway Protection Force (RPF)

(d) National Security Guard (NSG)