Bihar Appoints Akashdeep, Mukesh Kumar as DSP Under Medal Lao-Naukri Pao Policy

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The 2026 Sports Recruitment Framework

The appointments of Akashdeep and Mukesh Kumar stem from the Bihar Excellent Players Direct Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2026. This updated regulatory framework was recently approved during a state cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, creating a streamlined path for elite athletes to enter government service. This move is part of a broader state initiative known as the “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” (Bring Medal, Get Job) policy. According to Sports and Industry Minister Shreyasi Singh, the government aims to incentivize athletic excellence by offering government positions to medal winners. Singh specifically noted that athletes who participate in the Olympics are eligible for DSP-level appointments, with provisions to allow them to continue their sporting careers while employed. The policy extends beyond cricket. Reporting from Dainik Bhaskar indicates that athlete Piyush Raj is also being appointed as a gazetted officer under the same “Medal Lao-Naukri Pao” guidelines, signaling a systemic effort to integrate international sports success into the state’s administrative hierarchy.

Performance Metrics of Mukesh Kumar and Akashdeep

Both bowlers earned their positions through a combination of international representation and success at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, where they helped the Indian team secure a gold medal. The state’s decision reflects the specific professional trajectories of the two athletes. Mukesh Kumar, 32, a resident of Gopalganj, has established himself as a versatile white-ball threat and a reliable Test bowler. Akashdeep, 29, from Rohtas, has seen a rapid ascent in the Test arena, including a significant role in the 2025 India-England Test series. According to AajTak, Mukesh Kumar’s recent professional activity includes playing for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while Akashdeep’s Test average of 35.78 underscores his efficiency in the longest format of the game.

Administrative Path to the DSP Rank

The transition from the cricket pitch to the police force involved a multi-departmental approval process. The General Administration Department, specifically Under Secretary Siddheshwar Chaudhary, submitted the official proposal to the Home Department. A specialized selection committee reviewed the achievements of both bowlers before granting approval. Once the Home Department completes the formal administrative procedures, the appointments will be finalized, and both athletes will be stationed within the Home Department. This administrative fast-tracking is designed to boost the morale of young athletes in Bihar. By bypassing traditional civil service examinations in favor of sports merit, the government is attempting to brand the state as a hub for athletic talent, paralleling Minister Shreyasi Singh’s goals of hosting international sporting events in the future.

Timing and Political Visibility

The announcement carries significant personal and political timing. For Akashdeep, the appointment arrives just days before his wedding to Akshita Raj, a resident of Manikpur in Dehri on Son, scheduled for June 24. The political connection was made explicit on June 16, when Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary visited Akashdeep’s ancestral home in Baddi village, Rohtas, to offer wedding congratulations. The subsequent appointment to the DSP rank is being framed by local reports as a “gift” preceding the nuptials. This pattern of high-profile appointments serves a dual purpose: it rewards the athletes for bringing international prestige to Bihar and provides the administration with visible “wins” in youth engagement. By elevating local heroes to gazetted officer status, the state creates tangible examples of the rewards available to athletes who reach the national team. As the state continues to build infrastructure—including a modern stadium in Champaran—the integration of athletes into the police force suggests a long-term strategy to merge sporting achievement with state authority. For Mukesh Kumar and Akashdeep, the next 30 days will involve balancing the requirements of their international cricket schedules with the formal induction into the Bihar Police.

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