Government Appoints New Chiefs for ITBP, BSF and NIA

According to the orders issued by the Ministry of Personnel, the central government has appointed Shatrujit Singh Kapoor as DG of ITBP, Praveen Kumar as the new DG of BSF and Rakesh Agrawal as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

• On 14 January, 2026, according to the orders issued by the Ministry of Personnel, the Centre appointed Shatrujit Singh Kapoor as DG of ITBP, while Praveen Kumar was made the new DG of BSF.
• Apart from this, senior IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre of 1994 batch Rakesh Agrawal was appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) till 31 August, 2028.

Shatrujit Singh Kapoor as ITBP chief

• 1990 batch IPS officer Shatrujit Singh Kapoor has been appointed as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
• He is currently serving in his cadre state Haryana. Kapoor will replace Praveen Kumar and will remain in the post till 31 October, 2026, which is his date of retirement.
• His appointment is expected to strengthen the leadership in ITBP, which protects India’s sensitive Himalayan borders.
• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was formed on 24 October, 1962 after the India-China war to protect India’s Himalayan borders with Tibet (China). It evolved from the Frontier Rifles into a specialized mountain warfare force.
• "One Border, One Force" (2004): Taking over the place of other forces in areas like Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, it was given full responsibility of the India-China border (LAC). Motto: "Shaurya-Dridhata-Karmanishtha" (Bravery-Determination-Duty).

Praveen Kumar as BSF Director General

• The current ITBP chief Praveen Kumar, who is a 1993 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force.
• His tenure as BSF chief will continue till 30 September, 2030, which is a relatively long leadership tenure.
• It was formed on 1 December, 1965 as a unified, centrally controlled force to protect India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. First chief: Shri K.F. Rustamji became the first Director General.
• Motto - "Duty Unto Death" or in Hindi "Jeevan Paryant Kartavya".

Rakesh Agrawal - New Director General of NIA

• The central government has appointed senior IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre of 1994 batch Rakesh Agrawal as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) till 31 August, 2028. He has extensive experience in anti-terrorism operations, at a time when India is strengthening its internal security leadership.
• The National Investigation Agency was established in the year 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks. The motto is "Rashtraraksanam Adyakartavyam", which means "Protection of the nation is the first duty"; this motto was officially introduced in November, 2024.