Anish Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA to PM

In a strategic move to bolster India’s national security leadership, the government has appointed Anish Dayal Singh, a seasoned 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre, as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 60-year-old former CRPF chief will report directly to NSA Ajit Doval, strengthening the security framework with his extensive experience in internal security, intelligence, and border management.

Who Is Anish Dayal Singh?

Background and Early Career

Born in 1964 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Singh joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1988 and was trained at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. He began his career in Manipur, a state marked by insurgency challenges, providing him with ground-level exposure to counter-insurgency operations early on.

Shift to Central Security Agencies

In the early 2000s, Singh was deputed to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), where he handled key strategic and intelligence roles. His performance in the IB laid the groundwork for higher responsibilities in central paramilitary forces.

Key Roles and Contributions

Leadership of ITBP and CRPF

Anish Dayal Singh headed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) before taking charge of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in December 2023. The CRPF, India’s largest paramilitary force, plays a critical role in internal security, anti-Naxal operations, and election security.

Major Initiatives in CRPF

Counter-Naxal Push: Singh oversaw the creation of over 36 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Naxal-affected zones and raised four new battalions with 4,000+ personnel deployed in Chhattisgarh.

• Election Security: The CRPF under his leadership ensured the safe conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the first assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Force Restructuring: Led a massive realignment of 130+ battalions to improve troop rotation, logistics, and family welfare. The realignment reduced the average distance between units and base centres from 1,200 km to 500 km.
• ‘Samvaad’ Sessions: Initiated dialogue-based feedback mechanisms with junior officers to improve operational morale and decision-making.

Strategic Significance of the Appointment

Enhancing National Security Architecture

As Deputy NSA, Singh’s appointment adds strength to India’s multi-tiered national security advisory system, particularly in areas of,

• Internal security and counter-insurgency
• Paramilitary force management and restructuring
• Border and election security planning
• Inter-agency coordination

His field experience combined with strategic acumen positions him as a key advisor in shaping India’s internal and regional security policies.