Centre Appoints Rakesh Aggarwal as New Director General of NIA

The Union government has announced key leadership appointments in India’s internal security framework. Senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Investigation Agency. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen counter-terrorism and national security institutions. Alongside this, changes were also made at the helm of ITBP and BSF.

Why in News?

The Centre has appointed senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with tenure approved till his retirement in August 2028.

Appointment of Rakesh Aggarwal as NIA Chief

• The National Investigation Agency will now be headed by Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre.
• Before this formal appointment, Aggarwal was serving as Special Director General in the agency and was also holding additional charge as DG, NIA.
• His elevation ensures continuity in leadership at India’s premier counter-terrorism body, which handles sensitive cases related to terrorism, extremism, and national security.

Tenure and Approval Process

• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). According to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Aggarwal will serve as DG, NIA till August 31, 2028, which marks the date of his superannuation.
• Such appointments at the level of Director General are crucial for maintaining institutional stability, especially in agencies dealing with long-term investigations against terror networks, including global extremist organisations.

Significance of the NIA Leadership

• The NIA plays a central role in investigating offences related to terrorism, terror financing, and activities of banned organizations such as ISIS.
• Strong leadership is essential for coordinating with state police forces, intelligence agencies, and international counterparts.
• Aggarwal’s experience within the NIA is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, continuity in policy direction, and effective prosecution of terror-related cases.

Other Key Appointments in Security Forces

• Along with the NIA appointment, the Centre also announced leadership changes in other Central Armed Police Forces. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer, has been appointed as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police till October 31, 2026.
• Meanwhile, Praveen Kumar, the outgoing ITBP chief, has been appointed as the new Director General of the Border Security Force, with tenure lasting until September 30, 2030.

About National Investigation Agency

• The National Investigation Agency was established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks.
• It functions as a central agency to investigate terror-related offences across states without requiring special permission.
• The DG of NIA plays a crucial role in guiding investigations, inter-agency coordination, and strengthening India’s counter-terror architecture.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. Who has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency in January 2026?

A. Praveen Kumar
B. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor
C. Rakesh Aggarwal
D. Anil Chauhan