The central government has appointed Anish Dayal Singh, a retired IPS officer and former Director General of the CRPF, as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Deputy NSA). Singh, aged 60, will work closely under NSA Ajit Doval, reinforcing India’s national security framework with his considerable experience.
A Career of Service: From IPS Cadre to Paramilitary Chief
A 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre, Anish Dayal Singh was born in 1964 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. After training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, he began his career in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), serving nearly three decades before advancing to leading roles.
Anish Dayal Singh’s deep experience in internal security includes leadership of two major Indian paramilitary forces:
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), as DG from January 2024 to December 2024
Key Accomplishments as CRPF Chief
During his tenure as CRPF chief, Anish Dayal Singh made substantial operational improvements:
- Deployed four new battalions and established over 30 forward operating bases in left-wing extremism–affected regions.
- Strategically realigned 130 battalions, reducing the average distance between field units and home centers from 1,200 km to 500 km—improving efficiency and troop welfare.
- Introduced “samvaad” dialogues with company commanders and assistant commandants to incorporate insights from the ground.
- Oversaw CRPF’s pivotal security operations during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the first assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir after reorganization.
What the New Role Entails
As Deputy NSA, Anish Dayal Singh will have a critical mandate focusing on internal security—covering threats such as left-wing extremism, insurgency in the Northeast, and unrest in Jammu & Kashmir. His appointment aims to build a strong bridge between ground-level intelligence and strategic policymaking.
He joins a seasoned security team that includes former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna (Additional NSA), retired IPS officer T.V. Ravichandran, and former IFS officer Pawan Kapoor in deputy NSA roles.
Strategic and Legal Significance of His Appointment
| Implication | Details |
|---|---|
| Strengthening National Security | Anish Dayal Singh brings decades of experience in counter-insurgency, force management, and electoral security to the NSA’s office. |
| Law Enforcement Policies | His background offers insights into reshaping internal security paradigms and paramilitary operations. |
| Institutional Reforms | Anish Dayal Singh may advocate for reforms within CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces), including welfare measures and promotion policies. |
| Interagency Coordination | ‘His deep understanding of IB, ITBP, and CRPF operations will help strengthen coordination between intelligence and enforcement agencies. |
Closing Analysis
Anish Dayal Singh’s elevation to Deputy NSA aligns with the government’s drive to consolidate leadership roles with seasoned law enforcement veterans. With ongoing threats ranging from insurgency to cybersecurity risks, his comprehensive experience in field operations, strategy, and institutional reform positions him as a key architect in India’s evolving internal security landscape.
This appointment marks not just a career peak for Singh but also underscores India’s ambition to unify its security apparatus under capable, operationally seasoned leadership.
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