After Pankaj Kumar Singh retired in December 2022, the famed Border Security Force (BSF) in the nation went five months without a leader before receiving one on Sunday. The change occurred after a late-night decision by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to endorse the nomination of Nitin Agarwal as the next Director General of the BSF.

The Border Security Force is the nation’s top security organisation, and in addition to performing various internal security-related tasks, it is principally responsible for guarding the 4,096 km international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Over 2.65 lakh people are employed by the BSF in a variety of roles. Sujoy Lal Thaosen, DG of the CRPF, has been overseeing the BSF for the past five months.

MORE ABOUT NITIN AGARWAL

Nitin Agarwal is a Kerala cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch. He is currently posted as the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) Additional Director General of Operations. While working with the ITBP, he was promoted to the rank of ADG in 2014. Agarwal received his B-Tech (1983-1987) and M. Tech (1987-1989) degrees from IIT Delhi and enjoys playing tennis.

He has held positions such as IG Training at ITBP, IG Sashastra Seema Bal, and ADG-Police with Kerala Police. During his early career, he also worked as an Assistant Engineer for the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers.

DoPT APPOINTMENT ORDER

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the appointment of Shri Nitin Agarwal, IPS, presently working as Additional DG, CRPF as Director General, Border Security Force (BSF) with pay at Level-16 of the Pay Matrix from the date of joining the post and up to 31.07.2026 i.e. date of his superannuation or till further orders whichever is earlier,” the appointment order reads. If no extension is granted, Agarwa will retire as DG-BSF in 2026.