From the dusty police stations of Haryana to the icy heights of the Himalayas, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur’s journey has been long, complex, and closely watched. In January 2026, the senior IPS officer took charge as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)-a force that guards India’s most sensitive and challenging frontier with China.
A 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, Kapur succeeds Praveen Kumar, who moved on to head the Border Security Force (BSF). His appointment places him at the helm of a force that operates where oxygen is thin, temperatures plunge below minus 40 degrees, and vigilance cannot slip even for a moment. Kapur will lead the ITBP till October 31, 2026, his date of retirement.
ROOTS, EDUCATION, AND EARLY YEARS
Born on October 21, 1966, in Jind, Haryana, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur hails originally from Phagwara, Punjab. He is an engineer by education, having completed his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Kurukshetra (1983-88 batch).
He joined the Indian Police Service on September 16, 1991, marking the beginning of a career that would span over 34 years across district policing, central agencies, administration, and leadership roles.
CUTTING HIS TEETH IN DISTRICT POLICING
Kapur’s formative years were spent in grassroots policing. He served as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Gurugram and Hisar, followed by stints as Additional SP in Sirsa, Kurukshetra, and Hisar.
In the mid-1990s, he became Superintendent of Police in Bhiwani and later served in Karnal, where he handled highway patrol and road safety. These postings built his image as a firm, no-nonsense officer with a strong command over field operations.
EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE STATE
Kapur’s career extended well beyond Haryana. Between 2002 and 2008, he served with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as Superintendent of Police and Deputy Inspector General, including a key role as Director of the CBI Training Academy.
He also served in a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) during 2001-02, gaining exposure to international peace operations and conflict-zone administration.
FROM POLICING TO POWER SECTOR ADMINISTRATION
In a rare shift, Kapur moved into public sector administration between 2016 and 2021, serving as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Haryana’s power utilities, including the Haryana Power Generation Corporation.
The role expanded his experience beyond policing into governance, infrastructure management, and large-scale administration-skills that later proved useful in senior leadership roles.
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND CRIME MANAGEMENT
Returning to policing, Kapur served as ADGP (Crime) and CID Chief before being appointed Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Haryana from 2021 to 2023.
At the ACB, he led several high-profile corruption investigations, reinforcing his reputation as a tough and efficient officer with a strong focus on accountability and administrative discipline.
AT THE HELM OF HARYANA POLICE
In August 2023, Kapur was appointed Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana. As the state’s top police officer, he was responsible for law and order, crime control, internal security, and police reforms.
His tenure placed him firmly in the public spotlight. He was widely seen as a trusted choice of the state leadership, and his decisions often attracted both praise and criticism-an expected reality for officers at the very top.
CONTROVERSY AND ITS WIDER IMPLICATIONS
In October 2025, Kapur’s name emerged in the investigation following the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The suicide note allegedly raised issues of administrative harassment and discrimination, triggering intense debate within bureaucratic, political, and civil society circles.
An FIR was registered, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted, and Kapur was sent on leave. The case brought renewed attention to workplace stress, institutional processes, and mental health challenges within the police system. The investigation is ongoing, and no final conclusions have been officially declared.
DECORATIONS AND RECOGNITION
Over the years, Kapur has been recognised for his service with:
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2016)
- Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2006)
- UN Peacekeeping Medal (2001)
WHAT THE ITBP DG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
As DG, ITBP, Kapur is responsible for:
- Securing the India-China border
- Preventing cross-border crime and infiltration
- Leading disaster rescue and relief operations in the Himalayas
- Supporting internal security and counter-terrorism efforts
- Strengthening infrastructure and coordination with the Indian Army
ABOUT THE INDO-TIBETAN BORDER POLICE (ITBP)
Raised on October 24, 1962, after the Sino-Indian War, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a specialised force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Known as the “Himveers,” ITBP personnel are deployed at extreme altitudes-from 9,000 to nearly 19,000 feet-often in temperatures as low as -45¬∞C. The force is trained in mountaineering, skiing, and high-altitude warfare, and frequently serves as the first responder during Himalayan disasters.
Apart from border guarding, the ITBP also handles internal security duties, VIP protection, civic action programmes, and specialised operations such as lake and river patrols.
A SHORT TENURE, A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY
Shatrujeet Singh Kapur’s time as DG ITBP may be limited in duration, but the responsibility is immense. Leading a force that stands guard at India’s highest and most sensitive frontier, his tenure will be judged by operational readiness, leadership stability, and institutional confidence-all under the unforgiving conditions of the Himalayas.
