New Delhi: In a significant reshuffle at the top level of the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved three key appointments to head some of the country’s most important policing institutions. The appointments, cleared on the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will bring new leadership to the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 6, 2026, senior IPS officers Alok Kumar Mittal (HY:1993), Amit Garg (AP:1993) and Sujeet Pandey (UP:1994) have been appointed to these prestigious posts.
The appointments are expected to strengthen national institutions responsible for police modernisation, crime data management, technology-driven policing and the training of future police leadership.
Alok Kumar Mittal Appointed Director General of BPR&D
Senior IPS officer Alok Kumar Mittal (IPS:1993:HY) has been appointed as the Director General, Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).
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He will assume charge in the Level-16 pay scale from the date of joining and continue in the post until his superannuation on June 30, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The BPR&D functions as the Government of India’s premier institution for police reforms, modernization, research, policy development, training standards and capacity building. It plays a crucial role in introducing technological innovations, improving policing practices and supporting evidence-based policy formulation for law enforcement agencies across the country.
With decades of policing experience, Mittal is expected to lead initiatives aimed at modernising police forces and strengthening research-driven policing in India.
Amit Garg Named Director of National Crime Records Bureau
The ACC has appointed Amit Garg (IPS:1993:AP) as the new Director, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Mr Garg is currently serving as Director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.
Notably, the post of Director, NCRB has been temporarily upgraded to the level of Director General on a personal basis for his appointment.
He will remain in office until October 31, 2027, the date of his superannuation, or until further orders.
Mr Garg succeeds Alok Ranjan (IPS:1991:MP), who was heading the NCRB.
The NCRB is India’s central repository of crime statistics and criminal databases. It manages several critical digital policing platforms, including the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO), the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) and numerous other technology-based policing initiatives.
His appointment is expected to further strengthen digital policing, crime analytics, cybercrime monitoring and technology integration across Indian police forces.
Sujeet Pandey to Head National Police Academy
Senior IPS officer Sujeet Pandey (IPS:1994:UP) has been appointed as the new Director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).
He will hold the Level-16 post from the date of assumption of charge until his retirement on July 31, 2028, or until further orders.
Pandey succeeds Amit Garg, who moves to head the NCRB.
The SVPNPA, headquartered in Hyderabad, is India’s apex police training institution responsible for training IPS probationers and conducting advanced professional programmes for senior police officers from across the country and friendly foreign nations.
His appointment comes at a time when policing is increasingly focusing on technology, cybercrime, forensic sciences, leadership development and community policing.
Appointments Approved by ACC
The appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated June 29, 2026.
The formal order was issued by Annies Kanmani Joy, Director, Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Department of Personnel and Training.
The order has been circulated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat and other concerned authorities for implementation.
Significance of the Three Institutions
The three organisations headed by the newly appointed IPS officers occupy a central position in India’s policing architecture.
Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D)
BPR&D is responsible for:
- Police modernization
- Research and policy formulation
- Development of policing standards
- Capacity building and training
- Introduction of new technologies
- Police reforms
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
NCRB serves as India’s principal agency for:
- National crime statistics
- Criminal database management
- CCTNS implementation
- Digital policing initiatives
- Crime analytics
- Criminal identification systems
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA)
SVPNPA is the country’s premier institution for:
- Training IPS probationers
- Mid-career training programmes
- Leadership development
- Strategic policing education
- International police cooperation programmes
Fresh Leadership for National Policing Institutions
The appointments are being viewed as an important administrative move aimed at strengthening India’s police research ecosystem, expanding technology-led policing, improving crime data management and enhancing professional training for police officers.
With growing emphasis on artificial intelligence, cybercrime investigations, forensic capabilities, digital governance and evidence-based policing, the leadership of these institutions will play a vital role in shaping the future of law enforcement in India.
