New Delhi: The Union Government has appointed former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Aneesh Dayal Singh as the Deputy National Security Advisor (Dy NSA). A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre, Singh has held key leadership positions in India’s internal security apparatus, including Director General (DG) roles at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Key Appointment in National Security Framework
Mr Singh, who retired as the DG of CRPF on December 31, 2024, will now assist National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in shaping and implementing India’s national security strategy. His appointment was officially notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In his new role, Singh will be primarily responsible for overseeing internal security matters, including Jammu & Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE or Naxalism), and insurgency in the Northeast.
Extensive Experience Across Security Agencies
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Singh served across various critical arms of the Indian security establishment-
30 years in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), contributing to national intelligence operations and threat assessments.
- Director General of CRPF, India’s largest paramilitary force.
- Head of ITBP, which guards the India-China border.
- DG (Additional Charge) of SSB, which secures India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
- Appointed as DG (Additional Charge) of NSG, India’s elite counter-terrorism and special operations force.
This rich experience across both internal and border security domains is expected to bolster his contribution in the Deputy NSA role.
Personal Background
Born in 1964 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Aneesh Dayal Singh joined the Indian Police Service in 1988. He trained at the prestigious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. His brother, Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh, has served as a judge in the Allahabad High Court.
Role and Responsibilities as Deputy NSA
As Deputy NSA, Singh’s responsibilities will include-
- Formulating national security strategy in coordination with key stakeholders.
- Assessing emerging threats, including cybercrime, terrorism, and data security breaches.
- Enhancing inter-agency coordination among intelligence, law enforcement, and defence agencies.
- Spearheading internal security policy execution across sensitive regions, particularly J&K, Naxal-affected zones, and the Northeast.
IPS Singh’s appointment comes at a time of increasing complexity in India’s internal security landscape, and his vast administrative and operational experience is expected to bring significant value to the NSA’s office.
