New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for granting the Apex pay scale (Level-17 in the pay matrix) to two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of the 1992 batch. The decision recognizes their seniority, experience, and the critical national security responsibilities they currently hold.
The officers approved for the Apex scale are –
- B Srinivasan (IPS: 1992: Bihar) – Director General, National Security Guard (NSG)
- Sapna Tewari (IPS: 1992: Odisha) – Special Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB)
The Apex pay scale, the highest level in the government pay matrix, is typically granted to officers holding the most senior leadership positions in the country’s security and intelligence architecture.
B Srinivasan Granted Apex Scale as DG of NSG
Current Role and Appointment
Brighu Srinivasan, commonly known as B Srinivasan, is a senior IPS officer of the 1992 batch from the Bihar cadre. He is currently serving as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), India’s elite counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue force, widely known as the “Black Cats.”
He was appointed as DG, NSG on August 27, 2024, and his tenure is scheduled to continue until his superannuation on August 31, 2027.
Key Career Highlights
Before assuming leadership of the NSG, B Srinivasan served as the Director of the Bihar Police Academy in Rajgir, where he was involved in training and capacity building of police personnel.
Within the Bihar cadre, he has held several critical operational and administrative positions over the years. In February 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Director General (DG), marking a significant milestone in his career.
Succession at NSG
B Srinivasan took over the reins of the NSG from Anish Dayal Singh, DG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who had been holding additional charge of the elite force. The arrangement followed the reassignment of the previous NSG chief, Nalin Prabhat, to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Biographical Details
- Date of Birth: August 16, 1967
- IPS Batch & Cadre: 1992, Bihar
- Retirement Date: August 31, 2027
With the ACC’s approval, his post as DG, NSG now formally carries the Apex pay scale (Level-17).
Sapna Tewari Gets Apex Scale as Special Director, IB
Present Assignment
Sapna Tewari, a senior IPS officer of the 1992 batch from the Odisha cadre, is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India’s premier internal intelligence agency.
She was appointed to the post of Special Director in April 2024 on an in-situ basis, initially at Level-16 of the pay matrix. The ACC’s latest approval upgrades her to the Apex pay scale (Level-17).
Professional Background and Career Path
Prior to her elevation as Special Director, Sapna Tewari served as an Additional Director in the Intelligence Bureau, handling sensitive intelligence and internal security-related assignments.
Her earlier field postings include –
- Assistant Director (AX), Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Lucknow
- Posting in Bangalore in an intelligence role
In August 2023, she was transferred to AX Training within the Intelligence Bureau, contributing to training and capacity development of intelligence officers.
Empanelment and Seniority
In recognition of her experience and service record, Sapna Tewari was empanelled for Director General (DG) and equivalent posts in the Government of India in February 2024, making her eligible for the highest leadership roles in central services.
Personal and Service Profile
- Date of Birth: April 28, 1966
- IPS Batch & Cadre: 1992, Odisha (formerly Orissa)
- Retirement Date: April 30, 2026
The grant of the Apex pay scale comes shortly before her scheduled superannuation, reflecting her senior status and contributions to India’s intelligence framework.
Significance of the ACC Decision
The approval of the Apex pay scale for both officers underscores the government’s recognition of the strategic importance of leadership roles in counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies. The decision aligns their pay status with the level of responsibility associated with heading or serving at the top echelons of national security institutions.
