New Delhi: The Central Government has approved the appointment of two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers as Additional Directors General (ADGs) in two major Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
According to orders issued on October 14, 2026, Ashok Yadav, a 1998-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, has been appointed Additional Director General in the BSF, while Rajesh Kumar, a 1998-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed Additional Director General in the ITBP.
Both officers were already serving as Inspectors General in their respective forces on central deputation. Their appointments place them in higher leadership positions within the organisations, with responsibilities associated with operational supervision, administration and force management.
The appointments come after both officers were empanelled earlier this year for holding Additional Director General or equivalent positions at the Centre.
IPS Ashok Yadav Appointed Additional Director General in BSF
Mr Ashok Yadav, a 1998-batch IPS officer belonging to the Kerala cadre, has been appointed Additional Director General in the Border Security Force.
He was serving as Inspector General in the BSF before receiving the latest appointment.
As per the order dated October 14, 2026, his appointment as ADG will be for a period of three years from the date he assumes charge of the post, or up to October 25, 2029, as applicable under the approved tenure.
The appointment is in Level 15 of the pay matrix.
Mr Yadav has served in several senior police positions in Kerala and has experience in central security administration through his deputation to the BSF.
Who Is IPS Ashok Yadav?
Ashok Yadav is a 1998-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Kerala cadre who entered the service through direct recruitment after qualifying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He belongs to Rajasthan and joined the IPS on September 7, 1998.
During his career, he has served in several important police assignments in Kerala before moving to the Border Security Force on central deputation.
His service profile includes:
- Name: Ashok Yadav
- Service: Indian Police Service
- Batch: 1998
- Cadre: Kerala
- Home state: Rajasthan
- Date of joining IPS: September 7, 1998
- IPS identity number: 19981046
- Previous position: Inspector General, BSF
- New position: Additional Director General, BSF
- Approved tenure: Three years from assumption of charge, subject to the October 25, 2029 limit
Ashok Yadav’s Career in Kerala Police and BSF
Before joining the BSF, Mr Yadav held several senior positions in the Kerala Police.
He served as Inspector General of Police, North Zone, where his responsibilities involved supervising police administration and law enforcement across the region.
He also served as Inspector General of Police, Security, in the Kerala government.
Another significant assignment during his state service was Inspector General of Police, Crimes III, Kozhikode.
These positions provided him with experience in field policing, crime administration and security management.
In October 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved his appointment as Inspector General in the Border Security Force on central deputation.
He subsequently continued serving in the force, gaining experience in its administrative and operational structure.
In March 2026, he was empanelled by the Government of India for holding Additional Director General or equivalent positions at the Centre.
His appointment as ADG in October 2026 follows that empanelment.
Ashok Yadav Awarded President’s Police Medal
Mr Yadav was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2025.
The honour recognises distinguished service in policing and reflects his long career in the Indian Police Service.
His latest appointment to the BSF’s senior leadership comes after more than 28 years of service.
IPS Rajesh Kumar Appointed Additional Director General in ITBP
In a separate order issued on October 14, 2026, the Central Government appointed Mr Rajesh Kumar, a 1998-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, as Additional Director General in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Mr Kumar was serving as Inspector General in the ITBP before his appointment to the higher post.
According to the order, he will continue in the ADG position up to his already approved central deputation tenure of five years, ending on September 24, 2030.
The appointment is in Level 15 of the pay matrix.
His elevation comes approximately one year after he was appointed Inspector General in the ITBP on central deputation.
Who Is IPS Rajesh Kumar?
Rajesh Kumar is a senior Indian Police Service officer of the 1998 batch belonging to the Maharashtra cadre.
He is originally from Haryana and entered the IPS through direct recruitment after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree and joined the Indian Police Service on September 7, 1998.
Over the course of his career, he has served in several senior positions in the Maharashtra Police and subsequently moved to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police on central deputation.
His service details include:
- Name: Rajesh Kumar
- Service: Indian Police Service
- Batch: 1998
- Cadre: Maharashtra
- Home state: Haryana
- Educational qualification: Master of Technology (M.Tech)
- Date of joining IPS: September 7, 1998
- IPS identity number: 19981021
- Previous position: Inspector General, ITBP
- New position: Additional Director General, ITBP
- Approved tenure: Up to September 24, 2030
Rajesh Kumar’s Career in Maharashtra Police and ITBP
Mr Kumar has served in various policing and administrative assignments in Maharashtra during his career.
His service in the Maharashtra cadre included senior leadership responsibilities across police districts and commissionerates.
He rose to the rank of Additional Director General in the Maharashtra Police before taking up central deputation.
In September 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved his appointment as Inspector General in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
The appointment was made in Level 14 of the pay matrix for an approved central deputation tenure of five years.
He subsequently assumed responsibilities in the ITBP, which is primarily tasked with guarding India’s border with China and also performs internal security and other duties assigned by the government.
In March 2026, Mr Kumar was empanelled by the Central Government for holding Additional Director General or equivalent posts.
The latest appointment elevates him from Inspector General to Additional Director General within the same force.
Unlike Mr Yadav’s appointment, which specifies a three-year period subject to an outer tenure limit, Mr Kumar’s ADG appointment will continue up to the expiry of his existing approved central deputation tenure on September 24, 2030.
Awards and Honours Received by Rajesh Kumar
Mr Kumar has received recognition for his service in the police force.
According to his available service profile, he received the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2014.
The recognition forms part of his professional record spanning more than 28 years in the Indian Police Service.
His appointment as ADG in the ITBP marks another senior leadership assignment in his career.
Both Officers Were Empanelled for ADG Posts in March 2026
An important common aspect of the two appointments is that both officers belong to the 1998 batch of the Indian Police Service and were empanelled in March 2026 for holding Additional Director General or equivalent positions at the Centre.
Empanelment is part of the Central Government’s process for identifying officers eligible for appointment to senior positions under the applicable service and deputation arrangements.
Both officers were already serving in Central Armed Police Forces at the Inspector General level when the latest orders were issued.
Their appointments therefore represent an elevation within their existing organisations rather than transfers to different forces.
Mr Yadav will continue in the BSF, while Mr Kumar will continue in the ITBP.
BSF and ITBP Strengthen Senior Leadership
The Border Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police are among India’s major Central Armed Police Forces operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The BSF is primarily responsible for guarding India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, besides undertaking other security duties assigned by the government.
The ITBP is primarily responsible for guarding the India-China border and performs additional internal security and specialised duties.
Additional Directors General hold senior leadership positions within these forces and may be assigned major operational, administrative and supervisory responsibilities.
The appointments of Mr Ashok Yadav and Mr Rajesh Kumar add two experienced IPS officers to the ADG-level leadership of the BSF and ITBP.
With both appointments approved on October 14, 2026, the officers will serve in their respective higher positions in accordance with the tenure conditions specified by the Central Government.
