New Delhi: Senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the premier counter-terrorism agency of India. He succeeds Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch Maharashtra cadre officer, who was prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. The appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), is effective from the date he assumes charge and will continue until his superannuation on August 31, 2028, or until further orders.
Transition at NIA Leadership
Mr Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, was already handling the responsibilities of the NIA DG on an additional charge basis since December 31, 2025, following Sadanand Date’s repatriation. His formal appointment ensures administrative stability and continuity of investigations, particularly in sensitive national security cases.
Background of Rakesh Aggarwal
- Batch & Cadre: 1994, Himachal Pradesh
- Education: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s in Management
- Hometown: Haryana
IPS Aggarwal is widely recognized as a seasoned professional in internal security and counter-terrorism, with extensive experience across central and state police organizations.
Career Milestones and Key Postings
National Investigation Agency (NIA):
- Director General (DG): Appointed January 14, 2026
- Special Director General (Special DG): September 29, 2025 (in-situ promotion)
- Additional Director General (ADG): Prior to Special DG, responsible for key operational management
Other Central Deputations and Roles:
- Inspector General (IG), BSF: Guwahati Frontier
- Special Protection Group (SPG): Responsible for PM security
- IG, CRPF: Operational leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Joint Director with multiple extensions, including 2022
- National Security Guard (NSG): Operational experience in elite counter-terror missions
State Service:
- DG, Home Guards, Himachal Pradesh: Leadership prior to central deputation
Professional Expertise
Rakesh Aggarwal has been credited for:
- Handling complex terror investigations, including terror financing and radicalization networks
- Managing cross-border security cases
- Maintaining institutional stability during expanding mandates of the NIA
- Demonstrating strong crisis management skills and effective operational leadership
Experts have highlighted that Aggarwal’s experience and professional integrity make him well-suited to lead India’s premier counter-terrorism agency.
Significance of the Appointment
- Reinforces administrative continuity during leadership transitions
- Places a seasoned counter-terrorism expert at the helm of NIA
- Ensures uninterrupted investigation of high-profile national security and terror cases
Rakesh Aggarwal’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for India’s internal security framework, highlighting the government’s focus on experienced leadership for sensitive national security roles.
Previous DG Sadanand Date
Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, was repatriated to his parent cadre and is expected to take over as DGP of Maharashtra after the incumbent completes her tenure on December 31, 2025.
Career Highlights at a Glance
- DG, NIA (2026–2028)
- Special DG, NIA (2025)
- ADG, NIA
- DG, Home Guards, Himachal Pradesh
- IG, BSF (Guwahati Frontier)
- Joint Director, CBI
Operational postings in NSG and SPG
Rakesh Aggarwal’s distinguished career reflects expertise in counter-terrorism, internal security, and leadership across central and state police organizations.
