New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Aggarwal as the interim Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This decision comes after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Vasant Date, to his parent cadre in Maharashtra.
MHA Issues Official Order
According to the Office Memorandum issued late Monday night, Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will hold additional charge as NIA DG until a full-time incumbent is appointed or until further orders.
The MHA described the move as an administrative measure to maintain continuity and stability in the NIA while the government initiates the process to select a permanent chief.
Background of Rakesh Aggarwal
Rakesh Aggarwal hails from Haryana and has an impressive educational and professional background:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Mechanical Engineering
- Postgraduate Degree: Master’s in Management
- IPS Cadre: Himachal Pradesh, 1994 batch
Prior to this interim appointment, Aggarwal was serving as Special Director General (Special DG) of the NIA, a post he assumed on September 29, 2025, on an in-situ basis after temporarily being upgraded from his Additional Director General (ADG) rank.
Distinguished Career and Key Postings
Aggarwal has served in a variety of high-profile positions, demonstrating expertise in counter-terrorism, internal security, and complex investigations:
- National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Special DG: September 29, 2025, in-situ promotion
- Additional DG: Joined central deputation in July 2024
Himachal Pradesh Police
- Director General of Home Guards: Prior to central deputation
Served in multiple capacities within the state police
Other Central Deputations
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Joint Director, multiple extensions, including a significant one in 2022
- Border Security Force (BSF): Inspector General (IG) of Guwahati Frontier
- National Security Guard (NSG): Operational experience in elite counter-terror operations
Throughout his career, Aggarwal has handled cases involving terror financing, radicalization networks, and cross-border criminal activities. He is recognized for his management skills and ability to function effectively under extreme pressure.
Leadership Transition in NIA
The appointment follows the ACC-approved premature repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, to his home cadre. Date is expected to assume the post of DGP of Maharashtra after the incumbent Rashmi Shukla completes her tenure on December 31, 2025.
Rakesh Aggarwal’s interim appointment is intended to ensure that the NIA continues to function smoothly and that ongoing investigations, especially those involving national security, remain uninterrupted.
Significance of the Appointment
- Reinforces administrative stability during a leadership transition.
- Places a seasoned counter-terrorism and internal security expert at the helm of the NIA.
- Ensures continuity in handling high-profile terror-related and cross-border cases.
Experts in law enforcement have noted that Aggarwal’s experience and track record make him well-suited to manage the agency during this interim period, while a permanent DG is selected.
Career Highlights
- Special DG, NIA
- ADG, NIA
- DG Home Guards, Himachal Pradesh
- IG, BSF Guwahati Frontier
- Joint Director, CBI
- Operational experience with NSG
Aggarwal is widely recognized for his expertise in high-profile investigations, leadership in security operations, and professional integrity.
