New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Sanjay A. Lathkar, a 1995-batch IPS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, as Director General (Security) in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The appointment was approved on September 15, 2026. Lathkar will hold the post at Level 16 of the Pay Matrix until his superannuation on September 30, 2028.
The appointment has been made by temporarily upgrading the existing post of Inspector General (Security), DAE, from Level 14 to Level 16 in the Pay Matrix.
Lathkar had earlier been appointed Inspector General (Security), DAE, in the rank and pay of Additional Director General (ADG) on February 10, 2026, with the tenure extending until his superannuation in September 2028.
The Department of Atomic Energy currently lists Dr. Sanjay A. Lathkar as Additional D.G. (Security) in its Centralized Security Section, while the department’s Crisis Management Group also lists him as ADG (Security), DAE.
A Key Security Role in the Atomic Energy Sector
As the senior officer overseeing security in the Department of Atomic Energy, Lathkar’s responsibilities relate to the protection of sensitive facilities and infrastructure under the department.
The security function assumes particular importance given the nature of DAE’s activities, which span nuclear power, atomic research, strategic technologies and associated infrastructure.
The department’s responsibilities include India’s nuclear-energy programme and a wide range of applications of atomic energy. The Government has also set a target of reaching 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 as part of its Nuclear Energy Mission.
The security of such installations involves protection against a range of potential threats and requires coordination between specialised security arrangements and other agencies.
Lathkar’s appointment therefore places his extensive experience in policing, counter-insurgency and internal security within a specialised central-government security framework.
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Who Is IPS Sanjay A. Lathkar?
Sanjay Anandrao Lathkar is a 1995-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Jharkhand cadre.
Born on September 5, 1968, in Nanded, Maharashtra, Lathkar has built a career spanning more than three decades in policing and internal security.
His academic background is also notable. He holds an M.Tech in Environmental Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, which he completed in 1992. His educational and professional credentials also include qualifications and training associated with law, management, cybercrime, human rights and criminal justice.
His combination of technical education and policing experience has been reflected in the diverse assignments he has handled during his career.
Extensive Experience Across Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra
Lathkar’s early and middle-career postings included several important policing assignments in the erstwhile unified Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
He served as Superintendent of Police in multiple districts and handled policing responsibilities in areas with complex law-and-order and security challenges.
His assignments included Bhojpur, Giridih and Jamshedpur, apart from responsibilities in Maharashtra.
In Maharashtra, his career included assignments such as SP Latur, Additional Commissioner of Police, Pune, and DIG of the Anti-Terrorism Squad.
These field assignments gave him experience in district policing, urban policing, counter-terrorism and broader internal-security operations.
Experience in Anti-Naxal and Internal Security Operations
Lathkar also served in specialised operational roles involving the Central Reserve Police Force and security operations in sensitive areas.
His career included DIG and IG-level responsibilities connected with anti-Naxal and internal-security operations in areas such as Gadchiroli and Ranchi.
He subsequently served as ADG (Operations and Law & Order) in Jharkhand, handling responsibilities involving policing operations and maintenance of law and order.
His experience in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism and other security challenges is particularly relevant to his later assignments in specialised security organisations.
From DAE IG (Security) to DG (Security)
Lathkar moved into the Department of Atomic Energy’s security establishment before receiving the latest elevation.
He was appointed IG (Security), DAE, in February 2026 in the rank and pay of ADG. The appointment was to continue until his superannuation on September 30, 2028.
His responsibilities subsequently expanded with the September 15, 2026 decision to appoint him as DG (Security).
The ACC order temporarily upgrades the post of IG (Security) from Level 14 to Level 16, allowing Lathkar to occupy the DG-level position until his retirement.
The move represents a continuation of his security responsibilities within the DAE rather than a move to an entirely different organisation.
Role in DAE’s Security Framework
The Department of Atomic Energy has a dedicated Centralized Security Section dealing with security matters across the department.
The DAE’s official website currently lists Lathkar in its security structure and also identifies him as a member of the department’s Crisis Management Group.
His role comes at a time when nuclear energy is receiving increased policy attention in India. The government has outlined plans to substantially expand nuclear-power capacity and has also emphasised the importance of safety, security and safeguards within the country’s civil nuclear framework.
A Career Decorated With Police Medals
Lathkar’s service record includes several awards and commendations.
Among the honours attributed to him are the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, Chief Minister’s Gallantry Medal, Utkrisht Seva Medal and Internal Security Medals.
He has also reportedly received 11 CRPF Director General’s Commendation Discs, apart from numerous other commendations.
His President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service was awarded in 2015, while the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded in 2022.
These honours span different stages of his career and reflect his service across operational policing, internal security and specialised assignments.
An Officer With Interests Beyond Policing
Alongside his policing career, Lathkar has maintained an interest in environmental issues and social initiatives.
He has supported tree-plantation activities and promoted awareness around renewable energy. His interests and involvement have also extended to blood-donation drives, youth sports and educational initiatives for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
He has also been associated with blogging and other public-oriented activities.
His academic background in environmental science and engineering has further complemented his interest in environmental issues.
Sanjay A. Lathkar’s Career at a Glance
Lathkar joined the Indian Police Service as a 1995-batch officer of the Jharkhand cadre and went on to serve in a range of field and senior-level assignments.
His career has included district policing in Bihar and Jharkhand, senior policing responsibilities in Maharashtra, anti-terrorism work, CRPF assignments, anti-Naxal operations and senior leadership in Jharkhand Police.
He later moved into the Department of Atomic Energy’s security establishment, where he served as IG (Security) in the rank and pay of ADG.
With the latest ACC decision, he has now been appointed Director General (Security), DAE, at Level 16, with the appointment continuing until his superannuation on September 30, 2028.
The DAE’s own website confirms his current association with the department’s security and crisis-management structures.
For a police officer whose career has covered conventional policing, counter-insurgency, anti-terrorism and internal security, the DG (Security) assignment marks a further specialised role involving the protection of India’s atomic-energy infrastructure.
