Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced a series of senior-level police appointments and administrative reshuffles, assigning key responsibilities to several top-ranking Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.
Among the major appointments, Director General of Police (DGP) rank officer Seema Agrawal has been named Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Fire Commission ahead of her retirement from service on June 30, 2026.
The government also appointed DGP Sandeep Mittal as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), while Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) R. Dhinakaran has been posted as ADGP, Armed Reserve.
Seema Agrawal Appointed Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Fire Commission
Seema Agrawal, who currently serves as Director of Fire and Rescue Services, will head the Tamil Nadu Fire Commission following the latest administrative orders issued by the state government.
The appointment comes just days before her scheduled retirement from service at the end of June.
A senior-most IPS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Agrawal has served in several important policing and administrative positions during her distinguished career spanning more than three decades.
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Who Is IPS Seema Agrawal?
Seema Agrawal is a 1990-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre and is among the state’s most respected senior police officers.
Born on June 17, 1966, in Rajasthan, she entered the IPS through the UPSC Civil Services Examination and has since built an extensive career marked by leadership, administrative reforms, and public service.
Educational Background
Agrawal holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Electrical Engineering, a qualification that has complemented her analytical and administrative capabilities throughout her policing career.
Career Highlights
Over the years, she has held several prominent assignments across Tamil Nadu Police and associated agencies.
Some of her notable positions include:
- Director General of Police and Director of Fire and Rescue Services
- DGP, Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
- Chairman, Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB)
- Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)
Her assignments have covered law enforcement, recruitment, public safety, fire services administration, and regulation of essential commodities.
Leadership in Fire and Rescue Services
In April 2025, Seema Agrawal was appointed Director of Fire and Rescue Services after the retirement of DGP Abhash Kumar.
As head of the department, she oversaw firefighting operations, disaster response preparedness, rescue management, and modernisation initiatives aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities across Tamil Nadu.
Her appointment as Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Fire Commission is being viewed as a continuation of her association with the state’s fire and rescue administration.
Advocate of Ethical Governance and Women’s Empowerment
Throughout her career, Agrawal has been recognized for promoting ethical policing, transparent governance, and professional integrity within the police force.
She has frequently spoken about the importance of clean governance, accountability, and eliminating corruption from public administration.
She is also regarded as a strong advocate of women’s empowerment within uniformed services and has encouraged greater participation of women in leadership positions across policing and public administration.
Prestigious National Honours
In recognition of her distinguished service, Seema Agrawal has received several prestigious awards from the Government of India.
These include:
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2014)
- Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2006)
The awards acknowledge her contributions to policing, public administration, and public safety.
Sandeep Mittal Appointed TNUSRB Chairman
In another significant appointment, DGP Sandeep Mittal has been posted as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB).
The TNUSRB plays a crucial role in recruiting personnel for multiple uniformed services in the state, including:
- Tamil Nadu Police
- Fire and Rescue Services
- Prison Department
As Chairman, Mittal will oversee recruitment processes, examinations, selection procedures, and manpower planning for the state’s uniformed services.
The appointment is expected to contribute to maintaining transparency and efficiency in the recruitment system.
R. Dhinakaran Named ADGP, Armed Reserve
The state government has also appointed Additional Director General of Police R. Dhinakaran as ADGP, Armed Reserve.
In his new role, Dhinakaran will be responsible for supervising the administration, deployment, and operational management of the Armed Reserve wing of the Tamil Nadu Police.
The Armed Reserve plays a vital role in law-and-order management, election duties, special security operations, and emergency deployments across the state.
Significant Reshuffle in Senior Police Leadership
The latest appointments are part of a broader administrative exercise aimed at strengthening leadership across key police and public safety institutions in Tamil Nadu.
With Seema Agrawal moving to head the Fire Commission, Sandeep Mittal taking charge of the TNUSRB, and R. Dhinakaran assuming responsibility for the Armed Reserve, the state government has entrusted experienced officers with critical assignments in policing, recruitment, and emergency services.
The reshuffle comes at a time when Tamil Nadu continues to focus on modernization of police infrastructure, strengthening disaster response mechanisms, and enhancing transparency in recruitment processes for its uniformed services.
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