New Delhi: Senior IPS officer Praveen Kumar (1993 batch, West Bengal cadre), currently serving as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been assigned the additional charge of Director General, Border Security Force (BSF).
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order ahead of the superannuation of Daljit Singh Chaudhary (IPS: 1990: UP), the current BSF chief, who retires on 30 November 2025. Kumar will hold the position until the appointment of a regular DG or until further orders.
Dual Leadership Role for a Key Security Veteran
Praveen Kumar brings with him decades of leadership in national security and intelligence. Before taking over as DG ITBP, he served as Special Director and Additional Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), one of India’s most critical intelligence arms under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He was recently elevated to the rank of Special Director, reflecting his strategic expertise, operational experience, and long-standing service record.
Mr Kumar will continue to head ITBP until his own superannuation on 30 September 2030, unless further orders are issued.
Read also: Who Is Senior IFS Dr Hifzur Rahman? The Officer Appointed India’s New Ambassador to Libya
BSF Leadership Transition: Ensuring Operational Continuity
The appointment ensures a smooth transition at the BSF, the country’s largest border guarding force, responsible for securing the volatile India–Pakistan and India–Bangladesh borders.
With challenges such as –
- cross-border infiltration,
- narcotics trafficking,
- drone surveillance threats, and
- emerging hybrid warfare tactics,
a seamless leadership shift is crucial to maintaining border stability.
About the Border Security Force (BSF)
Founded in 1965 after the Indo-Pak war, the BSF is –
- India’s primary border guarding force along Pakistan and Bangladesh,
- one of the largest CAPFs,
tasked with preventing trans-border crimes, smuggling, and infiltration.
In addition, the BSF undertakes –
- counterinsurgency operations,
- internal security duties,
- counterterrorism support, and
- disaster response deployments.
The force plays a pivotal role in strengthening India’s border management architecture.
About the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
The ITBP was formed in 1962 following the Sino-Indian conflict and is responsible for guarding India’s 3,488 km long border with China. Known as the “Himveers” (Snow Warriors), ITBP personnel are trained in
- high-altitude warfare,
- mountain survival,
- skiing and icecraft,
- disaster response, and
- specialized border surveillance.
They operate in some of the world’s harshest terrains, often at altitudes above 15,000 feet, making them one of the most elite mountain forces globally.
