New Delhi: The Central government has approved two important appointments involving Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Shrihari Pandey and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Vivek Gupta, assigning them new responsibilities in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Union government.
Shrihari Pandey, a 2011-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, has been appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the CRPF on central deputation. Meanwhile, Vivek Gupta, a 2008-batch IRS officer from the Customs and Central Excise stream, has been appointed Private Secretary to Union Minister of State Prof. SP Singh Baghel at the Director level.
The appointments were approved through separate orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on October 26 and October 22, 2026, respectively.
IPS Shrihari Pandey Appointed DIG in CRPF
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on October 26 approving the appointment of Shrihari Pandey as Deputy Inspector General in the Central Reserve Police Force.
The appointment has been made on the usual terms and conditions of central deputation.
Before receiving this assignment, Pandey was serving as Special Superintendent in the Intelligence Branch of the West Bengal Police.
His appointment marks a transition from state policing and intelligence responsibilities to a senior leadership position in one of India’s principal Central Armed Police Forces.
The CRPF plays a major role in internal security, counter-insurgency operations, anti-Naxal operations, election security and assisting state administrations in maintaining law and order.
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Who Is IPS Shrihari Pandey?
Shrihari Pandey is a 2011-batch Indian Police Service officer belonging to the West Bengal cadre. Originally from Bihar, he was born in 1980 and entered the IPS as a direct recruit on August 29, 2011.
He completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calcutta between 1999 and 2002, followed by a Master of Public Administration from Kurukshetra University between 2002 and 2004.
He also pursued a master’s degree in Police Management from Osmania University during the early years of his policing career.
Over approximately 15 years in the IPS, Pandey has held assignments involving district policing, urban law enforcement, police administration and intelligence.
Career in West Bengal Police
During his career in West Bengal, Pandey served in several field and administrative positions.
Among his earlier assignments were Deputy Commissioner, Kolkata Armed Police, 3rd Battalion, and Deputy Commissioner, North Zone, under the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate.
He also served briefly as Superintendent of Police in Diamond Harbour.
These postings provided experience in urban policing, law-and-order management and district-level administration.
One of his important district assignments came in February 2024, when he took charge as Superintendent of Police of Kalimpong.
He continued in the position until January 2026, overseeing policing in the strategically located hill district of northern West Bengal.
During his tenure, the district police organised community outreach activities, including sports-related programmes intended to strengthen interaction between the police and local residents.
Intelligence Branch Posting Before Central Deputation
Following his Kalimpong assignment, Pandey was posted as Special Superintendent in the Intelligence Branch of the West Bengal Police in January 2026.
The assignment placed him in a specialised policing wing responsible for intelligence collection, assessment and coordination.
His move to the CRPF now gives him an opportunity to apply his experience in field policing and intelligence-related work at the central level.
As a DIG, an officer may be entrusted with responsibilities involving operational supervision, administrative management, personnel deployment and coordination, depending on the specific posting.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has not specified the particular CRPF formation or location to which Pandey will be assigned.
IRS Vivek Gupta Appointed Private Secretary to SP Singh Baghel
In a separate appointment, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Vivek Gupta, a 2008-batch IRS officer of the Customs and Central Excise stream, as Private Secretary to Minister of State Prof. SP Singh Baghel.
Baghel serves as Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj.
According to the DoPT Office Memorandum dated October 22, 2026, Gupta has been appointed at the Director level in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
His approved tenure extends up to October 31, 2029, subject to the applicable conditions.
The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge and will remain subject to the maximum permissible period of seven years outside his cadre in a single stint, co-termination with the Minister, cessation of his duties as Private Secretary or further government orders, whichever occurs earliest.
The ACC has also approved the curtailment of his tenure as Director in the Department of Financial Services under the Central Staffing Scheme to facilitate his new assignment.
Who Is IRS Vivek Gupta?
Vivek Gupta is a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service officer belonging to the Customs and Central Excise stream, now associated with Customs and Indirect Taxes administration.
Born on June 28, 1981, he entered Group A service on September 1, 2008.
He reportedly secured All India Rank 193 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Over his career, Gupta has served in revenue administration and subsequently held important assignments under the Central Staffing Scheme.
His professional background includes experience in indirect tax administration and policymaking-related roles in Union government departments.
Career in Ministry of Culture and Department of Financial Services
Gupta’s central deputation career includes assignments in the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Financial Services.
In October 2022, he was appointed Director in the Ministry of Culture under the Central Staffing Scheme.
He subsequently moved to the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.
In February 2024, the ACC approved his appointment as Director in the Department of Financial Services, and he assumed charge on March 1, 2024.
The department deals with policy and administrative matters concerning banking, insurance, financial institutions and financial inclusion.
His tenure in the department was curtailed following the approval of his appointment as Private Secretary to the Union Minister of State.
What Will Vivek Gupta’s New Role Involve?
As Private Secretary to Prof. SP Singh Baghel, Gupta will assist the Minister in managing official work, coordinating with government departments and handling administrative communication.
The Private Secretary plays an important role in facilitating the flow of information between a minister’s office and the departments concerned.
The position also involves coordinating official meetings, reviewing communications and ensuring timely follow-up on matters requiring the Minister’s attention.
Gupta’s appointment in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying places him in a ministry dealing with livestock development, dairy sector policies, animal health and programmes supporting rural livelihoods.
His experience in central government administration is expected to be relevant to his new responsibilities.
Two Officers Take Up Different Central Responsibilities
Although the appointments concern different services and responsibilities, both reflect the movement of experienced civil servants into important central government positions.
For Shrihari Pandey, the CRPF assignment represents a shift from West Bengal Police to a national-level internal security organisation.
For Vivek Gupta, the appointment marks a transition from a departmental Director-level position to a ministerial office, where administrative coordination and policy follow-up will form important parts of his responsibilities.
Both appointments will take effect in accordance with the conditions specified in their respective government orders.
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