Mahesh Dixit Appointed New IB Chief

New Delhi, Jun 26: The Centre has appointed Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director Mahesh Dixit as the next Director of the country’s premier internal intelligence agency, succeeding Tapan Kumar Deka whose extended tenure ends on June 30.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of Dixit, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, for a two-year term from the date he assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

An order issued by the Ministry of Personnel said the government has granted Dixit an extension in service under the provisions of Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, to enable him to serve as IB Director.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mahesh Dixit, IPS (AP:93), Special Director, Intelligence Bureau as Director, Intelligence Bureau vice Tapan Kumar Deka, IPS (HP:88), for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the order said.

Dixit is currently the second-in-command in the Intelligence Bureau and is regarded as a seasoned intelligence officer with extensive experience in counter-terrorism, internal security and intelligence operations.

Before his posting as Special Director at the IB headquarters in New Delhi, he headed the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the agency’s most critical operational assignments due to the region’s security challenges. He was shifted to the headquarters last year and elevated as the agency’s second-in-command, a move widely seen as preparing him for the top post.

Outgoing IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has headed the agency since July 2022. During his tenure, the Intelligence Bureau strengthened its focus on counter-terrorism, intelligence coordination and emerging security challenges. He received two successive service extensions, reflecting the government’s emphasis on continuity in the country’s intelligence apparatus.

With Dixit’s appointment, the government has entrusted an experienced intelligence officer with leading India’s oldest and foremost internal intelligence agency. (Agencies)