Who Is Anish Dayal Singh? Former CRPF DG Appointed Deputy National Security Advisor

Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 14:02 IST

A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre, Singh retired from service in December 2024 after a career spanning more than three decades

Former CRPF DG Anish Dayal Singh | Image: File

Veteran police officer and former CRPF chief Anish Dayal Singh has been appointed as the new Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA), officials confirmed on Sunday.

A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre, Singh retired from service in December 2024 after a career spanning more than three decades.

Before leading two of India’s largest paramilitary forces — the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) — Singh spent nearly 30 years in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), honing expertise in counter-insurgency and internal security.

Role As Deputy NSA

In his new assignment, Singh will oversee internal affairs, including security in Jammu and Kashmir, the fight against Left-Wing Extremism, and insurgency in the Northeast, reported news agency PTI, citing sources.

He joins a team that already includes former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna as Additional NSA, and two other deputy NSAs — retired IPS officer T.V. Ravichandran and former diplomat Pawan Kapoor.

Tenure As CRPF Chief

As Director General of the CRPF, Singh spearheaded several initiatives aimed at reshaping the force’s operational capabilities:

• Expanded CRPF’s presence in Maoist-affected areas by establishing more than three dozen forward operating bases and raising four new battalions.
• Oversaw crucial security deployments during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir post-reorganisation.
• Carried out the first major realignment of 130 battalions in eight years, reducing the distance between battalion headquarters and their home centres from 1,200 km to 500 km — a move aimed at improving efficiency and giving personnel more “family time."
• Introduced “Samvaad" sessions with company commanders to gather grassroots feedback, a practice that earned praise within the force.

Policy Push For Paramilitary Forces

Beyond field operations, Singh is credited with championing a policy granting honorary ranks to retiring Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, a proposal later cleared by the Union government.

The policy, meant to address stagnation in promotions — with some constables waiting nearly two decades for an elevation — was first initiated by Singh during his leadership tenure.

Officials say his new role as Deputy NSA is expected to draw heavily on this mix of field command experience, organisational reforms, and intelligence background, making him a key figure in shaping India’s internal security strategy.

Ronit Singh

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...Read More

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...

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August 24, 2025, 14:02 IST

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