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Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Interim NIA Chief After Premature Repatriation of DG

The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned the additional charge of National Investigation Agency Director General to Special DG Rakesh Aggarwal. This interim appointment follows the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Vasant Date, to his parent cadre. Aggarwal, a seasoned counter-terrorism professional, is expected to provide stability and continuity in leadership. The move comes as the NIA oversees several sensitive probes involving terrorism and national security.

Key Points: Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Interim NIA Director General

  • Senior IPS officer gets interim charge
  • Follows premature repatriation of previous DG
  • Ensures leadership continuity
  • Agency handles expanding security mandate
2 min read

MHA assigns additional charge of NIA chief to agency's Special DG Rakesh Aggarwal

MHA assigns additional charge of NIA DG to Special DG Rakesh Aggarwal following the repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date to his parent cadre.

"Assignment of additional charge of the post of DG, NIA to Rakesh Aggarwal... till the appointment of a regular incumbent. - MHA Office Memorandum"

By Rajnish Singh, New Delhi, December 30

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned the additional charge of the National Investigation Agency Director General to senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal following the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Vasant Date, to his parent cadre.

Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, is currently serving as Special Director General of the NIA. He was appointed as the Special Director General of the NIA on September 29, 2025, on an in-situ basis by temporarily upgrading his existing ADG post, for a two-year tenure or until further orders.

As per an Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the MHA on Monday, Aggarwal will now hold the additional charge of NIA chief till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

The MHA's decision came after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the premature repatriation of Date, a 1990-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, to his parent cadre with immediate effect. Date had been serving as the head of the country's premier counter-terrorism investigation agency and was overseeing several sensitive probes linked to terrorism, organised crime, and national security.

"Assignment of additional charge of the post of DG, NIA to Rakesh Aggarwal, IPS(HP:1994), SDG, NIA, upon premature repatriation of Shri Sadanand Vasant Date, IPS(MH:1990) till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier," reads the OM.

Aggarwal's appointment as interim DG is seen as an administrative measure to maintain stability at the agency's helm while the Centre initiates the process to appoint a full-time Director General.

Aggarwal is regarded as a seasoned counter-terrorism and internal security professional with extensive experience in handling complex investigations. During his tenure at the NIA, he has been associated with several high-profile cases involving terror financing, radicalisation networks, and cross-border linkages. His elevation ensures continuity in leadership at a time when the agency is dealing with an expanding mandate and increasingly sophisticated security challenges.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting. The article doesn't say why Date sir was repatriated prematurely. Hope it's just routine administrative work and not due to any pressure on ongoing investigations. Transparency is important.
A
Aman W
NIA's work is crucial for our national security. As long as the officer is competent and the agency's work against terrorism doesn't slow down, it's fine. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
Reading this from abroad. It's reassuring to see India has a dedicated agency for counter-terrorism. Hope this transition is smooth and they continue their important work.
K
Karthik V
Officers from Himachal cadre often have a good reputation for integrity. Wishing Shri Rakesh Aggarwal all the best. The nation is counting on you to keep us safe from cross-border threats.
N
Nikhil C
With the expanding mandate mentioned, hope the agency gets more resources too. Fighting terror financing and radicalisation needs a modern approach and full government backing.

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