Who is Mahesh Dixit? 1993 IPS officer appointed as new Intelligence Bureau chief, succeeds Tapan Kumar Deka | Today’s news
The Center on Thursday appointed Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director Mahesh Dixit as the next chief of the country’s premier domestic intelligence agency.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Dixit’s appointment for a two-year term. He currently serves as the second-highest officer in the Armed Forces.
According to an order issued by the personnel ministry, Dixit will serve as director of the intelligence agency for a period of two years from the date he takes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The government has also approved the extension of his service under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death with Pension) Rules, 1958, allowing him to continue in service while heading the Intelligence Service.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Mahesh Dixit, IPS (AP:93), Special Director, Intelligence Bureau as Director, Deputy Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka, IPS (HP:88), for a period of two years from the date of assumption of office or until further orders, whichever is earlier, as per clause 56. 16 (1A) of the All India Services (Death with Pension) Rules of 1958,” the order read according to ANI.
Who is Mahesh Dixit?
Dixit, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, is currently the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau. He replaces Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, whose second extended tenure as IB director ends on June 30.
A veteran intelligence officer, Dixit has extensive experience in counter-terrorism, homeland security and intelligence operations. Prior to his stint at the IB headquarters in New Delhi, he headed the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Jammu and Kashmir, a key assignment given the security environment of the region.
One of the defining periods of Dixit’s career was his role in the run-up to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, according to NDTV. Carrying out key intelligence duties in the region, he also reportedly oversaw security arrangements during Srinagar’s host of the 2023 G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, a major international event.
He was transferred to IB headquarters last year and promoted to special director, making him the agency’s second-in-command in a move widely seen as preparation for taking over its top job.
Meanwhile, outgoing Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka will head the agency from July 2022. During his tenure, the IB has intensified its efforts to fight terrorism, coordinate intelligence and address emerging security challenges. The government granted him two consecutive extensions of service, underscoring its emphasis on continuity in the intelligence system.
With Dixit’s appointment, the government has handed over the leadership of the country’s premier internal intelligence agency to a senior officer with extensive intelligence experience.
