The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the appointment of senior IPS officer Sanjay Singhal as the new Director General (DG) of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Singhal, who is currently serving as Special Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF), will assume charge on September 1, 2025, succeeding Amrit Mohan Prasad, who retires on August 31, 2025.
Singhal’s appointment is a significant development in India’s internal security architecture. He will hold the post of DG, SSB until his superannuation on December 31, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. With over three decades of distinguished service, Singhal brings a wealth of operational and administrative experience to the role.
A 1989-batch IPS officer, Singhal began his career in Uttar Pradesh Police, where he served as Superintendent of Police (SP) across several districts. Over the years, he commanded multiple battalions of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and later went on to play a crucial role in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Between 2008 and 2015, he held the position of Director Inspector General (DIG) and subsequently Inspector General (IG) at the ITBP, where he was instrumental in border security operations and personnel training.
From 2015 to 2024, Singhal held key leadership roles in Uttar Pradesh, including Inspector General (IG), General Staff Officer (GSO) to the Director General of Police (DGP), Additional Director General (ADG) Crime, ADG Railways, and ADG Establishment. These roles saw him spearheading investigations, modernizing policing infrastructure, and enhancing inter-agency coordination.
In December 2024, Singhal was elevated as Special DG in the BSF, one of India’s largest border-guarding forces. His proven expertise in managing complex security scenarios along India’s borders has made him a suitable choice to head the SSB, which guards the borders with Nepal and Bhutan and plays a critical role in counter-insurgency and internal security.
His appointment underscores the government’s emphasis on experienced leadership in India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), especially in times of growing cross-border security challenges. Sanjay Singhal’s extensive field experience and strategic acumen are expected to further strengthen the SSB’s operational effectiveness and morale.
