New Delhi: The Central government has appointed senior IPS officer Mahesh Dixit as the next Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India’s premier domestic intelligence agency. A 1993-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, Dixit will succeed incumbent IB chief Tapan Kumar Deka, whose extended tenure is set to conclude on June 30, 2026.
The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the official government order, Dixit has been appointed for a two-year tenure from the date he assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier. To facilitate his appointment, the government has granted him 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.
Currently serving as the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the second-highest position in the agency, Dixit has been overseeing several critical intelligence and security operations. Officials describe him as a seasoned intelligence professional with extensive experience in handling complex internal security challenges across different parts of the country.
Notably, Mahesh Dixit began his professional career as a qualified medical doctor before joining the IPS. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and national security operations.
Before becoming the IB’s Special Director, Dixit headed the Kashmir Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau, where he played a significant role in maintaining law and order following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. His career also includes assignments involving security operations in the Northeast, Ladakh, and anti-Naxal initiatives, providing him with broad operational experience across diverse security environments.
The Intelligence Bureau is India’s primary domestic intelligence agency, responsible for gathering intelligence related to terrorism, internal conflicts, counter-intelligence, and threats to national security. The agency also works closely with state police forces and other security organisations by sharing intelligence inputs and coordinating security measures.
Outgoing IB chief Tapan Deka, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, took charge of the agency in 2022 and subsequently received two one-year extensions. During his tenure, the Intelligence Bureau focused on strengthening counter-terrorism operations, improving intelligence coordination, and addressing emerging security challenges across the country.
With Mahesh Dixit set to take over the country’s top domestic intelligence post from July 1, his appointment is expected to ensure continuity in the agency’s efforts to tackle evolving internal security threats and enhance India’s intelligence capabilities.
