1993-batch IPS officer Mahesh Dixit appointed IB Chief

The central government on Thursday appointed senior IPS officer Mahesh Dixit as the new Director of the country’s premier internal intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved this high-profile appointment. Mahesh Dixit will succeed the current IB chief, Tapan Kumar Deka.

A 1993-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, Mahesh Dixit has been appointed for a tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge, or until further orders. According to the official order, Mahesh Dixit, who is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, has also been granted a service extension under the special provisions of the All India Services (AIS) Rules and the Fundamental Rules (FR) to enable him to serve a two-year term as IB Director. He will take over the responsibility from the outgoing chief, Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Mahesh Dixit is regarded as one of the most experienced and capable officers in India’s intelligence system and internal security operations. A significant and important part of his career has been spent in Jammu and Kashmir. He served as the head of the Intelligence Bureau’s Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Srinagar. Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, he played a crucial role in maintaining security in the Valley and leading intelligence operations.

Dixit has extensive experience in counter-terrorism. He has led several sensitive operations to dismantle Pakistan-sponsored infiltration networks, curb anti-national radicalization, and strengthen intelligence networks. In addition, he has handled several key responsibilities within the Intelligence Bureau related to the long-standing challenge of Left-wing extremism (Naxalism). His appointment comes at a time when the country’s internal security challenges are continuously evolving and taking new forms. Mahesh Dixit’s extensive field experience is expected to help further strengthen the country’s internal security..(updated on 25th june 2026)