The Tamil Nadu government has appointed IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal as Director General of Police and Head of Police Force. He succeeds Sandeep Rai Rathore and will serve a two-year fixed tenure as mandated by Supreme Court guidelines.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has appointed senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal as the new Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF), effective Friday, May 29, 2026. The 1994-batch IPS officer will replace outgoing DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore in the state's top policing position.
Aggarwal, who is currently serving as DGP in the Border Security Force (BSF) in Delhi, was among three IPS officers recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as suitable candidates for the prestigious post. The state government has formally requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to relieve Dr Aggarwal from his BSF duties to assume charge in Tamil Nadu.
The senior officer is well-known in Tamil Nadu policing circles, having served as Chennai Police Commissioner during the critical COVID-19 pandemic period. During that challenging tenure, he launched several initiatives - 'Drive Against Drugs' campaign aimed at combating narcotics menace and the 'Kaaval Karangal' programme.
In line with the landmark guidelines established by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case, Aggarwal will serve a fixed tenure of two years as DGP and Head of Police Force, commencing from the date he officially assumes office. This tenure protection is meant to ensure operational independence and continuity in police leadership.
Over his distinguished three-decade career in the Indian Police Service, Aggarwal has held several key policing assignments across Tamil Nadu and at the central level. His exemplary service has earned him prestigious recognitions, including the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Medal, honouring his exceptional contributions and leadership in law enforcement.
Aggarwal, who is currently serving as DGP in the Border Security Force (BSF) in Delhi, was among three IPS officers recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as suitable candidates for the prestigious post. The state government has formally requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to relieve Dr Aggarwal from his BSF duties to assume charge in Tamil Nadu.
The senior officer is well-known in Tamil Nadu policing circles, having served as Chennai Police Commissioner during the critical COVID-19 pandemic period. During that challenging tenure, he launched several initiatives - 'Drive Against Drugs' campaign aimed at combating narcotics menace and the 'Kaaval Karangal' programme.
In line with the landmark guidelines established by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case, Aggarwal will serve a fixed tenure of two years as DGP and Head of Police Force, commencing from the date he officially assumes office. This tenure protection is meant to ensure operational independence and continuity in police leadership.
Over his distinguished three-decade career in the Indian Police Service, Aggarwal has held several key policing assignments across Tamil Nadu and at the central level. His exemplary service has earned him prestigious recognitions, including the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Medal, honouring his exceptional contributions and leadership in law enforcement.