CISF To Get New Chief, Incumbent RS Bhatti Set To Retire This Month

In view of this, the race to replace Bhatti has gathered pace among senior IPS officers, as the government has begun the process of selecting a suitable candidate to lead the force. The CISF is a central police force which plays a critical role in ensuring security for critical infrastructure.     

Sources stated that two senior IPS officers Piyush Anand of 1991-batch from Uttar Pradesh cadre and Praveer Ranjan of 1993-batch from the AGMUT cadre have emerged as the leading contenders to succeed Bhatti.

Bhatti was appointed the  DG of the CISF on August 28, 2024 and took charge of the office on September 1, 2024. His brief tenure at the helm of CISF has been marked by a focus on operational readiness and strategic realignment of resources, particularly at key installations and sensitive zones.

Sources in the IPS circles said that Anand, who is currently serving as the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is seen as a strong candidate owing to his vast experience in disaster management, policing and administrative leadership. He assumed charge of the NDRF on April 1, 2024, succeeding 1988-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer Atul Karwal.

Anand’s exposure in handling large-scale operational deployments, particularly during emergencies, makes him a favourite for leading the force, which provides security to airports, nuclear plants, metro systems and other critical infrastructure.

However, Ranjan is also considered to be a strong contender owing to his familiarity with the internal workings of the CISF, as he joined the force as Additional DG in February 2024 and was later promoted to Special DG.

Prior to his CISF stint, Ranjan also served as the Director General of Police (DGP) of UT Chandigarh, where he was credited with enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies in the Union Territory.

Given the role played by the CISF in securing India’s infrastructure and other critical strategic facilities, the government’s move to select Bhatti’s replacement is watched very closely. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is in the process of finalising the name and is expected to make an official announcement soon, ensuring a smooth leadership transition ahead of Bhatti’s retirement, a source said.