Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh Appointed To Top Cabinet Secretariat Security Post

The appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and is being viewed as an important move in India’s internal security setup.

In an order issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), it is said, “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Rajiv Singh, IPS (TR: 1993), Director General of of Police, Government of Manipur, to the post of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

The post of the Secretary (Security) is a critical position in the Cabinet Secretariat and the person holding it plays a key role in coordinating high-level security arrangements in the country. The office is responsible for overseeing sensitive security-related functions, including coordination with elite protection and intelligence agencies.

Singh’s elevation comes at a time when the government is strengthening its internal security framework, particularly in border-sensitive regions with a focus on the Northeast and “Chicken’s Neck” Corridor.

The government’s security priorities include tackling infiltration challenges, strengthening border fencing infrastructure, enhancing surveillance in vulnerable zones, and improving coordination between Central and state agencies, and in this context Singh’s operational experience is considered a key factor behind the decision.

Singh was appointed to the post of the Manipur DGP shortly after ethnic violence broke out in the state on 3 May 2023. His tenure in Manipur coincided with a prolonged period of unrest and law-and-order challenges. He was deployed on inter-cadre deputation for a three-year tenure during this sensitive period.

As Secretary (Security), Singh will now head key responsibilities linked to national security administration, including administrative oversight of the Special Protection Group (SPG), coordination of security for the Prime Minister and immediate family, liaison with intelligence and security agencies and handling sensitive internal security assignments.

The position had been handled on additional charge by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Parag Jain, a 1989 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Punjab cadre, since November last year.

Meanwhile, in a separate order, the ACC approved the inter-cadre transfer of Ladakh DGP Mukesh Singh to Manipur. He is likely to be given charge of the next DGP of Manipur.

In the order, the DoPT said, “The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for inter-cadre deputation of Mukesh Singh, IPS (AGMUT: 1996) from AGMUT cadre to Manipur cadre for a period of three years.”