Who Is IPS Daljit Singh Chaudhary? Former BSF Chief Appointed Vice-Chancellor of National Sports University Manipur
In a significant post-retirement appointment, Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a highly decorated retired IPS officer of the 1990 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the National Sports University. The appointment marks a major transition for the former police chief, who is moving from decades of frontline policing and national security responsibilities into the field of higher education and sports administration.
The appointment order, issued from GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi on May 7, 2026, stated that his selection was made on the recommendation of the Search-Cum-Selection Committee constituted for the post.
Daljit Singh Chaudhary retired from active IPS service in November 2025 after completing an illustrious policing career spanning more than 34 years. Over the course of his service, he held several of the country’s most important policing and security assignments, including serving as Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and senior leadership roles in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Widely known in policing circles as a tough field officer and strategic operational leader, Chaudhary earned the reputation of a “super cop” due to his involvement in anti-dacoit campaigns, anti-terror operations, and border security management. His career trajectory reflects a rare combination of operational policing experience and high-level security administration.
According to the official appointment order, he has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the National Sports University for a tenure of five years from the date of assuming office or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
The position carries a fixed monthly salary of ₹2,10,000 along with a Special Allowance of ₹11,250 and other admissible benefits under the National Sports University Act, 2018 and University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. The order also provides for official accommodation, a staff vehicle, and other institutional facilities during his tenure. He has been directed to assume charge within seven days of the issuance of the notification.
Born on November 25, 1965, in New Delhi, Daljit Singh Chaudhary pursued higher education in both science and law before joining the civil services. He completed Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degrees and later prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination during his law studies. After successfully clearing the examination, he joined the Indian Police Service in the 1990 batch and was allotted the Uttar Pradesh cadre, widely regarded as one of the country’s most challenging policing cadres.
In the early years of his career, Chaudhary became known for his aggressive field policing style and anti-crime operations in Uttar Pradesh. Serving as ASP and later Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in districts including Etawah, he played a major role in anti-dacoit operations in the Chambal ravines and adjoining regions.
He gained widespread attention for leading operations against notorious criminal gangs and was credited with neutralising 32 gangsters within 18 months during his tenure as SSP Etawah. Among the most high-profile encounters associated with him was the 2005 operation against dreaded dacoit Nirbhay Gujjar. He was also linked to operations against criminals such as Salim Gujjar and Rajjan Gujjar.
Senior officers who worked alongside him frequently described him as a field commander who preferred leading operations personally rather than supervising from behind. Former officers have often highlighted his calmness, tactical precision, and crisis-management abilities during high-pressure situations.
Daljit Singh Chaudhary later rose to become Additional Director General (Law & Order) in Uttar Pradesh, one of the most influential policing assignments in the state. During this period, he handled several major law-and-order situations and anti-terror operations.
One of the most notable moments of his tenure came in 2017, when he personally monitored a high-profile anti-terror operation in Lucknow involving a suspected ISIS Khorasan-linked operative. The overnight operation received national attention and reinforced his image as a crisis-response specialist.
Since 2017, he remained continuously on central deputation and occupied several top positions in Central Armed Police Forces. He served as Additional Director General in the ITBP, Special Director General in the CRPF overseeing Jammu & Kashmir operations, Director General of the SSB, and eventually Director General of the BSF.
As DG of the SSB, he supervised security management along India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. In August 2024, he assumed charge as Director General of the BSF, the world’s largest border guarding force, where he oversaw critical border security operations and strategic deployments.
He also briefly held additional charge of the elite National Security Guard, popularly known as the “Black Cats.”
Apart from his policing achievements, Daljit Singh Chaudhary is also known for his specialised training and sporting background. He is among the few IPS officers to complete the para course conducted at the Army Airborne Training School in Agra, becoming a para-qualified officer in 2020. He is also a trained skydiver and a nationally recognised shooter.
Throughout his distinguished service career, he received numerous honours and decorations, including four Police Medals for Gallantry, the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and the Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal.
With his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the National Sports University, Chaudhary now enters a new phase of public service focused on sports education, institutional leadership, and youth development. Established under the National Sports University Act, 2018, the Imphal-based university is India’s premier institution dedicated to sports sciences, coaching, athletic training, and sports management.
Officials and observers believe his vast leadership experience, discipline-oriented administrative style, and background in national service could bring a unique perspective to the university’s future growth and institutional development.
