Who Is IPS Officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal? New Tamil Nadu DGP Takes Charge After Nine-Month Leadership Gap
In a major reshuffle at the top level of the Tamil Nadu Police, senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has taken over as the new Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF) of Tamil Nadu. His appointment ends a prolonged period of more than nine months during which the state did not have a regular full-time police chief.
The appointment was made after the Central Government approved his repatriation from the Border Security Force (BSF) to his parent Tamil Nadu cadre. He officially assumed charge on June 3, 2026, replacing Sandeep Rai Rathore, who has now been transferred as DGP, Prisons and Correctional Services.
End of a Long Wait for Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu had been functioning without a permanent DGP since the retirement of Shankar Jiwal in August 2025.
Following his retirement, interim arrangements were made, first through senior officer G. Venkataraman and later through Sandeep Rai Rathore, who was appointed during the Assembly election period to oversee law and order.
With Aggarwal’s appointment, the state now has a full-time police chief expected to serve a fixed tenure of two years under Supreme Court guidelines governing DGP appointments.
Who Is Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal?
Born into a distinguished public service career, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal belongs to the 1994 batch of the Indian Police Service and is a Tamil Nadu cadre officer.
Over nearly three decades, he has built extensive experience in policing, intelligence, investigations, administration, and security management at both the state and national levels.
Before returning to Tamil Nadu, he was serving as Special Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF). He was also entrusted with additional charge of the BSF’s Eastern Command headquartered in Kolkata, one of the force’s most strategically important operational zones.
Major Positions Held During His Career
Aggarwal has occupied several key positions in the Tamil Nadu Police hierarchy, including:
Commissioner of Police, Chennai
Commissioner of Police, Madurai
Director General of Armed Police
Special Director General, Crime Branch-CID (CB-CID)
Various senior operational and administrative assignments across Tamil Nadu
His career has exposed him to urban policing, crime investigation, intelligence gathering, public order management, and police modernization.
How He Became DGP
The appointment followed a selection process conducted through the Union Public Service Commission.
A panel of three senior IPS officers was reportedly shortlisted:
Rajeev Kumar
Sandeep Rai Rathore
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal
After examining the panel, the Tamil Nadu government selected Aggarwal for the state’s top policing post.
Major Challenges Before the New DGP
Aggarwal assumes office at a time when Tamil Nadu faces several policing challenges.
1. Drug Trafficking
The new DGP has identified narcotics control as a major priority. Tamil Nadu Police is expected to intensify operations against drug trafficking networks and organized criminal groups involved in the illegal drug trade.
2. Crimes Against Women
Women’s safety remains a critical area of focus. Aggarwal has emphasized strict enforcement measures and faster investigation of offences involving women and children.
3. Cyber Crime
With cyber fraud, online scams, financial crimes, and digital offences rising rapidly, strengthening cyber policing capabilities will be one of his most important responsibilities.
4. Law and Order Management
Maintaining communal harmony, preventing organized crime, and ensuring public safety across a rapidly urbanizing state will remain central to his tenure.
Major Reshuffle Alongside the Appointment
The leadership change also triggered other senior-level transfers:
Sandeep Rai Rathore has been posted as DGP, Prisons and Correctional Services.
K. Shankar has been appointed DGP, Enforcement Bureau CID.
Several other administrative responsibilities within the police hierarchy have been realigned.
What Aggarwal Said After Taking Charge
After assuming office, Aggarwal thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for placing confidence in him and outlined his priorities.
According to him, the police force will focus on:
Strong law-and-order management
Drug control measures
Tough action against crimes targeting women
Enhanced cyber-crime enforcement
Better public cooperation with police
Why This Appointment Matters
The appointment of Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal is significant because it restores stability at the top of Tamil Nadu’s police leadership after months of interim arrangements. With extensive experience in both the BSF and Tamil Nadu Police, he is expected to strengthen coordination between state and central security agencies, modernize policing systems, and address emerging challenges ranging from cyber threats to organized crime.
As Tamil Nadu’s new DGP, Aggarwal now carries the responsibility of leading one of India’s largest and most influential state police forces during a period of evolving security and governance challenges.
