Mahesh Dixit, 1993-Batch IPS Officer, Appointed as Next IB Director
The Union government has appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Mahesh Dixit as the next Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Dixit, a 1993-batch officer of the Telangana cadre, will take over the country's premier internal security agency.
According to an order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Dixit will serve a two-year term from the date he assumes charge. He will succeed outgoing IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka. Dixit is currently serving as Special Director in the IB and has been granted an extension in service to take up the top post.
Dixit has decades of experience in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and national security management. Officials say he played a key role in assessing security implications before the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, and helped formulate strategies to maintain law and order during the transition. After the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories, Dixit handled critical intelligence responsibilities in the region.
During his tenure overseeing intelligence in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar hosted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in 2023, an event that drew international participation. Officials credit Dixit with providing accurate assessments of ground realities that facilitated diplomatic outreach. Several foreign delegations visited Kashmir during this period.
Beyond Jammu and Kashmir, Dixit has been involved in countering misinformation and propaganda campaigns targeting India. His experience in information warfare is seen as relevant as national security threats extend into the digital domain.
The appointment comes at a time when India faces evolving security challenges, including terrorism, radicalisation, cyber threats, and cross-border disinformation. As IB chief, Dixit is expected to oversee intelligence operations to strengthen internal security and enhance coordination among agencies.
