Tapan Deka, the Chief of the Intelligence Bureau, has been granted a one-year extension. This is the second time his tenure has been extended by one year, now continuing until June 2026.
Tapan Deka is a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre. He is an expert in handling cases related to terrorism and radicalization. His appointment as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau was based on his specialization in dealing with anti-terrorism cases that originate from Pakistan or are linked to Pakistan-sponsored terror camps. His leadership is especially significant following the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir and India’s strong response through Operation Sindoor.
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Tapan Deka: Life and Service
Tapan Deka was born on 25 February 1963 in Sarthebari, Barpeta District, Assam, into an Assamese family. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Delhi University and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) in his first attempt at the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. He was allotted the Himachal Pradesh cadre under the 1988 batch.
He served as the Director General of Police (DGP) in Himachal Pradesh, a position he assumed in 2021. Earlier in his career, he had been denied this post despite being eligible.
Tapan Deka took charge as the 28th Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on 1 July 2022 , succeeding Arvind Kumar, whose tenure ended on 30 June 2022 . During his police service, Deka worked extensively with the Intelligence Bureau and is often referred to as a “superspy.” He has maintained a close association with the National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval . He joined the Intelligence Bureau in 1998.
Intelligence Bureau and Its History
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is India’s internal security and counterintelligence agency, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Its origins date back to the British era when it was established in 1887 as the Central Special Branch —making it one of the oldest intelligence organizations in the world. It was created in response to growing political unrest, especially after the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 .
On 25 March 1887 , a secret dispatch (No. 11) was issued by R.A. Cross, then Secretary of State for India, approving a proposal by Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India, to establish a system for collecting secret and political intelligence in India.
Until 1968 , the IB handled both internal and external intelligence. However, with the establishment of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in 1968, the IB’s role was limited to internal intelligence only.
Tapan Deka’s experience in the field of espionage and intelligence agencies has played a vital role in countering terrorism. His work has consistently helped safeguard India’s internal and external security by dismantling terrorist camps and neutralizing threats posed by elements working against the country. As he came from the state of Assam, he also worked to subdue many internal threats as well as international threats. He continues to work with the Intelligence Bureau effectively. His journey from Assam to heading one of India’s topmost prestigious agencies is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and public service for the Nation.
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Static GK: Important Facts
About the Intelligence Bureau
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Chief of the Intelligence Bureau | Tapan Deka |
| First Chief after Independence | T.G. Sanjeevi Pillai |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Union Home Minister | Amit Shah |
| First Union Home Minister after Independence | Vallabhbhai Patel |
Himachal Pradesh
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Chief Minister | Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu |
| Governor | Shiv Pratap Shukla |
| Capital | Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter) |
Assam
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Chief Minister | Hemant Biswa Sarma |
| Governor | Lakshman Prasad Acharya |
| Capital | Dispur |
Indian National Congress
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| First General Secretary | A.O. Hume |
| First President | Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee |
| Father of the Indian National Congress | Allan Octavian Hume |
R&AW
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Research and Analytical Wing |
| Year of Formation | 1968 |
| First Chief | Rameshwar Nath Kao |
| Current Chief | Ravi Sinha |