A key leadership transition has taken place at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Senior Indian Police Service officer Sanjay Singhal, belonging to the 1993 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, formally took additional charge as the Director General of ITBP on November 1, 2026. Singhal currently serves as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). He steps into the ITBP leadership role following the retirement of Shatrujeet Kapoor on October 31, 2026.
Upon assuming duties at the ITBP headquarters in New Delhi, Singhal reviewed the ceremonial guard of honour and took the salute. Senior officials of the paramilitary force were present on the occasion, including Additional Director General (Headquarters) Sanjeev Gunjyal. Singhal assumes this dual leadership at a crucial juncture when operational preparedness, force modernization, and robust border security along sensitive frontiers remain top priorities. His extensive policing and administrative career spans more than three decades across national security and border defence management.
Uttar Pradesh Roots and Global Peacekeeping Mission
Singhal carries deep administrative roots in Uttar Pradesh. Joining the police service as a 1993 batch officer, he served in several demanding assignments across the state police apparatus. Handling widespread law and order duties, state police governance, and regional security provided him with a well-rounded foundation in command operations.
Beyond his domestic service, an important chapter of his career unfolded on the global stage. From May 2002 to June 2003, Singhal served under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. In recognition of his international deployment and policing contributions in the conflict zone, he was decorated with the United Nations Medal.
Prior Stints in ITBP and BSF
Heading the ITBP brings Singhal back to familiar operational territory. He had previously served inside the force as Deputy Inspector General at the Sector Headquarters in Dehradun, and subsequently climbed to the rank of Inspector General. During those tenures, he directly supervised border vigilance, intelligence operations, and strategic operational management.
His central paramilitary experience also includes a major stint with the Border Security Force (BSF), where he functioned as Special Director General. Having held senior command posts across India's premier border guarding forces, he continues his tenure as Director General of SSB while concurrently taking stewardship of the ITBP.
Decorations and National Police Medals
Throughout his career, Singhal has received numerous prestigious distinctions acknowledging his operational excellence and dedicated service. He was conferred the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, alongside the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. His official honours also encompass the Seva Medal as well as the United Nations Medal earned during his Kosovo peacekeeping tenure.
