National energy giant Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has entrusted the leadership of its comprehensive security apparatus to senior police officer Deepali Masirkar. A 2008-batch Indian Police Service officer, Masirkar officially assumed office as the new Executive Director and Chief of Security at ONGC on October 28, 2026. Hailing from Korpana (Awalpur), a small village situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, her career trajectory reflects an exceptional blend of academic rigor and operational capability. Her new mandate places her at the helm of safeguarding critical national infrastructure, encompassing strategically vital onshore and offshore oil fields, exploration sites, and major refineries across India.
Childhood Encounter That Sparked a Civil Service Dream
Born in Nagpur, Deepali Masirkar grew up in a household familiar with public administration, with her father serving as a senior officer in the Maharashtra Forest Department. Her ambition to enter the civil services took root early during her fifth-grade school year, sparked by a visit from an IAS officer to her family home. The administrator's dignified conduct, leadership presence, and tangible impact on society left a lasting impression on young Deepali, inspiring her lifelong aspiration to serve the nation through public administration. While she considered herself an average student during her primary school years, she applied rigorous discipline in high school, demonstrating remarkable academic improvement in both her 10th and 12th board examinations.
Pioneering Choice in Biotechnology to First-Attempt UPSC Success
Following high school, when most peers opted for standard engineering or medical tracks, Masirkar chose an unconventional path by pursuing a BSc in Biotechnology from Hyderabad. Despite initial reservations from her family regarding the unconventional choice, she trusted her judgment and completed the degree before moving to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination. Her focused preparation yielded immediate success when she cracked the UPSC examination on her very first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 384 (AIR 384) and earning an appointment to the Nagaland cadre of the IPS. Committed to continuous professional enrichment, she subsequently earned a degree in law (LLB) from Mumbai University and completed a Master of Public Administration from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE).
Extensive Record Spanning State Policing, Central Governance, and Corporate Protection
Masirkar brings extensive administrative diversity to her corporate assignment. In her parent cadre of Nagaland, she rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG). During an inter-cadre deputation to Maharashtra Police, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in major metropolitan centres including Nagpur and Mumbai, where she spearheaded tough operational measures against economic offences and burgeoning cybercrime networks. Her central deputations include serving as Director in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and later as Director with the Election Commission of India, where she played a direct role in steering the management of the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections. That operational expertise will now protect vital natural gas installations and petroleum infrastructure.
A Partnership Rooted in Public Service
Alongside her demanding public profile, Masirkar shares her journey with her husband, Rohan Samant, who is also a senior officer in the Indian Police Service serving in the Maharashtra cadre. Balancing high-pressure security assignments and public service commitments, both officers continue to contribute significantly to the country's law enforcement, administrative integrity, and vital asset protection frameworks.
