IPS Officer Rakesh Balwal Appointed Deputy Inspector General in CRPF
This development has been widely welcomed in official and security circles as a step toward strengthening the leadership of one of India’s premier central armed police forces.
New Delhi/Srinagar, May 29, 2026 — The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the appointment of IPS officer Rakesh Balwal as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on deputation. The official order, issued on May 25, 2026, places the 2012-batch officer under the standard terms and conditions governing central deputation. The Ministry has requested the Government of Manipur to relieve him at the earliest to enable him to assume his new responsibilities at the Centre.
Rakesh Balwal, a native of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, belongs to the Manipur cadre of the Indian Police Service. Despite being allotted to the Manipur cadre, he has maintained strong professional ties with his home region, serving in several senior capacities in Jammu and Kashmir. His most recent assignment in the Union Territory was as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, a position he held during a critical period of security management.
Balwal brings extensive experience in high-stakes counter-terrorism and investigative work. He played a pivotal role in the investigation of the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. During his deputation with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as Superintendent of Police for over three-and-a-half years, he contributed significantly to the probe into the attack and related cases. Prior to his posting in Srinagar, he served in various operational and administrative roles within the Manipur cadre, including as SSP Thoubal.
A highly decorated officer, Balwal has received the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation, and a commendation from the Director General of the CRPF. These honours recognise his distinguished service in maintaining public order, conducting complex investigations, and strengthening coordination between state police forces and central agencies.
The appointment underscores the Government of India’s practice of deploying experienced IPS officers to central paramilitary forces on deputation, enabling the sharing of expertise across jurisdictions. Balwal’s proven track record in Jammu and Kashmir’s challenging security environment, combined with his investigative acumen demonstrated during the Pulwama case, positions him well for his new role in the CRPF, which is responsible for internal security and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
Officials in both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government are expected to complete the formalities shortly, allowing Balwal to take charge of his new assignment in the coming weeks. His elevation to the rank of DIG in the CRPF is being viewed as a recognition of his professional competence and commitment to national security.
This development has been widely welcomed in official and security circles as a step toward strengthening the leadership of one of India’s premier central armed police forces.
