The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the appointment of IPS officer Rakesh Balwal as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on deputation. This move strengthens the leadership of one of India’s most important central armed police forces.
The official order came on 25 May 2026. The MHA also asked the Government of Manipur to relieve him at the earliest so that he can join his new role in the Centre.
Who is Rakesh Balwal?
Rakesh Balwal belongs to the 2012 batch of the Indian Police Service and serves in the Manipur cadre. He hails from Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, he has worked in several sensitive assignments. He has handled security duties in Jammu and Kashmir and has also served in important positions in Manipur. Before this appointment, he was serving as Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar.
Experience in Counter-Terrorism and Investigation
Balwal brings strong experience in counter-terrorism and investigation work. He played a major role in the probe into the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.
He also served with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for more than three and a half years. During that period, he worked on the Pulwama case and related terrorism investigations. His role in such a high-profile case gave him valuable experience in national security matters.
Awards and Recognition
Rakesh Balwal has received several honours for his service. These include:
- Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation
- Chief of Army Staff Commendation
- CRPF Commendation from the Director General
These recognitions reflect his work in public order management, investigation, and coordination between police and central agencies.
Why This Appointment Matters
The CRPF plays a central role in India’s internal security framework. It handles counter-insurgency operations, law and order support, election duty, and anti-terror tasks across the country.
Balwal’s experience in Jammu and Kashmir, along with his investigation background, makes him a strong fit for the role. His appointment should help the force benefit from deeper field experience and sharper operational insight.
In addition, this decision reflects the government’s practice of placing experienced IPS officers in central forces on deputation. That approach helps share expertise across different security organisations.
Conclusion
The appointment of IPS officer Rakesh Balwal as DIG in CRPF marks an important step in strengthening India’s internal security leadership. With deep experience in counter-terrorism, policing, and investigations, he brings valuable expertise to his new assignment.
His transfer to the CRPF will likely support the force’s work in internal security and counter-insurgency operations.