The centre has appointed former director general of the Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar Singh as the deputy National Security Advisor (Dy NSA) in National Security Council Secretariat for a period of two years.
According to a National Security Council of Secretariat order which was released on 15th January 2023, ex-BSF DG Pankaj Kumar Singh is a 1988-batch IPS Officer of the Rajasthan cadre. He has been appointed for the post on a re-employment contract, which is valid for two year and is to come into effect from the date he assumes the charge as Dy NSA, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
“In pursuance of approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet as conveyed vide DoP&T communication dated January 14, 2023, Pankaj Kumar Singh, IPS (Retd.) (RJ:1988) is appointed in National Security Council Secretariat as Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA), on re-employment on contract basis, for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” said the order.
After assuming the new role, he will assist NSA Ajit Doval in creation, implementation and improvisation of India’s national security strategies, including assessing threats posed by terrorism, data breaches & theft, cyber threats, readiness of concerned agencies and cooperation between major organisations dealing with security issues and affairs.
It is pertinent to note that Pankaj Kumar Singh had just retired as the BSF chief on December 31, 2022. He had taken the charge as BSF DG on 31st August 2021 and had scripted history a son and a father holding the top post of a paramilitary force during their services as his father and retd. 1959-batch IPS officer Prakash Singh had also headed BSF from June 1993 to January 1994.
Earlier, he has also served with the Union government as CRPF Inspector General (Chhattisgarh) and IG (Operations) at CRPF HQ in Delhi. He had also served in the BSF earlier before acquiring the top rank there. As DG BSF, he had to negotiate the contentious amendment to BSF jurisdiction which was increased to 50km from the border as many states had starkly opposed it.
He also played a big role in pushing women soldiers of the BSF into the acrobatic show of motorcycle riding in the Republic Day parade. This was also followed by a countrywide tour by women motorcycle riders of the BSF. His idea of celebrating the 2021 Raising Day of the BSF in Jaisalmer was liked so much that it has now directed all paramilitary forces including the Indian Army to celebrate their foundation and raising days out of Delhi.
