India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Centre has appointed senior IPS officer Mahesh Dixit as the next Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India’s premier internal intelligence agency. A 1993-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre, Dixit will take over from outgoing IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his appointment for a two-year term from the date he assumes charge. Dixit, who is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, has also been granted an extension in service to take up the new role.
Mahesh Dixit, a 1993-batch Telangana cadre IPS officer, has been appointed the next Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for a two-year term. Previously Special Director at IB, he played key roles before Article 370’s abrogation and oversaw security during the G20 meeting in Srinagar.
With more than three decades in policing and intelligence, Dixit has handled several key national security assignments, particularly in counter-terrorism and internal security.
Key role before Article 370 abrogation
Among the major assignments in his career was his role ahead of the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
According to officials familiar with the developments, Dixit was involved in assessing the security situation before the constitutional change and helped prepare plans to maintain law and order during the transition.
After Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories, he continued to handle important intelligence responsibilities in the region. Officials credit him with helping security agencies manage terror threats and maintain stability during a politically sensitive period.
Oversaw security during G20 meeting in Kashmir
During his tenure in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar hosted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in 2023, the first major international event in the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370.
The event passed off without any major security incident. Several foreign diplomatic delegations also visited Kashmir during this period. Officials said Dixit’s intelligence assessments helped security agencies and the administration prepare for these high-profile visits.
Experience in tackling misinformation
Apart from field intelligence, Dixit has also worked on countering misinformation and propaganda campaigns targeting India.
Security officials say he has been closely associated with efforts to deal with disinformation originating from both domestic and foreign sources, an area that has become increasingly important as national security challenges move into the digital space.
Dixit assumes office at a time when India continues to face multiple security challenges, including terrorism, radicalisation, cyber threats and cross-border misinformation campaigns.
As the new Intelligence Bureau chief, he will oversee the country’s internal intelligence network and work closely with central and state agencies on security-related matters.
His appointment is seen as part of the government’s effort to place an experienced intelligence officer at the helm of the country’s top internal security agency.
