New Delhi, 28 October 2026: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assigned the additional charge of Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to Sanjay Singhal, Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), with effect from 31 October 2026. The arrangement follows the superannuation of the incumbent, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor.
According to the MHA office memorandum issued on 27 October 2026, Sanjay Singhal, IPS (UP:1993), will hold the additional charge of DG, ITBP “upon superannuation of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, IPS (HY:1990) on 31.10.2026 and till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.” Singhal will continue to head the SSB while overseeing the ITBP.
Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor’s Tenure
Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, assumed charge as DG, ITBP on 19 January 2026, succeeding Praveen Kumar, who was appointed DG of the Border Security Force. His tenure was limited to the date of his superannuation on 31 October 2026. He had previously served as Director General of Police, Haryana, from August 2023 until he was sent on leave in October 2025 amid controversy following the suicide of 2001-batch IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar.
Kapoor’s short tenure of approximately 10 months coincided with heightened attention on the India-China border. On 22 October 2026, while addressing an ITBP event in Alwar, Rajasthan, he stated that face-offs with Chinese PLA troops continued at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh and praised the role of the force’s Shaurya commandos. The remarks drew political reactions and calls for clarity on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Sanjay Singhal’s Background and Experience
Sanjay Singhal, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been serving as the 27th Director General of the SSB since 1 September 2025, following the retirement of Amrit Mohan Prasad. His tenure as DG, SSB is scheduled until his superannuation on 31 December 2028, or until further orders.
Prior to heading the SSB, Singhal served as Special Director General in the Border Security Force. He has substantial prior experience in the ITBP, having served in the force from 2008 to 2015 in the ranks of Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General. In his cadre state of Uttar Pradesh, he held key positions including Additional Director General (Establishment, Railways and Crime), various Inspector General and Superintendent of Police assignments, and command of Provincial Armed Constabulary units. He is a recipient of the President’s Police Medal and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Operational Context
The ITBP, raised in 1962, is responsible for guarding India’s approximately 3,488-km border with China along the LAC, primarily in high-altitude Himalayan terrain. The force specialises in mountain warfare and border management. The SSB primarily secures the borders with Nepal and Bhutan and undertakes internal security duties.
The interim arrangement ensures continuity of leadership for the ITBP at a time when border management along the LAC remains operationally significant. No regular appointment to the post of DG, ITBP has been announced as of 27 October 2026. Singhal’s earlier service in the ITBP is expected to facilitate a smooth transition during the period of additional charge.
