Amit Shah’s Close Aide Mahesh Dixit Appointed New IB Chief; No Further Extension for Tapan Kumar Deka

The Indian government has appointed Mahesh Dixit, a close associate of Home Minister Amit Shah, as the new chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), ending speculation over the agency’s top leadership. The government has also decided not to grant any further extension to incumbent IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka, who had already received three service extensions during his tenure.

Mahesh Dixit is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau and is set to assume charge as the head of India’s premier domestic intelligence agency. Earlier in his career, he served as Additional Director of the IB in Srinagar, where he was associated with key intelligence and security operations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, Dixit played a significant role in intelligence coordination and security planning in the region. He was reportedly involved in preparations and intelligence-related measures undertaken ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He also handled intelligence coordination among the Army, police, and various security agencies operating in the region, facilitating information-sharing and joint operational planning on critical security matters.

His appointment comes at a time when India continues to place strong emphasis on internal security, counterinsurgency operations, and intelligence-led policymaking in sensitive regions. Mahesh Dixit is expected to take over from Tapan Kumar Deka upon the completion of the latter’s tenure.