NEW DELHI: In a series of high-level administrative clearances issued on June 1, 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved key proposals submitted by security wings under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training). The executive orders detail a significant senior-level posting in the Special Protection Group (SPG) and a financial upgrade for the leadership of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Rajiv Ranjan Bhagat Appointed ADG in Special Protection Group
The ACC has cleared a key security appointment to fortify the top management of India’s elite protection unit:
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Strategic Posting: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Bhagat, an IPS officer of the 1998 Gujarat (GJ) batch, has been officially appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) in the Special Protection Group (SPG).
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Tenure Timeline: The appointment will take effect from the date he formally assumes charge of the office, carrying an established tenure running up to May 20, 2027.
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Rank Upgradation: To accommodate his placement, the central government has temporarily upgraded the specific post to the level of ADG as a measure personal to the officer.
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Administrative Clearing: The order follows an official communication from the Office of the Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, led by Secretary Shri Parag Jain.
SSB Chief Sanjay Singhal Granted Apex Pay Scale
Concurrently, a separate central order brings a major structural upgrade to the leadership of one of India’s primary border-guarding forces:
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Financial Elevation: The ACC has formally approved a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to grant the prestigious Apex pay scale (Level-17 in the pay matrix) to Shri Sanjay Singhal, IPS.
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Profile and Impact: Shri Singhal is a senior 1993-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre currently serving as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
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Effective Date: The transition to the Level-17 Apex pay scale is effective immediately from the date of the ACC’s approval, logged as June 1, 2026.
