Deepak Kumar, an IPS officer of 2004 batch, has been appointed as the Inspector General in home department. This is for the first time an IPS officer has been given charge in home department, which is being run by IAS officers.
The head of home department, however continues to be an IAS – additional chief secretary Bhaskar Sawant, who is a 1995 batch IAS officer. Sawant is considered as result oriented low profile officer.
He had performed well in his role as principal secretary energy and PHED.
A native of Bijnor, Deepak Kumar was on APO since April 2025 after his return from central deputation where he was serving as DIG, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)on a lateral shift basis. On central deputation, Kumar has also served as DIG in Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) – a central research institute of which Rajasthan DG Police Rajeev Kumar Sharma had been the head.
Deepak Kumar is considered as diligent officer with clean track record. He had served in chief secretariat first as superintendent of Police and then as DIG CM security when Vasundhara Raje was the chief minister. He has also served as SP of Tonk and Jalore districts among other assignments with state government.
What will be the role of Deepak Kumar?
Since the post has been created for the first time in home department, there is not much clarity about his role in the department. However, senior officials believe that he will play the role of any secretary in the department. Incidentally, Avichal Chaturvedi, a 2012 batch IAS officer, who was serving as special secretary in home department has gone a study leave. His responsibility is being given to another special secretary Om Prakash Bunkar, who is retiring in this month. Bunkar is a 2010 batch IAS officer promoted from state administrative service.
“Since he knows policing also, it will be better to have an IPS officer in the overall administration of home department. His experience in BPR&D will help in coordination and operation in the department,” said a senior IAS officer.
He said that generally an IPS officer is appointed as OSD to home minister in the department.
“This time the IPS officer will have to report to ACS home instead of home minister,” the official added.
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