In a groundbreaking development, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has ushered in a new era with the appointment and regularization of Nina Singh as its Director General (DG). Singh, a seasoned 1989-batch IPS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, assumes the mantle as the first woman to lead the 1.76 lakh-strong force, securing key establishments nationwide.
Nina Singh, who previously served as the Special DG, took on the additional charge of DG CISF from September 1, 2023, succeeding Sheel Vardhan Singh upon his superannuation on August 31, 2023.
The accomplished leader, armed with a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University in the United States, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Notably, Singh’s leadership will extend over vital sectors, including civil airports, industrial installations, aerospace and nuclear facilities, metro rails, dams, and government buildings.
Singh, married to her batchmate Rohit Kumar Singh (IAS: 1989: RJ), currently Union Secretary for Consumer Affairs, has been recognized for her professional excellence with the Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal in 2020.
Breaking barriers, Singh had previously made history as the first woman to occupy the top police post among six DG-rank officers in the Rajasthan state police force. Her distinguished six-year tenure at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) included overseeing high-profile cases such as the Sheena Bora murder and Jiah Khan suicide.
In addition to her pivotal role in law enforcement, Singh has been at the forefront of addressing civil rights and anti-human trafficking issues. Her academic contributions include co-authoring research papers with Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. Furthermore, she actively participated in a project for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005-2006, aiming to enhance the accessibility of police stations.
