The Union Home Ministry on 6 November 2026 appointed Ajay Kumar Yadav, a 1996-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, as Additional Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force on deputation. The Level 15 posting runs from the date he assumes charge until 30 September 2030, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The ministry wrote to the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and asked the state to relieve him immediately so that he can join the Centre. The move places a senior Himachal cadre officer in the leadership of the CRPF, one of India’s largest central armed police forces, and follows other recent CAPF changes such as the appointment of Gyanendra Pratap Singh as CRPF chief.
What the Home Ministry order says
According to The Tribune, which reported the communication on 7 November 2026, Yadav has been appointed Additional Director General in the CRPF on deputation against an existing vacancy. His tenure begins when he takes charge and continues up to 30 September 2030 or until further orders, whichever comes first.
The letter requested that “Shri Ajay Kumar Yadav, IPS(HP:1996), may be relieved immediately to enable him to join his new assignment at the Centre.” The same appointment appeared on 6 November 2026 in the Centre’s daily personnel log compiled by Indian Mandarins, which recorded the CRPF posting through the date of his superannuation.
Who is Ajay Kumar Yadav?
Yadav is a 1996-batch direct-recruit IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. Indian Masterminds reported that he joined the service in September 1997 and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication. LiveMint added that he also holds a law degree, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University and a postgraduate certificate in Cyber Defence and Information Assurance from Cranfield University.
He has served in the Himachal Pradesh Police and earlier on central deputation with the CRPF. Indian Masterminds said he worked as Inspector General in the CRPF after a deputation that began in January 2018, and that after returning to the state cadre he was appointed Additional Director General of Police (Crime) in Himachal Pradesh in March 2025, with additional charge of the Special Task Force.
LiveMint reported that his earlier assignments also include Principal Resident Commissioner for the Himachal Pradesh government in New Delhi and Officer on Special Duty to the Union Home Minister and the Finance Minister. His home cadre has seen other senior police movements this year, including a January 2026 promotion of five Himachal Pradesh IPS officers to DGP rank.
Why the CRPF ADG posting matters
An Additional Director General sits in the senior leadership band of a central armed police force, just below the Director General. Filling a vacant Level 15 CRPF post with an officer who has already served in the force as Inspector General is meant to give the organisation continuity through 2030, the year Yadav is due to retire.
The appointment is part of a wider pattern of police leadership changes this month, including Punjab’s elevation of four 1995-batch IPS officers to DGP rank on 7 November 2026. Similar central deputation postings at this rank have also been made in other forces, such as the appointment of Shamsher Singh as Additional Director General in the BSF.
Primary reporting of the 6 November Home Ministry letter is available from The Tribune.
Key takeaways
- Ajay Kumar Yadav, IPS (Himachal Pradesh, 1996 batch), has been appointed Additional Director General in the CRPF on deputation against an existing vacancy.
- The posting is at Level 15 and runs from the date he assumes charge until 30 September 2030, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- The Union Home Ministry has asked Himachal Pradesh to relieve him immediately so that he can join the Centre.
Featured image: Himachal Pradesh IPS officer Ajay Kumar Yadav. Photo: Ajay Kumar Yadav via LinkedIn, as published by The Tribune and Indian Masterminds.