The Union Government has appointed Dhirendra Sambhaji Kutey, a 1997-batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer, as the Inspector General (IG) of the Border Security Force (BSF). The appointment, effective immediately, will extend until February 29, 2028, or until further orders. The official announcement came through a letter from the Under Secretary to the Government of India addressed to the Chief Secretary of Odisha.
The order stated, “I am directed to convey the approval of the competent authority for the appointment of Shri Dhirendra Sambhaji Kutey, IPS (OD: 1997), as Inspector General (Level-14 in the Pay Matrix) in the Border Security Force (BSF) from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for a tenure up to the date of his superannuation on 29.02.2028 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.” The Odisha government has been requested to relieve Kutey of his current responsibilities immediately to facilitate his transition to the new role.
Kutey’s appointment to the BSF comes shortly after Ashish Kumar Singh, another Odisha-cadre IPS officer, was appointed as Inspector General (IG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Singh’s tenure is also for five years, subject to the same conditions.
Both Kutey and Singh were reportedly removed from their positions in the Odisha Police ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Allegations were raised by the BJP, which filed complaints with the Election Commission of India, claiming that the officers were favoring the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during the election campaign. Following the BJP’s victory, Kutey was reassigned to the position of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department, a role often perceived as a demotion in bureaucratic circles.
Despite the controversies surrounding his reassignment, Kutey’s new role as the Inspector General of BSF represents a significant return to a prominent position within India’s national security apparatus. His appointment, alongside Singh’s tenure in the ITBP, will be under close observation as both officers take on these crucial assignments in the security forces
