TV Ravichandran appointed as Deputy NSA, EX-R&AW chief Rajinder Khanna as Additional NSA

New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI): TV Ravichandran, Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, was appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) while Deputy National Security Advisor and former R&AW Chief Rajinder Khanna has been appointed as Additional National Security Advisor (NSA).

The centre on Tuesday issued a notification in this regard.

“In pursuance of approval of Appointments Committee of the Cabinet conveyed vide DoP&T communication No. 31/1/2024-EO(SM.II) dated 02.07.2024, Shri T. V. Ravichandran, IPS (TN:1990), Special Director, Intelligence Bureau is appointed to the post of Deputy National Security Advisor, NSCS vice Shri Rajinder Khanna, for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, initially up to the date of his superannuation on 31.08.2024; and thereafter on re-employment on contract basis, as per usual terms and conditions as are applicable to Dy. NSA, or until further orders whichever is earlier,” the official notification stated.

Notably, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with NSA Ajit Doval as its secretary, serves as the apex body for all internal and external security-related matters in India.

Khanna, a 1978-batch IPS officer from the Odisha cadre, served as the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) from December 2014 to December 2016. He was appointed deputy NSA in January 2018, overseeing the Technology and Intelligence section.

Ravichandran’s appointment as deputy NSA comes as he replaces Vikram Mistry, who was named foreign secretary last month. He is a 1990 batch officer and is currently serving as Special Director, Intelligence Bureau, looking after South India. He was to retire in August 2024.