Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal takes charge as Tamil Nadu's 34th DGP
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu has a new top cop. Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer known for expanding Chennai's CCTV grid and the ‘Night Crime to Zero' push, took charge as the state's 34th DGP — the first full-time appointment under the new TVK government after the April assembly polls.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal assumed charge as Tamil Nadu's 34th DGP on 3 June at 10:45 am in Chennai.
He is a 1994-batch IPS officer with over three decades of service in Tamil Nadu.
The UPSC cleared a panel of Rajiv Kumar , Sandeep Rai Rathore and Aggarwal before the state picked him.
He led the expansion of Chennai's CCTV surveillance network and launched the ‘Night Crime to Zero' initiative.
He supervised major probes including the Salem train robbery case and received the Chief Minister's Medal for Meritorious Service .
Senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal on Wednesday, 3 June, assumed charge as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Tamil Nadu, becoming the 34th officer to lead the state police force. He took over at 10:45 am at the DGP Headquarters on Kamarajar Salai in Chennai, opening a new chapter for one of India's largest state police organisations.
How the appointment came about
Aggarwal's elevation follows the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held in a single phase on April 23. During the poll period, in line with directives from the Election Commission of India, senior IPS officer Sandeep Rai Rathore had been appointed officer in-charge of the Tamil Nadu Police.
After the new government led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was sworn in, the process to appoint a full-time DGP was set in motion. The state government forwarded a panel of three names — Rajiv Kumar, Sandeep Rai Rathore and Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal — to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The UPSC cleared the panel at a meeting in New Delhi, following which the state government picked Aggarwal for the top police post.
Who is Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal
A 1994-batch IPS officer, Aggarwal brings more than three decades of policing experience across Tamil Nadu. Born in Punjab, he holds a law degree and is a qualified advocate, and is fluent in Tamil, English, Hindi and Punjabi.
He has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chennai for three years, as Traffic Deputy Commissioner in the city, and as Superintendent of Police in Thoothukudi district.
Track record on the ground
Aggarwal is widely credited with playing a key role in expanding Chennai's CCTV surveillance network, a push that strengthened crime detection and public safety in the metropolis. He also rolled out the ‘Night Crime to Zero' initiative aimed at curbing offences during late-night hours.
He has supervised several high-profile investigations, including the Salem train robbery case. In recognition of his service, he was conferred the Chief Minister's Medal for Meritorious Service.
What's next for Tamil Nadu Police
His appointment is being read within the force as a signal of continuity on technology-led policing — surveillance, data-driven investigation and crime prevention — at a time when the new TVK government is expected to articulate its own law-and-order priorities. Officers say focus areas in the coming weeks will include cybercrime, urban traffic management and coastal security.
Point of View
Technology-first record fits a state where urban policing and coastal security increasingly hinge on data infrastructure. The real test, however, will be whether that approach extends to politically sensitive areas: custodial deaths, communal flashpoints and the policing of dissent, where Tamil Nadu has drawn repeated scrutiny. A modernising DGP is welcome; an accountable one is what the moment demands.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, the new DGP of Tamil Nadu?
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal is a 1994-batch IPS officer with more than three decades of policing experience in Tamil Nadu. Born in Punjab and trained in law, he has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chennai and SP of Thoothukudi, and is known for technology-driven policing.
When did Aggarwal take charge as Tamil Nadu's DGP?
He assumed charge at 10:45 am on Wednesday, 3 June, at the DGP Headquarters on Kamarajar Salai in Chennai. He becomes the 34th officer to head the Tamil Nadu Police.
Why was a new DGP appointed now?
Following the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Sandeep Rai Rathore had been made officer in-charge under Election Commission directives. After the new TVK-led government took office, a fresh panel was sent to the UPSC, which cleared Aggarwal's selection.
What is Aggarwal best known for in his policing career?
He is widely credited with expanding Chennai's CCTV surveillance network and launching the ‘Night Crime to Zero' initiative to curb late-night offences. He also supervised the high-profile Salem train robbery investigation and was awarded the Chief Minister's Medal for Meritorious Service.
Who else was on the DGP shortlist sent to the UPSC?
The state government forwarded a three-name panel comprising Rajiv Kumar, Sandeep Rai Rathore and Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal. The UPSC approved the panel at a meeting in New Delhi before the state finalised Aggarwal.
