Sundarraj Pattilingam Appointed NIA Inspector General

On 16 June 2026, the Union government appointed Sundarraj P, also known as Sundarraj Pattilingam, as an Inspector General in the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is a 2003-batch Indian Police Service officer and was serving in Chhattisgarh before the deputation order.

National Investigation Agency

The National Investigation Agency is India’s federal counter-terrorism investigation agency. It was established under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency investigates offences affecting the sovereignty, security, and integrity of India.

Bastar Range and Anti-Naxal Operations

Bastar Range is a police range in south Chhattisgarh that covers seven districts. Sundarraj P served there for about 12 years and remained the Inspector General of Bastar Range for seven continuous years. He supervised anti-Naxal operations and coordinated with central paramilitary forces in the region.

Deputation and Police Service Structure

The Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter on 16 June 2026 to the Chhattisgarh government for his deputation to the NIA. Deputation is a temporary posting of an officer from a state cadre to a central government organisation. The Chhattisgarh government was asked to relieve the 46-year-old officer for his new assignment at the Centre.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National Investigation Agency was created by the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
• The NIA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The Indian Police Service was created under the All India Services framework.
• Bastar Range includes seven districts in south Chhattisgarh.

Anti-Naxal Policing in Chhattisgarh

Naxalism is linked to Maoist insurgency in parts of central and eastern India. Chhattisgarh has remained one of the main theatres of anti-Naxal operations, especially in Bastar division. Central armed police forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force have operated with state police units in the region. The Union government set 31 March 2026 as the deadline for ending Naxalism from the region and the country. The NIA handles cases related to terrorism, insurgency, and other scheduled offences under Indian law.