The Director of the Special Protection Group (Vishesh Suraksha Dal ke Nirdeshak) is the de facto head of India’s elite security force, the Special Protection Group, which is responsible for providing close protection to the Prime Minister and their immediate family. As the top authority, the Director oversees strategic planning, threat assessment, and coordination with other security and intelligence agencies. The current director is Alok Sharma since November 2023.

The Director of the Special Protection Group reports to the Secretary (Security), who serves as the de jure head of the SPG. The current Secretary (S) is Rajiv Singh, IPS.

History After the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984, a review by the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended an exclusive unit for the Prime Minister’s security. In February 1985, the Birbal Nath Committee proposed the creation of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), which was formally established as the Special Protection Group (SPG) on 30 March 1985 under the Cabinet Secretariat with 819 posts. The SPG was headed by a Director, typically an Indian Police Service officer of Director General rank. S. Subramanian, then Joint Director (VIP Security) of the Intelligence Bureau, became its first Director.

Power and responsibilities The Director of the Special Protection Group is assisted by Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and Joint Assistant Directors and his/her role includes: Operations – Responsible for close protection duties, including sub-units for Communications, Technical, and Transport. Training – Conducts continuous training in physical fitness, marksmanship, anti-sabotage measures, communications, and other close protection skills. Intelligence and Tours – Handles threat assessment, internal intelligence, and personnel verification. Administration – Manages human resources, finance, procurement, and related administrative matters.

Emolument, accommodation and perquisites The Director of SPG holds the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) to the Government of India. The post is accompanied by:

Official residence. Security cover as per central government rules. Eligibility for a diplomatic or official passport for foreign travel. Salary as per Pay Level 17 of the 7th Pay Commission.

+Director of SPG monthly pay and allowancesBase Salary (Per month)Pay Matrix LevelPay Level 17

List of Directors of SPG S.No. Name Assumed office Left office Prime Minister(s) 1 S. Subramanian 1985 1986 Rajiv Gandhi 2 Devendra Singh 1986 1990 Rajiv Gandhi 3 Trinath Mishra 1990 1993 V. P. SinghChandra ShekharP. V. Narasimha Rao 4 S. N. Tiwari 1993 1994 P. V. Narasimha Rao 5 Shyamal Datta 1994 1997 P. V. Narasimha RaoAtal Bihari VajpayeeH. D. Deve GowdaI. K. Gujral 6 M. R. Reddy 1997 2000 I. K. GujralAtal Bihari Vajpayee 7 T. K. Mitra 2000 2002 Atal Bihari Vajpayee 8 R. K. Das 2002 2004 9 B. V. Wanchoo 2004 2011 Manmohan Singh 10 K. Durga Prasad 2011 2014 11 Vivek Srivastava 2014 2016 Narendra Modi 12 Arun Kumar Sinha 2016 2023 13 Alok Sharma 2023 Incumbent

See also Secretary of the Research & Analysis Wing Director of the Intelligence Bureau Director General of the National Investigation Agency

References