India's premier Counter-terror investigation agency is most likely to see changes at the top level. The present second-in-command, A.M Kuklarni, is set to retire this month, i.e January. There is only one sanctioned ADG level post on which Kulkarni got an upgrade to Special DG after his empanelment to rank DG in the centre. "Before vacum at DG level, a vacum at the second in command is most likely to be created" top sources said. The chances of extensions at the second in command level is slim, at least the practice of government not giving extension at second- in command level suggests so. Top sources say that in case of deadlock and no alternatives(considering an option of letting DG NIA to supervise the second in command or upgrading an IG to ADG level) then CRPF Special DG Nalin Prabhat might be laterally shifted/inducted to NIA at Special DG in NIA. "Prabhat has good operational temperament and served in hot zones having good counter-terrorism experience, " a well-placed source said. Prabhat's entry not only opens gates for operational breeding at the top level but also opens gates for the 1990-1991 batch to get the top post of NIA. The CRPF option is easy and adjustable for North Block, a top source said. Whaterver happens with DG NIA in March, the second-command is open for deserving/operatational IPS officers.