New Deputy NSA's Appointment On Cards: Younger Chiefs and Experienced Coordinators?

In a major development, top sources indicate that names are being floated for a new deputy national security advisor in the NSA secretariat. The incumbent Deputy NSA, T.V. Ravichandra IPS(Retd), 1990 batch, who oversees cybersecurity and technology, is set to complete his tenure in June. 

Top sources add that the name of Special Secretary, R&AW, and IPS officer of the 1991 batch, A. Sunil Achaya, is under consideration for the next Deputy National Security Advisor. Sources note that his strategic acumen and awareness in handling critical security matters, particularly hands-on experience in high-security diplomatic regions abroad, are notable. For Achaya specifically, this represents an optimal career trajectory. His chances of becoming the next R&AW chief appear limited by tenure constraints, with one year remaining in service.

Achaya's prospects for the next R&AW chief seem to be bleak, but best suited for strategic coordination and assessment roles, which are currently required among Deputy NSAs, a top source said.   The security bureaucracy currently believes that juniors should have the opportunity to lead agencies, while the tight coordination required to maintain effective supervision and management of the strategic security setup across agencies and the NSA secretariat should rest on seniors, a top source added.