From IPS Officer to Governor: Who Is RN Ravi, Now Appointed in West Bengal?

Ravindra Narayana Ravi, popularly known as RN Ravi, has been appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal on March 5, 2026, following the resignation of CV Ananda Bose.

Before taking up this role, Ravi served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu from September 2021 until early 2026.

A former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Ravi has had a long career in security, intelligence, and government administration. Over the decades, he has held several key positions related to national security and conflict resolution.

Early Career in the Indian Police Service

RN Ravi belongs to the 1976 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS) and was part of the Kerala cadre. During his career in the police service, he worked in major investigative and intelligence agencies.

He served in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and later in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), where he specialised in issues related to internal security and counter-insurgency. His work in intelligence helped him build expertise in handling complex security situations in different parts of the country.

Role in National Security and Intelligence

Ravi later moved into senior national security roles within the Government of India. In 2014, he became the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, a body responsible for analysing intelligence inputs and advising the government on security matters.

In 2018, he was appointed Deputy National Security Advisor of India, a position that placed him among the top officials responsible for shaping national security strategy. In this role, he worked on policy matters related to defence, intelligence coordination, and regional security.

Key Role in Naga Peace Talks

One of RN Ravi's most notable contributions was his involvement in the long-running Naga peace negotiations.

He served as the government's interlocutor for talks with Naga rebel groups and played a central role in negotiating the 2015 Framework Agreement between the Government of India and Naga organisations. The agreement was seen as an important step toward resolving the decades-long insurgency issue in the region.

Governor of Nagaland and Meghalaya

After his work in national security, Ravi moved into a constitutional role. In 2019, he was appointed Governor of Nagaland. During this period, he also briefly held additional charge as the Governor of Meghalaya.

His tenure in Nagaland was closely linked to the ongoing peace talks and administrative oversight of the region.

Tenure as Tamil Nadu Governor

In September 2021, RN Ravi became the Governor of Tamil Nadu. His time in the state drew significant attention due to several disagreements with the state government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The disagreements involved issues such as pending legislative bills, the debate over exemption from the NEET medical entrance examination, and his suggestion that the state could be referred to as "Tamizhagam."

These developments often led to public and political discussions about the role of the Governor in state governance.

Appointment as West Bengal Governor

Following the resignation of CV Ananda Bose, RN Ravi has now been appointed as the Governor of West Bengal.

The appointment has already sparked political reactions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern about the decision, stating that the state government was not consulted before the appointment was made.

A Career Across Security and Governance

RN Ravi's career spans more than four decades and covers multiple fields - from policing and intelligence work to diplomacy, peace negotiations, and constitutional responsibilities as a Governor.
His appointment as the Governor of West Bengal marks the next chapter in his long public service career, as he takes charge in a state that will soon head toward important political developments with the 2026 Assembly elections approaching.