Early life & education
Vipul Aggarwal trained initially in medicine: he graduated MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College and later pursued multiple higher studies including management and public-health qualifications. His medical background is notable because it shaped his later central deputation roles in the health sector (NHA and Ministry of Health). This unusual combination — a medically trained officer in the IPS — has been repeatedly noted in profiles of his career. (Wikipedia)
Entry into the IPS and early policing career
Aggarwal joined the Indian Police Service in the 2001 batch and was allocated to the Gujarat cadre. In Gujarat he served in several key district and city policing roles — including stints as Superintendent of Police (SP) and Joint Commissioner of Police in Ahmedabad — that built his reputation as an officer with both operational experience and an interest in administrative reforms. During his Gujarat tenure he worked on standard policing tasks, district administration, and reform initiatives that often attracted media attention. (Wikipedia)
Transition to policy roles — National Health Authority & Centre
Around 2020 Vipul Aggarwal moved to central deputation, taking on roles that leveraged his medical training. He was appointed deputy CEO of the National Health Authority (NHA), the implementing body for Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — India’s large national health insurance/assurance programme — where he was involved with digital health initiatives and scheme implementation. Later he was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Health & Family Welfare, a rare move that combined policing experience with health-policy leadership. These roles positioned him at the intersection of governance, technology and public health.
Appointment as Principal Commissioner, DDA (Delhi)
In March 2024 Dr. Vipul Aggarwal was appointed Principal Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on central deputation — a senior administrative role charged with urban planning, housing allotment, and development works in the national capital region. His DDA post drew media coverage because it marked a shift from health policy back to a civic-administration portfolio. Subsequent reports indicate that his central deputation at DDA was approved for extension, keeping him in the role beyond the original tenure. (Elets eGov)
Notable initiatives and administrative style
Across his various postings Aggarwal has been described in public reporting and interviews as a data-oriented administrator who emphasizes process reforms, digital platforms and measurable outcomes. At the NHA he engaged with digital health architecture and implementation issues for Ayushman Bharat; at DDA his public statements and official actions (as reported) reflected an emphasis on accountability, urban planning deliverables and reforming internal procedures. His cross-sector experience — policing, public health, urban administration — makes him a distinctive example of an officer working across functional silos.
Controversies & legal episode: Sohrabuddin / Tulsiram Prajapati cases
The most significant controversy in Vipul Aggarwal’s public life arises from the long-running investigations into the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter cases (events spanning mid-2000s onward). Aggarwal was arrested in 2010 in connection with the probe and spent time in custody. Over the course of years the legal proceedings evolved: he was granted bail, later reinstated to service, and by 2018 court proceedings resulted in discharge for lack of evidence for some accused. The episode was widely reported and remains a notable legal and public-reputation chapter in his career; the case itself involved multiple officers and complex prosecutorial developments that attracted national media attention. (For reporting on CBI positions and court hearings see cited coverage.) (Wikipedia)
Media presence & public communication
Aggarwal has maintained an active public profile through interviews and social media. During his tenure at the NHA he participated in recorded interviews, webinars and government dialogues explaining digital health initiatives. His X/Twitter handle posts reflect updates from his official assignments and engagements. Such visibility has both helped his public image as a technocratic administrator and made his actions more accessible to scrutiny. (X (formerly Twitter))
Assessing legacy and current standing
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Cross-sector experience: Few IPS officers pair clinical training with frontline policing and central administration in health and urban governance; this breadth is central to assessments of his career. (Wikipedia)
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Operational reputation vs. legal shadow: Media and colleagues have highlighted his operational competence and administrative output, but the Sohrabuddin/Tulsiram case remains the main controversy that complicated his career trajectory for several years. Court outcomes and reinstatements have resolved parts of the legal burden, yet the episode remains a frequent topic in profiles and retrospectives. (The Indian Express)
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Ongoing central role (as of latest reports): Recent press items show his DDA deputation extended, signalling continued central trust in his administrative capability. (Indian Masterminds)
Key timelines (quick reference)
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2001: Joined Indian Police Service (IPS), Gujarat cadre. (Wikipedia)
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2000s–2010s: District and city policing roles across Gujarat (SP posts; Ahmedabad leadership roles). (Wikipedia)
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2010: Arrested in connection with post-encounter investigations (Sohrabuddin/Tulsiram Prajapati cases); legal process followed over years. (The Indian Express)
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~2014–2018: Bail, reinstatement, and eventual discharge in parts of the cases as courts adjudicated evidence and charges. (The Times of India)
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2020: Appointed Deputy CEO, National Health Authority (NHA) — central role in Ayushman Bharat implementation.
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2023: Appointed Joint Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare (central deputation).
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March 2024: Appointed Principal Commissioner, Delhi Development Authority (DDA); tenure subsequently extended. (Elets eGov)
Top interesting facts
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Medical doctor turned IPS officer: Vipul Aggarwal’s MBBS and medical training (Maulana Azad Medical College) make him unusual among police officers and helped him later shift into central health administration posts. (Wikipedia)
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Cross-disciplinary central deputations: He has held senior positions both in health (NHA, Ministry of Health) and urban administration (DDA), reflecting versatility. (Elets eGov)
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Public dialogues on digital health: While at NHA he was visible as a proponent of digital health platforms under Ayushman Bharat/NDHM.
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High-profile legal history: The Sohrabuddin/Tulsiram Prajapati investigations and related court proceedings are an enduring part of his public profile. (The Indian Express)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Vipul Aggarwal still an IPS officer?
A: Yes. He is a 2001-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre who has been on central deputation to different agencies; recent reporting shows his deputation as Principal Commissioner at DDA was extended. (Indian Masterminds)
Q: What was his role at the National Health Authority?
A: He served as Deputy CEO of the NHA and worked on aspects of Ayushman Bharat implementation and digital health initiatives. His medical background supported this policy/implementation role.
Q: Was he involved in the Sohrabuddin case? What happened?
A: Vipul Aggarwal was arrested in 2010 in connection with the Sohrabuddin Sheikh / Tulsiram Prajapati investigation. He spent time in custody and later obtained bail and was reinstated; parts of the case saw discharges for lack of evidence and related court decisions—making the episode a central controversy in his career. For detailed court records consult legal reporting and judgments cited in national press archives. (The Indian Express)
Q: What qualifications does he hold besides MBBS?
A: Public profiles note additional qualifications in management and public health; press profiles and his professional bio reference MPH and management studies alongside his MBBS. Exact degrees and institutions vary across profiles — consult official bios for the current list. (Wikipedia)
Q: Where can I find his official statements or recent announcements?
A: He posts and engages on social media (X/Twitter) and appears in government and industry interviews (NHA/Ministry webinars). Official notifications of appointments (e.g., DDA) appear in government press releases and coverage by eGovernance/administrative press. (X (formerly Twitter))
Notes on sources & what I checked
This profile draws from public reporting, government appointment notices, media interviews, and archival news coverage. The most load-bearing claims (IPS batch/cadre, central appointments at NHA/Health Ministry and DDA, and the Sohrabuddin/Tulsiram legal episode) are supported by national press coverage and public appointment records.

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