New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS): Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rajiv was Wednesday appointed the new chief of paramilitary Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that guards India's vital installations, including airports and nuclear establishments.

"Rajiv, IPS, has been appointed as director general, CISF," a home ministry spokesperson said.

The 1975 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer, who goes by his first name only, is at present working as head of the National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence.

Rajiv, an M.Sc in physics, will take over charge Jan 31 from outgoing CISF head N.R. Das, who is retiring.

The CISF is a 1.47-lakh strong paramilitary force that provides security to nuclear and space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive government buildings and monuments.

The new chief takes over at a time when the CISF has drawn flak over alleged involvement of its men in unprovoked firing that killed a Class 12 student at a Kashmir power plant earlier this month.

The CISF has initiated an independent inquiry into the incident which is also being probed by the state government.