C. Sylendra Babu


Dr. C. Sylendra Babu is a retired Indian Police Service Officer who served as the 31st Director General of Police and Head of Police Force, Tamil Nadu Police. In addition to his distinguished law enforcement career, he is a Tamil author, motivational speaker, mentor for civil services aspirants and a fitness influencer.

Early life and education

Sylendra Babu was born in the town of Kuzhithurai, Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. He attended the Govt Higher Secondary School, Vilavancode, Kanyakumari District. He has BSc from the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai and majored in agriculture from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Later, he obtained BGL and MA degrees in population studies from the Annamalai University and was awarded a PhD for his thesis on "missing children" by the University of Madras. In 2013, he obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resources. He holds a PhD degree in Criminology from the University of Madras.

Personal life

Babu has written a Tamil book on physical fitness. During the course of his police training, he was awarded the RD Singh Cup for Swimming at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad. In December 2004 he represented India for the 100 metres event in the Asian Masters Athletic Championships, Bangkok. He has also participated in several 10k runs such as the Chennai Marathon and the Coimbatore Marathon. He led a contingent of 26 marine commandos for the Half Marathon event in the 2014 Auroville Marathon.

Police career

Babu joined the Indian Police Service as a member of the 1987 batch. He was trained at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad. He has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), in Dharmapuri, Gobichettipalayam, Salem and Dindigul and as the Superintendent of Police, in Chengalpattu, Sivagangai, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram districts and as the [Deputy Commissioner of Police (India)|Commissioner of Police (India)|Deputy Commissioner of Police], Adayar-Chennai. He has also served as the [Deputy inspector general of police|Deputy List of police ranks in India|Inspector-General (DIG) of Police] of Viluppuram Range and as the Joint Commissioner of Police, Chennai. Later, he became the DIG of Police, Tiruchirapalli before becoming the Chief Vigilance Officer in Karur, served as Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore prior to becoming Inspector-General for Northern Zone, Chennai.
In April 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Additional Director-General of Police of Prisons, Tamil Nadu. Later, he was appointed the ADGP of Coastal Police and then appointed as the ADGP of Railway Police. In March 2019, he was promoted as the Director General of Police of Railway Police.
During his tenure as the commissioner of Coimbatore city, he introduced computer literacy program in various schools in association with Lead India 2020. The schools are also adopted by the local police station under the program. He has organised free karate camps for children from the poor economic section. He has also initiated karate camps in various women's colleges.
Babu played a pivotal role in building the TN Coastal Security Group of Tamil Nadu and its interoperability with other forces. He organized several security and disaster response drills and camps with the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Management Agency and NGOs like India Red Cross and Survival Instincts.
On June 30, 2021, he took charge as DGP of Tamil Nadu Police.

Ranks held

InsigniaRankDate Acquired
DGP and Head of Police Force30 June 2021
Director General of Police – DGP11 March 2019
Additional Director-General of Police – ADGP22 April 2012
Inspector-General – IG2007
Deputy Inspector-General – DIG2001
Superintendent of Police – SP1992
Assistant Superintendent of Police – ASPOctober 1989

Awards and honours

Sports

Babu was manager of the Indian national athletic team in various events. He held this role for the 2002 Asian Athletics Championships – Colombo, Sri Lanka, the 2003 World Championships in Athletics – Paris, France and the 2007 World Championships in Athletics – Osaka, Japan. He was also appointed an observer of the Indian athletics contingent for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing.
Babu was the president of the Throwball Federation of India, Tamil Nadu and also the vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Athletic Association. During his tenure as the president of the Coimbatore Rifle Club, from February 2010 to June 2011, he took the initiative to open rifle clubs in various schools across Tamil Nadu.
On 8 February 2013, Babu organized and participated in an 890 km cycle rally from Chennai to Kanyakumari along with the members of Coastal Security Group and Indian Coast Guard. The rally was over a period of 10 days and aimed at creating awareness about the functioning of Coastal police and the Coast Guard among coastal residents. He has also participated in various police and civilian shooting competitions.
While serving as the ADGP coastal security group, Babu cycled from Chennai to Kanyakumari - which is approximately 700 km. In 2017, he was a member of a cycling expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari covering 4,500 km in 32 days. Babu is a Super Randonneur, having completed 600 km bicycle ride between Chennai to Rameshwaram in 36 hours.
In March 2018, Babu lead a team of 9 Coastal Police Officers and swam 18 nautical miles across the Palk Strait in 12 hours.

Books

You Too Can Become an I.P.S. Officer Neengalum IPS Adigaari Aagalam Boys & Girls - Be Ambitious Principles of Success in Interview A Guide to Health & Happiness Sathikka Asaippadu Udalinai Urithi Sei Avarkalal Mudiyum Endral Nammalum Mudiyum Americavil 24 NaatkalUngalukana 24 por vidhigal Unakkul oru Thalaivan
  • ''Sinthiththa Velaiyil''