Mahendra L. Kumawat is a former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), the border patrol agency of the Government of India. On August 1, 2009 he was succeeded by Raman Srivastava. He has also served as a Special Home Secretary. Kumawat was an IPS Officer of the Andhra Pradesh Cadre in 1972 as an Internal Security Expert had considerable experience in dealing with naxalism and terrorism. He was a member of the Anti-Naxalite Commando Force from 1992-94 and also proposed the National Police University, later approved by the Union Cabinet. He was awarded the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1989 and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service on 26 January 1997. He also served as the Chairman of Rajasthan Public Service Commission.