The central government on Monday (23.10.2023) granted approval for the voluntary retirement of VK Pandian (IAS:2000:OD), an Odisha cadre IAS officer who currently holds the position of Private Secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Department of Personnel and Training has transmitted an official communication to the additional chief secretary of Odisha’s general administration department regarding this decision.
“In reference to letter No.GAD-SER1-PERS-0100-2014 dated 20.10.2023 from Government of Odisha on the above mentioned subject, I am directed to convey the approval of the competent authority for acceptance of voluntary retirement of Shri V Kartikeya Pandian, IAS(OD-2000) under Rule 16(2A) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement benefits) Rules, 1958 with waiver of the notice period as recommended by the State Government,” reads the Centre’s letter.
Pandian, who has been serving in his current capacity since 2011 and wields significant influence within the political landscape of Odisha, recently gained public attention due to his extensive travels to various districts within the state utilizing a government helicopter. Both the opposition parties, the BJP and Congress, have criticized Pandian, a native of Tamil Nadu, for alleged violations of service conditions.
REC Limited has achieved a significant milestone by securing a coveted position in the esteemed Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Global Standard Index, effective from September 1, 2023,
A recent report by Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research underlined REC’s strong potential as a contender for the November 2023 review. Projections from Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research suggest that REC could witness inflows of approximately $184 Million.
The inclusion of REC in the MSCI index solidifies its standing as a key player in the financial sector and the broader market. This achievement not only expands REC’s global reach but also highlights its remarkable influence and reputation on an international scale.
It is noteworthy that the value of REC’s stock has more than doubled over the past year, surging from Rs 100.20 on August 10, 2022, to Rs 216.65 on August 10, 2023.
The MSCI Global Standard Index, crafted by MSCI Inc., comprises a series of international equity indexes widely employed by investors, fund managers, and financial experts to gauge the performance of global equity markets.
The MSCI Global Standard Index is a comprehensive collection of international equity indexes developed by MSCI Inc. These indexes serve as a prominent benchmark utilized by investors, fund managers, and financial experts for assessing and gauging the performance of global equity markets.
The Union government on Sunday notified the appointment of new Chief Justices in six High Courts. The Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment of six high courts namely Delhi, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Gauhati.
Following judges have been appointed as Chief Justices of 6 different high courts:
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Chief Justice of Telangana High Court, has been transferred to Delhi High Court as Chief Justice.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Telangana High Court has been elevated as the Chief Justice of Telangana High Court.
Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed of Bombay High Court has been appointed as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Justice Vipin Sanghi, Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court has been appointed as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court.
Justice Shinde Sambhaji Shiwaji of Bombay High Court has been appointed as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Rashmin Manharbhai Chhaya of Gujarat High Court has been appointed as Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Monday (May 25, 2026) approved the extension of deputation tenure of two senior IPS officers serving in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for a further period of one year.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on May 25, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) proposal for extending the tenure of the two officers has been approved in relaxation of the IPS Tenure Policy.
Sonia Narang (IPS:2002:KN), Inspector General (IG), CISF, has been granted an extension in deputation tenure for one year beyond April 6, 2026. She has been serving in the position since September 2025. Prior to joining CISF, she was serving as Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Similarly, Abhishek Goyal (IPS:2005:KN), Inspector General (IG), CISF, has also been granted a one-year extension in deputation tenure beyond March 18, 2026. His appointment as IG, CISF, was notified on April 29, 2025. Before joining CISF, he too had served as Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate.
In a key development, senior IPS officer Vidya Jayant Kulkarni (IPS:1998:TN), currently serving as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been prematurely repatriated to her parent cadre Tamil Nadu.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (May 25, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal for her repatriation on personal grounds with the imposition of an extended cooling-off condition.
Kulkarni had been serving in the CBI since November 2021. As per her appointment order issued on November 18, 2021, she was appointed for a tenure of five years. However, she is now being repatriated around six months before the completion of her tenure.
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice Meenakshi M Rai of the Sikkim High Court as the next Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The decision was taken in the Collegium meeting held on May 22, 2026.
Justice Rai has been recommended following the retirement of present Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo. He is set to retire on June 4, 2026.
Justice Rai is currently serving as a Judge of the Sikkim High Court.
With the vacancy coming up next month, the Collegium has moved to recommend her name for the top post in the Patna High Court.
The Election Commission of India on Monday (May 25, 2026) appointed Neelam Meena (IAS:1998:WB) as the new Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal.
She was selected from a panel of three IAS officers sent by the West Bengal government. The panel included Neelam Meena,Tanmay Chakrabarty (IAS:2006:WB) and Moumita Godara Basu (IAS:2007:WB). The Election Commission has now picked Meena for the post.
The appointment comes after Manoj Kumar Agarwal (IAS:1990:WB) was made Chief Secretary of West Bengal. Agarwal had been serving as Chief Electoral Officer since March 2025. He was handling key election and administrative work during this period.
After his appointment as Chief Secretary, the process to select a new CEO was started.
The Haryana government on Monday (May 25, 2026) carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle in the state, reassigning 24 officers, including 6 IAS and 18 HCS officers. The exercise also witnessed key district-level changes, with the government transferring two Deputy Commissioners.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
Virender Kumar Dahiya (IAS:2013:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Panipat; Director, Environment Haryana and Special Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife Department, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Secretariat Establishment, while retaining his charge as Director, Environment Haryana and Special Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife Department.
Dr Harish Kumar Vashishth (IAS:2016:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Palwal, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Panipat.
Dr Jainder Singh Chhillar (IAS:2016:HY), Special Secretary, Finance Department and Chief Executive Officer, Haryana Pariwar Suraksha Nyas, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Palwal.
Samwartak Singh Khangwal (IAS:2019:HY), Additional Secretary, Secretariat Establishment, Vigilance Officer-HAFED and Director, SCERT, Gurugram, has been transferred and posted as Administrator, HSVP, Faridabad and Additional Director, Urban Estate, Faridabad.
Shashvat Sangwan (IAS:2022:HY), Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), has been given additional charge as Chief Executive Officer, Haryana Parivar Pehchan Authority and Additional Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department.
Utsav Anand (IAS:2022:HY), Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Hisar, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Palwal.
Shalini Chetal (HCS:2011), Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Hisar, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Hisar.
Manish Kumar Lohan (HCS:2013), Additional Director, Civil Aviation; Additional Director, Mines & Geology and Additional Director, Information, Public Relations & Languages, has been relieved of the charge of Additional Director, Mines & Geology Haryana and Additional Director, Information, Public Relations & Languages Haryana and posted as Additional Director, Civil Aviation Haryana.
Ruchi S Bedi (HCS:2013), Additional Director (Establishment), Housing for All Haryana and Additional Mission Director, Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Pariwar Utthan Yojana (MMAPUY), has been given additional charge as Additional Excise & Taxation Commissioner (Administration), Haryana.
Ashutosh Rajan (HCS:2014), Flying Squad Officer, Excise & Taxation Department, has been transferred and posted as Additional Director (Administration), Development & Panchayats.
Shambhu (HCS:2016), Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Shahbad, has been given additional charge as Additional Director, Consolidation of Land Holdings & Land Records Haryana.
Anil Kumar Yadav (HCS:2016), awaiting orders of posting, has been transferred and posted as Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, NIT Faridabad.
Dr Kuldeep Singh (HCS:2016), awaiting orders of posting, has been transferred and posted as Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Vyaspur.
Manoj Kumar-I (HCS:2019), awaiting orders of posting, has been transferred and posted as District Transport Officer-cum-Secretary, RTA Narnaul.
Jaspal Singh (HCS:2019), Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Vyaspur, has been transferred and posted as Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Chhachhrauli.
Anil Kumar Doon (HCS:2019), Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Pehowa, has been transferred and posted as District Municipal Commissioner, Jind.
Anita Adhikari (HCS:2020), Registrar, Haryana State Pharmacy Council, Panchkula and Joint Labour Commissioner (Administration), Haryana, has been given additional charge as Joint Director (Administration), Health Services Haryana.
Rohit Kumar (HCS:2020), Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Chhachhrauli, has been transferred and posted as City Magistrate, Hisar.
Amit Rana (HCS:2020), District Registrar, Firms and Societies, Gurugram, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Municipal Corporation Faridabad.
Anmol (HCS:2020), Managing Director, Cooperative Sugar Mills, Sonipat, has been given additional charge as CEO, Zila Parishad, Sonipat and CEO, DRDA, Sonipat.
Arpit Singh (HCS:2023), awaiting orders of posting, has been transferred and posted as City Magistrate, Nuh.
Monika (HCS:2023), City Magistrate, Karnal, has been transferred and posted as Joint Director, Department of Future.
Pramesh Singh (HCS:2023), Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Guhla, has been transferred and posted as City Magistrate, Kaithal.
Aashish Kumar (HCS:2023), City Magistrate, Kurukshetra, has been given additional charge as Estate Officer, HSVP, Kurukshetra.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has raised questions over the discontinuation of publication of paper-wise marks of successful candidates in the Civil Services Examination (CSE), while also pointing out contradictory positions taken by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on the issue.
The matter came up during the hearing of a second appeal filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by UPSC aspirant Aniket Kumar Gupta, who sought disclosure of detailed marks secured by recommended candidates in General Studies papers, optional subjects, Essay and Personality Test for examinations conducted between CSE 2014 and CSE 2023.
The appellant argued that till CSE 2017, UPSC used to publicly disclose paper-wise marks of recommended candidates. However, from CSE 2018 onwards, only aggregate written marks and interview scores have been published, without any subject-wise breakup. According to him, this significantly reduced transparency in the examination process.
During the hearing, the applicant argued that the absence of official paper-wise data has created an information gap that is being exploited by coaching institutes. He submitted that several coaching centres allegedly make exaggerated and unverifiable claims regarding toppers’ performances and “high-scoring” optional subjects, influencing aspirants in their selection of optional papers. According to him, many candidates, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, end up relying on promotional claims rather than verified information while making critical decisions about optional subjects.
Interestingly, the Department of Personnel and Training also expressed concern over the role of coaching institutes, though from a different perspective. DoPT argued that public disclosure of detailed subject-wise marks could itself be misused by coaching centres, which may selectively highlight performances in certain optional subjects and create misleading perceptions among aspirants regarding “high-scoring” subjects.
UPSC, meanwhile, defended the non-disclosure by stating that detailed paper-wise marks constitute “personal information” relating to individual candidates. DoPT also supported the continuation of the existing practice, arguing that such detailed information may be susceptible to misuse.
However, the CIC observed inconsistencies in the positions adopted by UPSC and DoPT. While DoPT submitted that subject-wise marks are maintained solely by UPSC, UPSC informed the Commission that all such information is shared with DoPT. The Commission also noted that neither authority was able to produce supporting circulars, policy documents or file notings explaining why publication of paper-wise marks was discontinued after 2017.
The Commission further observed that the basis for discontinuing the earlier practice had not been satisfactorily clarified and noted that several arguments raised by the appellant remained unanswered. Information Commissioner Anandi Ramalingam has now directed DoPT to submit comprehensive written submissions along with relevant records, policy decisions and supporting documents explaining the rationale behind discontinuing the publication of detailed marks.
The Commission has also asked DoPT to explain why it should not recommend reinstating the earlier practice of publishing paper-wise marks of recommended candidates in the Civil Services Examination.
With the retirement of Odisha DGP Y B Khurania (IPS:1990:OR) due on August 31, the process of selecting his successor has entered in crucial stage, with the state government proposing a panel of 11 senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The move comes after the Commission reportedly asked the state to broaden its earlier list of three officers, paving the way for a wider selection pool before a final shortlist is prepared. According to officials, Odisha had initially forwarded three names earlier this month, but following UPSC’s directions, the state last week submitted an expanded panel of 11 eligible officers.
The panel of probable candidates includes 1990-batch IPS officer Sudhanshu Sarangi; 1993-batch officers Susanta Kumar Nath and R P Koche; 1994-batch officers Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa; 1995-batch officers Ritu Arora, Saumendra Priyadarshi, Santosh Bala and P S Ranpise; and 1996-batch officers Arun Bothra and Sunita Kakran. Among them, Sarangi, Nath and Koche are DGP-ranked officers, while the remaining officers are serving at the ADGP level with over three decades of service.
As per the established procedure, the state government forwards names of eligible officers to UPSC, which then scrutinises the candidates based on service records, seniority and other eligibility conditions before shortlisting three names. The state government subsequently appoints one officer from the final panel as the Director General of Police.
Officials said UPSC’s role is to select three names from a larger group of candidates and therefore forwarding only three names limits the scope of the process. Consequently, Odisha revised its proposal and submitted a broader panel of officers meeting the eligibility criteria.
Odisha currently has four DGP-ranked officers besides incumbent DGP Y B Khurania — Sudhanshu Sarangi, Susanta Kumar Nath, R P Koche and Vinaytosh Mishra. However, Vinaytosh Mishra, currently serving as DG (Crime Branch), is out of contention as he is scheduled to retire in November and does not meet the six-month residual service condition.
Though the final decision will be taken after UPSC prepares its shortlist, Sudhanshu Sarangi, Susanta Kumar Nath, and R P Koche are being viewed as front-runners, while Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa are also emerging as strong contenders for the top police post.
Mumbai/Gurugram: REC Limited has been honoured with the “NBFC of the Year” award at the 3rd Annual Bharat NBFC & FinTech Summit & Awards 2026, recognising its significant contribution towards financing and strengthening India’s infrastructure and power sector.
The award was received on behalf of REC by Alok Kumar, CPM, REC Regional Office, Mumbai, during the award ceremony. The recognition highlights REC’s continued efforts in supporting infrastructure growth and strengthening the financial ecosystem through responsible and sustainable financing practices.
The recognition reflects REC’s commitment towards sustainable growth, operational excellence and long-term value creation. It also underlines the organisation’s focus on nation-building initiatives while maintaining stakeholder confidence and supporting key sectors of the economy.
REC has played a significant role in India’s power and infrastructure development through innovative financing solutions and strategic investments aligned with the country’s growth priorities.
The latest recognition further reinforces REC’s position among India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), with a continued focus on transparency, financial excellence and sustainable development.
In its first major bureaucratic reshuffle after assuming office, the UDF government has carried out a significant administrative shake-up, transferring 15 IAS officers, including six District Collectors.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao (IAS:2007:KL), GST commissioner, has been appointed as Secretary, Finance (Resources) Department.
PB Nooh (IAS:2012:KL), Special Secretary, Transport, has been transferred and posted as GST commissioner.
Inbasekar K (IAS:2015:KL), Collector, Alappuzha, has been transferred and posted, MD, Kerala Water Authority with additional charge of Joint Project Director, KERA (Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization Project).
Shaji V Nair (IAS), CEO, Cochin Smart Mission, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Alappuzha.
Vishnuraj P (IAS:2019:KL), Director, Industries, has been transferred as Collector, Kannur.
Arun K Vijayan (IAS:2016:KL), Collector, Kannur, has been transferred and posted as Director, Industries, with additional charge of MD, KSIDC.
Devidas N (IAS:2015:KL), Collector, Kollam, has been transferred as Director, KILA with additional charge of MD, Impact Kerala Ltd.
Nizamudeen A (IAS:2018:KL), Director, KILA, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Pathanamthitta.
Prem Krishnan S (IAS:2017:KL), Collector, Pathanamthitta, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary and OSD, Health Department.
Anie Jula Thomas (IAS:2018:KL), joint secretary and OSD, Industries, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Kollam.
Madhavikutty M S (IAS:2018:KL), Collector, Palakkad, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Kozhikode.
Snehil Kumar Singh (IAS:2016:KL), Collector, Kozhikode, has been transferred and posted as Director, Collegiate Education, with additional charge of Entrance Commissioner.
Sudhir K (IAS:2017:KL), Director, Collegiate Education has been transferred as Collector, Palakkad.
Arun S Nair (IAS:2020:KL), Entrance Commissioner, has been transferred and posted as director, social justice department with additional charge of Executive Director, Kerala Social Security Mission Limited; CEO Cochin Smart Mission and CEO Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority.
Sameer Kishan (IAS:2021:KL), Sub-Collector, Alappuzha, has been transferred as Deputy Secretary, Industries department additional charge of Director, Coir Department.
The Uttarakhand government on Saturday (May 23, 2026) carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle aimed at restructuring the state’s administrative setup. As many as 19 IAS officers were transferred in the exercise. While some officers were moved to new assignments, others were relieved of additional responsibilities and several were entrusted with fresh charges alongside their existing duties.
The most significant changes at the district administration level were seen in Dehradun and Bageshwar, where the District Magistrates were replaced. Ashish Chauhan (IAS:2012:UK) was appointed as the new District Magistrate of Dehradun, replacing Sachin Bansal (IAS:2009:UK), while Apoorva Pandey (IAS:2018:UK) was appointed as the new District Magistrate of Bageshwar, replacing Akanksha Konde (IAS:2018:UK).
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
BVRC Purushottam (IAS:2004:UK), Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy Development and Chief Electoral Officer of Uttarakhand, has been given charge one more department as Secretary, Higher Education.
Dr Ranjit Kumar Sinha (IAS:2005:UK), Secretary, Technical Education and Higher Education, has been relieved of Higher Education Department.
Vinay Shankar Pandey (IAS:2007:UK), Secretary to Chief Minister, Industrial Development, MSME Industries, Investment Commissioner-New Delhi with additional charge of Garhwal Commissioner, has been relieved of the additional charge of Garhwal Commissioner and given charge of Secretary, Civil Aviation, Medical Health and Medical Education, Commissioner-Health and PD/UK Health System Development Project.
Sachin Bansal (IAS:2009:UK), District Magistrate, Dehradun and CEO, Smart City Dehradun, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Planning Department.
Sonika (IAS:2010:UK), Commissioner-Tax; Inspector General-Registration; Mela Officer-Kumbh Mela Haridwar and Vice Chairman-Haridwar Roorkee Development Authority, has been transferred and posted as Mela Officer-Kumbh Mela Haridwar and Vice Chairman-Haridwar Roorkee Development Authority.
Anand Swaroop (IAS:2010:UK), Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Project Director-Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Project (U-PREPARE), has been transferred and posted as Commissioner, Garhwal Division.
Ashish Chauhan (IAS:2012:UK), CEO, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and Director, Sports & Youth Welfare, has been transferred and posted as District Magistrate, Dehradun and CEO, Smart City Dehradun.
Manuj Goyal (IAS:2014:UK), Additional Secretary, Technical Education & Higher Education and Mission Director-NHM, has been relieved of the charge of Mission Director-NHM.
Sanjay Kumar (IAS:2014:UK), Director, Skill Development and Training, Haldwani, has been given additional charge of Director, Social Welfare, Haldwani.
Abhishek Ruhela (IAS:2015:UK), Additional Secretary, Tourism Department, Additional CEO-Tourism Development Council, Dehradun and Project Director-URRDA, has been given charge of CEO-PMGSY.
Saurabh Gaharwar (IAS:2016:UK), Managing Director, SIDCUL; DG/Commissioner, Industries and CEO-Uttarakhand Khadi and Village Industries Board, has been given additional charge of Additional Secretary, Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Department and Project Director-Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Project (U-PREPARE).
Alok Kumar Pandey (IAS:2016:UK), Additional Secretary, Information Technology & Science Technology; Director-ITDA; Managing Director-HILTRON; CEO-PMGSY and Director-Audit, has been transferred and posted as Municipal Commissioner, Dehradun. He will hold the charge of Director, Audit.
Namami Bansal (IAS:2017:UK), Municipal Commissioner, Dehradun, has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary, School Education Department.
Sandeep Tiwari (IAS:2017:UK), Director, Social Welfare, Haldwani, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director-NHM and MD-GMVN.
Deepti Singh (IAS:2017:UK), Director General, School Education and Director, Employee Insurance Scheme, has been transferred and posted as Director, Minority Welfare, Managing Director-Minority Welfare Corporation and Director, Sports & Youth Welfare.
Prateek Jain (IAS:2018:UK), MD-GMVN, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner-Tax and Inspector General-Registration.
Apoorva Pandey (IAS:2018:UK), Additional Secretary, Drinking Water, Director-Swajal and Director-The Project for Improvement of Urban Water Supply in Uttarakhand, has been transferred and posted as District Magistrate, Bageshwar.
Akanksha Konde (IAS:2018:UK), District Magistrate, Bageshwar, has been transferred and posted as Director General, School Education and Director, Employee Insurance Scheme.
Praveen Kumar (IAS:2021:UK), Additional Director, Urban Development Directorate and Additional Municipal Commissioner, Dehradun, has been relieved of the charge of Additional Municipal Commissioner, Dehradun.
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