Senior diplomat Charanjeet Singh (IFS: 1996) was on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) appointed as the next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. He is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Shri Charanjeet Singh (IFS: 1996), presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador/PR of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the ministry added.
Dr. Adarsh Swaika (IFS: 2002), currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, was on Tuesday ( November 18, 2025), concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Republic of Somalia. He will continue to be based in Nairobi.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Dr. Adarsh Swaika (IFS: 2002), presently High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Republic of Somalia, with residence in Nairobi.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the ministry added.
Neeraj Agrawal (YOA: 2009) was on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. He is currently serving in the Ministry of External Affairs and is expected to assume his new role shortly.
In a statement, the MEA said, “Shri Neeraj Agrawal (YOA: 2009), presently posted in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the ministry added.
Abhishek Singh (IFS: 2003), who is currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been concurrently accredited as the next Permanent Representative of India to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He will continue to be based in Abuja.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Singh has been given additional charge as India’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS. He is expected to assume the new responsibility soon, the ministry added.
In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Punjab government on Tuesday (November 18, 2024) issued the transfer and posting orders of five IPS officers, effecting changes at the SSP level in three key districts.
The names of the officers and their posting are as follows;
Akhil Chaudhary (IPS:2012:PB), SSP, Sri Muktsar Sahib, has been transferred and posted as AIG Administration, ANTF, Punjab at SAS Nagar.
Suhail Qasim Mir (IPS:2017:PB), SSP, Batala, has been posted as SSP, Amritsar Rural.
Mehtab Singh (IPS:2017:PB), SSP, SBS Nagar, has been transferred as SSP, Batala.
Tushar Gupta (IPS:2018:PB), Joint Director, Crime, Vigilance Bureau, SAS Nagar, has been appointed as SSP, SBS Nagar.
Abhimanyu Rana (IPS:2018:PB), AIG Intelligence, SAS Nagar, has been posted as SSP, Sri Muktsar Sahib.
The Union Government has given IAS officers a last opportunity to choose their retirement pension plan: they must notify by November 30, 2025 whether they wish to stay with the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), continue under the National Pension System (NPS), or switch to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
According to a circular issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), many central officers have repeatedly deferred this decision despite prior chances. With the fresh November 30 deadline, the government warns that future flexibility will be “extremely limited.”
President Droupadi Murmu honoured Barmer District Collector Tina Dabi (IAS:2015:Raj) for her outstanding work in water conservation under the Catch the Rain programme, meant for rain harvesting with active public participation.
Tina Dabi has been an IAS topper and is one of the country’s youngest IAS officers. It was Dabi’s path-breaking initiative that ensured Barmer district bagged a cash award of Rs 2 crore for saving rainwater through tanka construction. She gave credit for this achievement to her team of administrative officers and government personnel of the Barmer district. She said she would make more efforts to achieve the best in the future.
Success does not come easily. So, Dabi virtually worked with a missionary zeal to construct water harvesting structures and tankas to conserve rainwater during the rainy season. The initiative proved crucial as villagers are now using the rainwater for drinking, which otherwise used to be wasted.
President Murmu emphasised the need to prioritise water conservation at the level of central and state governments, district administration, gram panchayats, and municipal bodies. She advised farmers and entrepreneurs to maximise production while reducing water consumption.
In a significant development, the Punjab government has conveyed to the Centre its No Objection Certificate (NOC) for senior IAS officer Dilip Kumar (IAS:1995:PB) to proceed on central deputation. The communication, sent on Monday (November 17, 2025), follows the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet’s approval of his empanelment for Additional Secretary–level positions at the Centre.
Currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, NRI Affairs, Dilip Kumar had expressed his willingness to be considered for a central posting. With the state government formally issuing its NOC, the officer is now eligible for movement to the Centre.
Meanwhile, a few more IAS officers from Punjab are reportedly exploring opportunities for central deputation. It remains to be seen when their turn comes.
Gorakhpur-born IAS officer Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal was honoured by President Droupadi Murmu with the Best District (North East Zone) award at a ceremony held at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan on Tuesday. What is heartening for this young IAS officer, currently posted as the District Magistrate of Sepahijala in Tripura, is that this is his third consecutive national honour for exemplary public service. Jaiswal said that this award would strengthen his resolve to serve society even better.
This Gorakhpur boy is virtually a native of Mundera Bazar in historic Chauri Chaura. Jaiswal’s pioneering work in water conservation, river rejuvenation, floodplain protection, and sustainable natural resource management for the district was recognised by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The award was given for a coordinated action supported by strong community participation all across the district.
Jaiswal explained his modus operandi, saying his team worked hard to cope with the problem of the depletion of water streams, seasonal shortages, and the urgent need for floodplain conservation.
It was under his leadership that Sepahijala district achieved the rejuvenation of 30 km of riverbanks, including habitat restoration, plantation of native species, and construction of embankments along with retention basins designed to improve water storage and curb erosion. As a consequence, the district recorded a sharp rise in groundwater recharge, with about 42 water bodies being revived. Similarly, the Rudrasagar Ramsar Wetland (2.4 sq. km) underwent hydrological restoration, boosting biodiversity and strengthening eco-tourism potential.
Jaiswal, a former doctor in the Indian Army, had earlier received the President’s Award for Bhoomi Samman 2023 and the National Water Award 2023 for reforms in Dhalai district and the National Water Award 2024 in Sepahijala.
The Punjab government on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) issued transfer and posting orders for 2 IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
Varun Roojam (IAS:2004:PB), Administrative Secretary, Transport, has been given additional charge of Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan, News Delhi.
Jaspinder Singh (IAS:2002:PB), SDM, Dina Nagar, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Moga with additional charge of Municipal Corporation, Moga.
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