In a key development, three officers from different services have been appointed as Deputy Secretaries in the Department of Defence, Delhi. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued separate orders to this effect on Wednesday (November 12, 2025).
Pawan Kumar (IA&AS:2014), who was recommended for central deputation by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence.
Similarly, Vikas Khera (IRTS:2014), recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways, has also been selected for the same post.
Additionally, Rahul Raja (IRS-C&IT:2014), who was recommended by the Department of Revenue, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence.
According to the DoPT orders, all three officers will serve in their respective posts for a period of four years from the date of taking charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The order further states that they may kindly be relieved of their duties immediately with instructions to take up their new assignment in the Department of Defence, Delhi.
Raghvendra Singh (IA&AS:2013), who was recommended for central deputation by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, has been selected for appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), Mr. Singh will serve in the post for a tenure up to March 14, 2028 i.e., for the combined period of four years on Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) and Non-CSS deputation from the date he assumes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The central deputation tenure of Alok Malviya (IRS-IT:2006) as Director in the Department of Commerce has been extended for a period of one year.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Department of Commerce to extend Mr. Malviya’s deputation tenure beyond October 12, 2025, up to October 12, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Notably, Mr. Malviya was appointed as Director in the Department of Commerce on September 21, 2020, for a five-year tenure. He assumed charge on October 12, 2020; hence, his deputation period has now been extended beyond October 12, 2025, for one year.
Nalina Sofia (IRS-C&IT:2010), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Revenue, has been selected for appointment as Director in NITI Aayog, New Delhi, for a period of five years.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), Ms. Sofia will serve under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
KRS Krishnam Naidu (IRS-IT:2015) has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal for his appointment for a period up to November 20, 2027, i.e., for the balance period of four years of combined deputation with ex-cadre post, with effect from the date of assumption of charge or on a co-terminus basis with the Minister, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Anil Kumar, Chief General Manager, National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), has been assigned the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NDFDC.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for entrusting Mr. Kumar with the additional charge for a period of six months from September 12, 2025, to March 11, 2026, or until a regular appointment is made, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Notably, Naveen Kumar Shah (IAS:2000:AGMUT) had been holding the post since April 2023. He was relieved of the charge in August 2025 upon completion of his central deputation tenure.
Senior IAS officer Nitin Yadav (IAS:2000:HY), presently serving as Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO).
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 11, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the ex-post facto assignment of additional charge to Mr. Yadav from October 25, 2025, until Neeraj Kharwal (IAS:2007:UK) assumes charge as Managing Director, ITPO, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Notably, Neeraj Kharwal was appointed as Managing Director, ITPO on November 1, 2025. However, as he has not yet been relieved by the Uttarakhand Government, the charge of CMD has been temporarily given to Nitin Yadav.
In a key development, M. Angamuthu (IAS:2002:AM), currently serving as Chairperson, Mumbai Port Authority, has been assigned additional charge as Chairperson (JS level), Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (November 10, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to entrust the additional charge to Angamuthu for a period of six months from September 9, 2025, to March 21, 2026 or until a regular appointment is made, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Earlier, Angamuthu had served as Chairperson (JS level), Visakhapatnam Port Authority, with his appointment order issued in April 2023 for a tenure up to October 13, 2027. In September 2025, he was transferred as Chairperson, Mumbai Port Authority, With the latest order, he will now hold the additional charge of Visakhapatnam Port Authority once again.
With the departure of Rajasthan Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant (IAS:1991:RJ) to the Central Government as Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, bureaucratic circles in Rajasthan and Delhi are abuzz with speculation over his successor.
Whispers in the Rajasthan bureaucratic circle suggest that this time, the state’s top bureaucratic post may go to an officer currently serving in Rajasthan. According to this view, three names are doing the rounds: Abhay Kumar (IAS:1992:RJ), Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department and State Water Resources Planning Department; Shikhar Agarwal (IAS:1993:RJ), Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister; and Akhil Arora (IAS:1993:RJ), Additional Chief Secretary, PHED.
Notably, Abhay Kumar had been given additional charge of Chief Secretary from June 29 to July 7, 2025, when incumbent CS Sudhansh Pant was on an official visit to the United Kingdom. His name is, therefore, being prominently discussed for the top post.
However, given the Centre’s penchant for surprises, a twist cannot be ruled out if it decides — in consultation with the state government — to send a senior Rajasthan-cadre officer currently on central deputation to head the state bureaucracy. In that case, the possible contenders could be V Srinivas (IAS:1989:RJ), Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances and Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare; Rajat Kumar Mishra (IAS:1992:RJ), Secretary, Department of Fertilizers; and Tanmay Kumar (IAS:1993:RJ), Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Among these central deputation officers, Tanmay Kumar is said to be leading the race should the Centre decide to pick someone from Delhi.
In a sudden and surprising development, Rajasthan’s top bureaucrat, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant (IAS:1991:RJ), has moved on central deputation as Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi. The unexpected development has triggered widespread speculation within the state’s administrative circles.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (November 10, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Sudhansh Pant (IAS:1991:RJ) as Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, succeeding Amit Yadav (IAS:1991:AGMUT), who will retire on November 30, 2025.
According to sources, several reasons are being cited for Sudhansh Pant’s sudden transfer to the central government. The first reason, they say, relates to the overlooking of officers of his choice in key transfers and postings. Sources claim that a recently deputed IAS officer was not posted as per Pant’s recommendation, despite his approval.
The second reason reportedly stems from the bypassing of the Chief Secretary’s office — with several important departmental files reaching the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) directly instead of through the Chief Secretary. Pant is said to have been upset by this breach of established administrative protocol.
The third significant factor emerged after the transfer of Alok Gupta, the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary, in June 2025 as Principal Secretary, Industries. The move is said to have disrupted coordination between the CMO and the Chief Secretary’s Office, gradually sidelining Pant from key policy and administrative matters.
Pant is the second IAS officer to leave the Chief Secretary’s position in Rajasthan to take up a central assignment. Earlier, Rajiv Mehrishi (IAS:1978:RJ) had also moved to Delhi during Vasundhara Raje’s tenure as Chief Minister in 2013.
Pant, who took over as Chief Secretary on January 1, 2024, following the retirement of Usha Sharma (IAS:1985:RJ), is scheduled to retire in February 2027. His decision to move on central deputation nearly 14 months ahead of superannuation has surprised both bureaucratic and political circles in Rajasthan.
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