Home Blog Page 13

Former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s aide ex-IAS Deepak Kumar likely to join NITI Aayog

By
LO Bureau
-
Deepak Kumar ex-IAS

Retired Bihar cadre IAS officer Deepak Kumar (IAS:1984:BH), who served as Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is reportedly moving to Delhi along with him to assist him as he takes on a larger national role. Media reports point towards Deepak Kumar getting a role in NITI Aayog in a senior advisory position.

This is happening as Nitish Kumar is shifting to national politics, so his trusted aide is also expected to join him to ensure continuity in administration and policy. Deepak Kumar has worked closely with Nitish Kumar across multiple administrative tenures, emerging as one of his most trusted lieutenants in Bihar bureaucracy.

As per reports, the former bureaucrat will be placed in the NITI Aayog to serve as a bridge between the leadership and central policymakers.

Over a long career, Deepak rose from the post of District Magistrate of several districts, including Buxar, Nalanda, Hazaribagh, and Motihari, to holding key positions across departments such as Health, Urban Development, General Administration, Tourism, and Information and Public Relations in Bihar.

Deepak Kumar’s wide experience also saw him being posted as Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) before returning to Bihar as Development Commissioner.

He was later appointed Chief Secretary in June 2018 and was then appointed Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in February 2021.

The latest move to place him in the NITI Aayog signifies a strategic shift in bridging Bihar’s state leadership with central initiatives. 

IRS officers allegedly evicted from Odisha Raj Bhavan during PCCIT’s courtesy visit

By
LO Bureau
-
Map of Odisha

A controversy has erupted in Odisha after two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers were allegedly subjected to high-handed treatment and taken to a police station from Lok Bhavan during an official visit.

The incident occurred on Thursday when Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT), Odisha, Dr D Sudhakara Rao (IRS-IT:1990)—who had assumed charge on April 13—visited Lok Bhavan for a courtesy call on Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.

While Dr Rao and some officials were allowed to meet the Governor, two IRS officers—Manish Kumar (IRS-IT:2015) and Satya Prakash Mishra (IRS-IT:2023)—were asked to wait in a hall. Despite prior intimation and coordination, they were allegedly removed from the premises at the behest of the ADC (Police) and taken in a police vehicle to the Capital Police Station.

In a strongly worded complaint to the Governor’s Secretariat, Dr Rao termed the action “high-handed” and “unwarranted,” stating that the officers were on official duty under his instructions but were treated as unauthorised entrants. He also flagged that false allegations regarding their sobriety were made, which were later found to be baseless at the police station.

Describing the incident as an affront to the dignity of civil servants, Rao has urged authorities to examine the conduct of the concerned security personnel and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Copies of the complaint have also been sent to the Odisha Home Secretary and the Director General of Police.

Sources said Lok Bhavan has taken serious note of the matter and ordered an internal inquiry. The Commissionerate Police have also initiated a separate probe, describing the episode as a “serious misunderstanding.”

The incident has triggered concern in bureaucratic circles, particularly as it occurred during a formal courtesy visit by a senior officer who had just taken charge of his new assignment.

Supreme Court rejects plea against ECI’s transfer of bureaucrats in West Bengal

By
LO Bureau
-
SC on NCLT

After the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court too rejected the plea challenging the transfer of IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal by the Election Commission of India (ECI) following the announcement of elections in the state.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi heard the matter and rejected the plea against transfer. The apex court, however, has kept the question of law regarding the absence of consultation by the ECI with the state government open for hearing.

Before it, the Calcutta High Court had refused to interfere with transfer orders of Bengal bureaucrats on March 31, saying the mere transfer of a large number of officers does not, by itself, render the action arbitrary, capricious, or mala fide. The High Court, however, had added that the judgment would not come in the way of the individual aggrieved officers challenging their transfer orders. The High Court had also observed that a similar or greater number of transfers/postings of officers had taken place nationwide.

The case emanated from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Arka Kumar Nag seeking the quashing of transfer orders issued after the announcement of elections on March 15 last month.

The petitioner argued that the large-scale transfer of officers, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, and several District Magistrates, was arbitrary.

IAS Sanjay Kumar Singh emerges frontrunner for Secretary to new Bihar CM

By
LO Bureau
-
Sanjay Kr Singh IAS

As the change of political guard often triggers a bureaucratic re-alignment, this is happening in Bihar too. With a political transition having already taken place, it is now the turn of bureaucracy to feel the process of recalibration. With several senior IAS officers opting to proceed on central deputation, all eyes are now set on key appointments in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Thus, Bihar’s bureaucracy is virtually in a flux at this moment.

With IAS officer Anupam Kumar (IAS:2003:BH), who served as Secretary to former CM Nitish Kumar, moving to the Centre as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, the speculation around his successor in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) is flying thick and fast.

Among the frontrunners, Sanjay Kumar Singh (IAS:2007:BH) is being seen as a leading contender for the post of Secretary to the new Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary.

Singh is a seasoned bureaucrat currently serving as Secretary in the Commercial Taxes Department of the Bihar govt.

Before it, he was an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the Home Department and has served as State Project Director, Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC). He was Managing Director of the Bihar State Educational Infrastructure Development Corporation (BSEIDC) and has also served as Joint Secretary of the Building Construction Department.

Besides, like any IAS officer, he has worked as District Magistrate and Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC).

What goes in Sanjay Kumar Singh’s favour for this appointment to this crucial post is his wide familiarity with state governance and policy implementation.

The fact that this role demands close coordination between the political executive and the bureaucracy, and officers with prior experience across departments are often preferred for such assignments.

Though no official order has been issued yet, a formal announcement is expected soon.

  

 

IAS Hitesh Kumar S Makwana repatriated to Tamil Nadu cadre to avail promotion

By
LO Bureau
-
Hitesh Kumar S Makwana IAS

Senior IAS officer Hitesh Kumar S Makwana (IAS:1995:TN), currently serving as Surveyor General of India, has been repatriated to his parent cadre in Tamil Nadu.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday (April 15, 2026), the competent authority has approved his repatriation to enable him to avail the benefit of promotion in the state cadre.

Makwana has been serving as Surveyor General of India since November 11, 2023. Prior to this assignment, he was posted as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Notably, he was empanelled for holding Secretary-equivalent posts in the Government of India on February 28, 2026. During his central deputation, the Tamil Nadu government had also promoted him to the rank of Additional Chief Secretary on a proforma basis.

With his repatriation, he is now set to take up responsibilities in the state cadre in line with his promotion. Earlier, before moving on central deputation, he was serving as Principal Secretary and Chief Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi.

Karnataka govt extends DGP Dr. MA Saleem’s tenure till August 2027

By
LO Bureau
-
MA Saleem IPS

The Karnataka government has issued a notification continuing senior IPS officer Dr MA Saleem (IPS:1993:KN) as Director General and Inspector General of Police (Head of the Police Force).

The continuation is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment dated September 22, 2006, in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, which mandates a minimum tenure for police chiefs to ensure stability in law enforcement administration.

According to the official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Services-4), Dr Saleem will continue in the post until August 29, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Dr Saleem had initially taken charge as in-charge DG & IGP (HoPF) on May 21, 2025, following the retirement of Alok Mohan (IPS:1987:KN), who completed his two-year Supreme Court-mandated tenure. His appointment was subsequently confirmed on August 20, 2025.

Home Ministry asks Delhi govt to ensure 3 transferred IAS join new postings within one week

By
LO Bureau
-
Ministry of Home Affairs

The Union Home Ministry has taken a serious note of three IAS officers, transferred by it in February, not joining new postings and has asked the Delhi government to ensure they join their new posts within a week.

The ministry has also warned that they will face “consequences, including disciplinary proceedings and debarment from promotion” if they fail to do so. It has also clarified that no requests for cancellation of the transfer orders will be entertained at all.

The three IAS officers in question are K C Surender, Sushil Singh, and Pranjal J Hazarika, who were transferred from Delhi to Puducherry, Mizoram, and Jammu & Kashmir through a Home Ministry order on February 24, 2026.

These officers originally belonged to the DANICS, who were promoted to the IAS under the AGMUT cadre in February this year.

In the order, the MHA referred to guidelines that stipulate that officers shall be relieved to join their new segment within 15 days from the date of transfer.

It also reminded that in case of non-compliance of transfer orders, the officer would be deemed to be “stand relieved” with immediate effect from April 24 and is directed to join their new place of posting immediately thereafter.

The ministry has also warned that these officers will face consequences under the service rules, including disciplinary proceedings, debarment from promotion, etc.

These three officers are currently serving the Delhi govt. While Sushil Singh is posted as Director, Information and Publicity (DIP), Hazarika is serving as Special Director, Woman and Child Development (WCD) department, and Surender is Special Director of the Administrative Reforms department.

Telangana HC pulls up IAS for non-compliance of its orders

By
LO Bureau
-
Telangana CS Ramakrishna Rao

The Telangana High Court pulled up senior IAS officer Sandeep Kumar Sultania (IAS:1998:TG) on Wednesday for failing to comply with its orders regarding pending payments under the Mission Bhagiratha project.

Sultania, currently posted as Principal Secretary in the planning department, is facing contempt charges in the case.

The company filed the contempt case due to the non-payment of long-pending dues, despite earlier court directions. Saltania was Principal Secretary in the Finance Department then.

Justice T Madhavi Devi stressed that if the amount is not paid within the stipulated time, Saltania will have to appear before the High Court on the next date without seeking any exemption.

The contempt case emanates from a writ petition filed by NCC Limited seeking release of over Rs.180 crore towards certified bills for works executed under the Mission Bhagiratha project, for which even payment tokens had been issued.

The High Court had earlier directed the state government to clear the dues within two months along with interest at 6% per annum. The petitioner moved the contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the High Court’s directions.

The matter will be taken up on April 28 for reporting compliance.

Haryana IAS enlivens UN with his interpretation of Ambedkar’s global vision

By
LO Bureau
-
Raja Sekhar Vundru IAS

In an event that is bound to bring laurels to the Haryana bureaucracy, a senior state cadre IAS officer, Raja Sekhar Vundru (IAS:1990:HY), enlivened the United Nations by delving deep into B R Ambedkar’s global vision in his keynote address at the United Nations Headquarters on April 14.

The event had been organized by the Permanent Mission of India to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution.

The theme of the event was ‘Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Vision of Constitutional Morality and its Relevance for Multilateralism.’

Vundru, who is currently posted as Additional Chief Secretary in Haryana’s Transport Department, is a noted Ambedkar scholar.

At the UN event, he deftly explained Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, saying it reflects the spirit of multilateral cooperation, respect for global norms, and peaceful resolution of conflicts—core elements of the UN Charter (1945), which India signed as a founding member.

Vundru was clear in his thought when he said multilateralism was embedded as a foundational state obligation in Article 51 for India, as it committed independent India to cooperative internationalism, respect for global law, and peaceful relations—principles that continue to influence India’s role in the UN and world affairs today.

He pointed out that Ambedkar was aware of the development of UN ideals embodied in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and made a significant and well-documented influence on key parts of the Constitution.

According to him, Dr. Ambedkar repeatedly defended the justiciability of the Fundamental Rights in the Constituent Assembly, insisting that they must be enforceable against the State to be meaningful—directly aligning with the UN’s vision of rights that are real, not merely aspirational.

Vundu informed the august gathering that while introducing the draft Constitution in the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1948, Ambedkar had said that “constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realize that our people have yet to learn it. Democracy in India is only a top dressing on an Indian soil, which is essentially undemocratic.

Earlier, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, noted that Dr. Ambedkar’s ardent advocacy for instilling the spirit of constitutional morality among Indian citizens was very significant and unique. He identified common strands between the Constitution of India and the UN Charter.

Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS: Bio, Age, Edu., Rank & Posting

By
Santosh Suman
-
Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS
Hardik Satishchandra Shah

Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS is a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service from the Gujarat cadre (2010 batch). He is currently serving in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and has recently been elevated to the Joint Secretary level as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. This promotion reflects his growing role and the trust placed in him at the highest level of governance.

Hardik Satishchandra Shah – Quick Facts

  • Name: Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS
  • Batch & Cadre: 2010 batch, Gujarat cadre
  • Date of Birth: 3 July 1973
  • Age: Around 52 years (approx.)
  • Education:
    • M.E. in Environmental Science
    • LL.B. / B.L. (Law)
  • UPSC Entry: Joined IAS under Non-SCS category
  • IAS Rank: Not publicly available
  • Current Role:
    • Private Secretary to Prime Minister
    • Elevated to Joint Secretary level in PMO
  • Previous Roles:
    • Deputy Secretary, PMO (2019)
    • Director-equivalent level (2024)
    • Private Secretary in Ministry of Environment (2017)
  • State Experience:
    • Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board
    • Roles in Forest & Environment Department
  • Tenure: Up to 31 May 2029 (co-terminus basis)

Early Life, Age & Educations

Born on 3 July 1973, the hardik satishchandra shah age is around 52 years (as of 2025). He has built a strong career combining technical knowledge and administrative experience. Talking about hardik shah education, he has an impressive academic background. He holds:

  • M.E. in Environmental Science
  • LL.B. / B.L. (Law Degree)

His education in both science and law has helped him work effectively in areas related to environment, policy, and governance.

UPSC Journey & Rank

While the exact hardik satishchandra shah ias rank is not publicly available, he joined the IAS in 2010 under the Non-SCS category and was allotted the Gujarat cadre.

Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS

Hardik Satishchandra Shah Career & Key Roles

Before joining the IAS, he worked with the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, where he gained practical experience in environmental regulation.

After becoming an IAS officer, he held several important positions in Gujarat, including:

  • Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board
  • Senior roles in Forest & Environment Department

His expertise in environmental governance made him a key officer in policy-related departments.

Journey in Central Government & PMO

His central deputation began in January 2017, when he was appointed as Private Secretary to the Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

In September 2019, he moved to the Prime Minister’s Office as Deputy Secretary.

  • August 2020: Appointed as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • June 2024: Elevated to Director-equivalent level
  • Latest Update: Promoted to Joint Secretary level in the PMO

He continues to serve as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, with tenure up to 31 May 2029 on a co-terminus basis.

Why His Role is Important

The role of Private Secretary in the PMO is highly significant, involving close coordination with top-level administration and assisting in key governance matters. The elevation of hardik satishchandra shah ias to Joint Secretary level highlights his experience, efficiency, and reliability in handling crucial responsibilities.

FAQs – Hardik Satishchandra Shah

Q1. Who is Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS?

Hardik Satishchandra Shah is a 2010 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre. He is currently serving as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister at the Joint Secretary level in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Q2. What is Hardik Satishchandra Shah’s education?

Talking about hardik satishchandra shah education, he holds an M.E. in Environmental Science and a law degree (LL.B./B.L.), giving him expertise in environmental and legal matters.

Q3. What is Hardik Satishchandra Shah IAS rank?

The exact hardik satishchandra shah ias rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is not publicly available. However, he joined the IAS in 2010 under the Non-SCS category.

1...121314...1,870Page 13 of 1,870

Latest News