Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi (IAS:1990:HY) is set to continue at the helm for another year, with the central government extending his service period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. He was originally scheduled to retire on June 30.
As reported by www.legendofficers.com on June 19, the Haryana government, which had been actively considering the move, formally submitted a proposal to the central government seeking an extension for the incumbent top bureaucrat. The Centre has now given its approval.
Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary in February 2025 after his predecessor, Vivek Joshi (IAS:1989:HY), was elevated to the position of Election Commissioner of India. In addition to his role as Chief Secretary, Rastogi also holds the important portfolio of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning.
As Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain (IAS:1987:CG) prepares to retire on June 30, the corridors of power in Raipur are abuzz with speculation over who will succeed him. Four names are doing the rounds—three officers are serving in the state, while one has been on central deputation for years.
Among them, Renu Gonela Pillay (IAS:1991:CG) appears to be the frontrunner. Known for her administrative acumen, she currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, and holds additional charges as Chairperson of Vyapam and the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education. As the senior-most eligible officer in the cadre, she seems to have an edge.
Pillay is widely regarded as an upright officer who does not yield to political or administrative pressure. This uncompromising image, however, has sometimes led to her being sidelined. Still, when incumbent CS Amitabh Jain went on leave for a week in January 2025, she was entrusted with the Chief Secretary’s charge—an indication of the state government’s confidence in her. Her elevation to the top post could send a message about the kind of bureaucracy the government wants to shape going forward.
Next in line is Subrat Sahoo (IAS:1992:CG), currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Department of Religious Trusts and Endowments. He also holds additional charges as Director General of the Chhattisgarh Administration Academy and ACS, Department of Cooperative. Known for his efficiency, Sahoo enjoys the confidence of both the political leadership and administrative circles, making him a strong contender.
Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG) is also in the race, although he has been on central deputation since 2016. Currently serving as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, his return would likely indicate the involvement of the central government. In recent years, some Union Secretaries have been repatriated and appointed Chief Secretaries in BJP-ruled states. If such a move is repeated here, it may reflect similar intent. However, there is skepticism about his return, given his long absence from the state. Many view him more as a central bureaucrat than someone rooted in Chhattisgarh’s administrative setup.
The fourth name being discussed is Manoj Kumar Pingua (IAS:1994:CG), currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home and Jail. Though not the seniormost among the contenders, Pingua’s handling of a key department, coupled with his no-nonsense style and image as a result-oriented officer, has brought him into serious reckoning.
While Renu Pillay may appear to lead the race, the final decision could still surprise observers.
Manoj Kumar Sharma has been selected for appointment as Director (Catering Services) of Indian Railway Catering And Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on June 19, 2025. He is currently serving as Group General Manager, IRCTC (North Zone), Ministry of Railways.
Following his selection, the PESB has recommended his name to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Subject to the necessary vigilance clearances and ACC approval, he will be formally appointed as Director (Catering Services).
Pradeep Kumar Dhiman, General Manager, Tourism, IRTCTC
Anil Gupta, General Manager (HR & Co.Cord.), IRTCTC
Manoj Kumar Sharma, Group General Manager, IRCTC (North Zone), Ministry of Railways
Bijay Kumar, Chief Commercial Manager, Ministry of Railways
Ravi Prakash Chaturvedi, Executive Director, Container Corporation Of India Limited
Manoj Kumar Singh, Group General Manager and Zonal Head (East Zone), Ministry of Railways
Rashmi Gautam, Group General Manager (Static and Legal), IRCTC
The Haryana government on Thursday (19.06.2025) issued the formal appointment order of A Sreenivas (IAS:2004:HY) as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state and Commissioner & Secretary, Election Department.
www.legendofficers.com had exclusively reported on June 17 (Tuesday) that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had appointed A Sreenivas as the CEO and communicated the decision to the Haryana Chief Secretary through a letter dated June 16, 2025. Following this, the state government issued its separate order today confirming the appointment. Once Sreenivas takes charge, incumbent CEO Pankaj Agarwal (IAS:2000:HY) will be relieved.
Sreenivas currently serves as Secretary, Energy Department, and Managing Director, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited.
His name was selected by the Election Commission from a panel of three IAS officers recommended by the Haryana government. The other two officers on the panel were Atul Kumar (IAS:2007:HY), Transport Commissioner and Secretary, Transport Department, and Dusmanta Kumar Behera (IAS:2007:HY), who currently holds multiple key portfolios, including Secretary, Development & Panchayats Department, and Director General, Industries & Commerce and MSME.
Senior IAS officer Anuradha Thakur (IAS:1994:HP), currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Economic Affairs, has been appointed as a part-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The appointment was reflected on the market regulator’s website on Wednesday.
According to a government notification, her induction to the SEBI board is effective from June 16, 2025.
Thakur joined the Department of Economic Affairs as OSD in April and is scheduled to take over as Economic Affairs Secretary from July 1, following the retirement of incumbent Ajay Seth (IAS:1987:KN) on June 30.
She joins two other part-time members on the SEBI board: M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and Deepti Gaur Mukerjee(IAS:1993:MP), Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs. All three serve as ex-officio members in line with their positions in the government and RBI.
As earlier reported by www.legendofficers.com, the Haryana government was considering a proposal to seek a service extension for Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi (IAS:1990:HY). In the latest development, sources have confirmed that the state government has formally forwarded the proposal to the central government, seeking a six-month extension for the incumbent top bureaucrat.
Rastogi is due to retire on June 30. If the Centre approves the proposal, he will continue to serve as Chief Secretary for an extended term.
Under Rule 16 of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958, a Chief Secretary can be granted an extension of up to six months with the prior approval of the central government.
Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary in February 2025 following the elevation of his predecessor, Vivek Joshi (IAS:1989:HY), as the Election Commissioner of India. He also holds the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning.
The Maharashtra DGP has initiated disciplinary action against 75 inspectors who declined ACP promotions, directing department heads state wide to submit action-taken reports.
The immediate cause of the action was the directives from the Maharashtra home department between 2022 and 2024 clearing two promotion lists that promoted inspectors to the rank of ACPs or DSPs. When most of the inspectors declined their promotions, the top brass stepped in with the demand for action taken reports.
Of the 75 officers who declined promotions, Mumbai leads with 24, followed by Thane and Pune with nine each, the Anti Corruption Bureau and Pimpri-Chinchwad with four each, and others from various districts. Many believed refusals would go unchecked, but the DGP’s demand for status reports has sparked panic among the concerned officers.
The DGP office revealed that in the last two years over 500 senior inspectors were promoted to ACP ranks while another 215 were promoted in 2025. Yet, a significant proportion of the elevated official declined to accept the higher rung. While some may have a valid reason for refusing the promotion, most others have a slew of one or more reasons.
Reasons include ongoing departmental inquiries, negative remarks in service records, and unresolved notices. Some officers have even formally stated they do not wish to accept the ACP promotion.
An important reason not explicitly stated but confirmed by several officials on conditions of anonymity is that a Senior Inspector or police station-in-charge is a position that comes with invisible perks like power and influence, and many officers in this position would rather retain it than let it slip away. Not surprisingly, the DGP’s directive sends a strong message across that promotions are not a choice, and its refusal comes with consequences. The fate of officers declining promotions would be known in the days and weeks ahead.
Dr Sunil Gupta (IPS:2007:AGMUT) has been appointed as Deputy Director/Deputy Inspector General in the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (17.06.2025), the competent authority has approved his appointment against an existing vacancy on standard terms and conditions of deputation.
Dr Gupta, who has held several key positions in the Jammu and Kashmir cadre including IGP Crime and DIG of the Jammu-Samba-Kathua (JSK) Range, has been relieved from his current assignment with immediate effect and directed to take charge of his new role at the BPR&D.
In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Jharkhand government on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) issued transfer and posting orders for 56 IAS officers. The large-scale movement has led to substantial changes across the state administration, impacting several key departments.
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has sought a response from the Karnataka government regarding the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikas Kumar Vikas (IPS:2004:KN), who was suspended following the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru that left 11 people dead and several injured.
The tribunal has asked the state government to explain the grounds and rationale for the suspension of the officer, who was serving as Additional Commissioner of Police (West), Bengaluru, at the time of the incident.
Vikas was among five senior officers suspended by the government, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda (IPS:1994:KN), the day after the tragedy at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stampede occurred during a celebration following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL title win on June 3. Vikas was reportedly in charge of stadium security.
The abrupt suspension of the city’s police leadership has raised concerns both within the police department and among the public. Many have questioned the lack of a preliminary inquiry and argued that responsibility was pinned on officers without a proper probe.
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