IAS officerAbhijit Vijay Chaudhari (IAS:2012:AGMUT) has been appointed as Deputy Financial Advisor (Director level) in the Border Security Force (BSF), Chandigarh, for a period of three years.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (April 21, 2026), the competent authority has approved his appointment on deputation basis under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in terms of the Central Staffing Scheme, for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
He will replace Nitika Pawar (IAS:2012:AGMUT), who had been serving in the post since April 2023 and was recently appointed as General Manager, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Punjab Region, on January 30, 2026, for a period of three years.
Chaudhari has been serving in the Chandigarh Administration since March 15, 2024, where he handled multiple departments, including Education, Tourism Development Corporation, Vigilance, Environment & Forest, Home, and Law & Justice.
Prior to his posting in Chandigarh, he served in Puducherry as Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.
Senior Odisha cadre IAS officer Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya (IAS:2009:OD) finally got relief from the High Court, which has quashed a three-year-old vigilance case against him. The court ruled that the prosecution was undermined by a flawed sanction process under anti-corruption law while noting that “the issue relating to sanction discloses a serious procedural infirmity.”
The IAS officer is currently posted as Secretary of the Odia language, literature, and culture department.
The High Court judgment was passed on April 17 by the single-judge bench of Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi. The High Court virtually set aside the order of the special vigilance court, which had taken cognisance of offences charged against Upadhyaya under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The case against Upadhyaya was filed following allegations of illegal gratification demanded and accepted by him for clearing bills of a supplier when he was serving as Director of Horticulture.
Justice Panigrahi, while considering the criminal miscellaneous petition filed by Upadhyay, focused on the need for prior sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and set aside the special judge’s order in the absence of a proper prosecution sanction.
The HC also flagged the delay in proceedings, noting that although cognisance was taken over two years ago, charges have not yet been framed. “Allowing the proceeding to continue despite the unresolved defect in sanction would only prolong a prosecution whose very initiation… is procedurally vulnerable,” Justice Panigrahi opined.
While observing that the issue went to the “foundational legality of the prosecution,” Justice Panigrahi quashed the cognisance order and all consequential proceedings against the officer. The judge, however, said that the competent authority was at liberty to reconsider the issue of granting prosecution sanction afresh in accordance with law.
IAS officer Preeti Yadav (IAS:2014:PB) has been appointed as General Manager (Regions) in the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Panchkula, Haryana, for a period of three years.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (April 21, 2026), the competent authority has approved her appointment on deputation basis under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, in terms of the Central Staffing Scheme, for a period of three years with effect from August 21, 2026 or from the date of assumption of charge of the post, whichever is earlier.
Preeti Yadav is presently serving in her parent cadre as Managing Director, MARKFED. She has recently been relieved by the Punjab government following a request from the Chandigarh Administration, which had sought recommendations of officers from Punjab to address the shortage of officers in the Union Territory administration.
A number of recent transfers of IAS officers from Delhi have created problems for key administrative positions in the national capital. In the past two months, at least 14 IAS officers have been shifted out of Delhi under what are called “routine cadre management exercises.” But it has widened the administrative gap as no replacements have been made.
Though, according to the official data, Delhi has a sanctioned strength of 130 IAS officers, only around 98 officers are currently in position. This means about 25%—or one in four—sanctioned IAS posts in Delhi are vacant. This situation has largely arisen due to recent transfers.
This is one aspect; its impact on governance is another as outgoing officers handled key portfolios such as ministerial secretariats, home department responsibilities, and municipal administration.
As per the Home Ministry’s orders, these officers have been transferred to AGMUT cadre regions, including Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, and Chandigarh. They will be relieved between April 18 and June 1.
An April 17 order lists seven IAS officers, including PWD and Water Secretary Rajeeva Shukla, Home and Education Secretary Anoop Thakur, and Additional Home Secretary Saumyaketu Mishra, who have been relieved from their Delhi positions with immediate effect. This followed a February 24 order where seven IAS officers were shifted to other Union territories.
The result is multiple departments are operating under additional charge arrangements, putting administrative coordination and execution timelines under pressure. Several important departments, including Urban Development, Transport, and Revenue, are currently being managed by officers holding additional responsibilities. This arrangement, while functional, overburdens existing officers and is bound to impact administrative efficiency.
Officials feel the absence of backfilling has created a temporary but significant administrative vacuum, particularly at middle and senior levels. They say there is a need to review routine transfer policies to match the needs of states and UTs.
The issue is further compounded by broader cadre-level constraints within the AGMUT pool, which caters to multiple UTs and smaller states. The reason is obvious—the total sanctioned IAS strength for the AGMUT cadre is 542, while around 412 officers are currently in position, leading to competing demands across regions.
Further, the shortage is also linked to structural gaps in the feeder cadre. DANICS has a sanctioned strength of around 309 posts in its Delhi segment, but actual numbers remain significantly lower due to promotions, deputations, and recruitment delays.
Officials estimate vacancy levels in DANICS at 25-35%, further straining the administrative pipeline.
According to an official, the Union Home Ministry, which manages postings for the AGMUT cadre, is expected to review Delhi’s staffing requirements in the coming weeks, but no official timeline has been given.
The timing of the shortage assumes significance as the current government is in the early phase of its tenure and relies on experienced bureaucrats for policy implementation and continuity.
Radha Katyal Narang (IRS-IT:2005), currently serving as Director in the Department of Official Language, has been prematurely repatriated to her parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (April 20, 2026), the competent authority approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to repatriate her on personal grounds with extended cooling-off.
Narang had been serving in the Department of Official Language since June 2025. Her five-year central deputation tenure was scheduled to end in September 2027, but she has been repatriated nearly one year and five months earlier.
She began her central deputation as Director in the Department of Tourism in September 2022, initially up to February 29, 2024, corresponding with the functioning of the G-20 Secretariat.
In February 2024, she was appointed as Director in the Department of Justice for the balance period of her five-year tenure up to September 7, 2027. Subsequently, in June 2025, she was laterally shifted as Director to the Department of Official Language under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the remaining tenure.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Civil Services Day highlighted a sharp rise in citizen-centric governance initiatives and administrative reforms across the country.
He noted that participation in the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence has increased significantly, with applications rising from 1,216 in 2023 to 2,035 in 2025, while the iGOT Karmayogi platform has onboarded over 88 lakh officials, offering more than 2,000 courses for capacity building.
Grievance redressal through CPGRAMS has expanded from around 2 lakh cases annually in 2014 to nearly 25–30 lakh now, with over 95% disposal and resolution time reduced to about 12 days.
Highlighting reforms, Singh said governance is shifting from “individual-based to institutionalised delivery” and from “rule-based to role-based administration.” He cited removal of nearly 2,000 obsolete rules, expansion of digital governance, and restructuring of performance evaluation based on programme outcomes.
He also pointed to growing global interest in India’s governance models, with countries like Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and South Africa studying systems such as CPGRAMS.
The reforms, he said, align with the theme of “Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile,” aimed at preparing civil servants for future challenges and India’s 2047 vision.
The function was presided over by C. P. Radhakrishnan as the Chief Guest. It was attended by senior members of the government’s top administrative leadership. Also present on the dais were Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan and DARPG Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma, reflecting the high-level institutional presence at the annual Civil Services Day gathering.
Droupadi Murmu, CP Radhakrishnan and Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings to civil servants across the country on the occasion of Civil Services Day, acknowledging their contribution to governance and nation building.
In a message, President Murmu praised civil servants for strengthening governance and public institutions. She said their role—from policy formulation to effective implementation—significantly impacts the quality of life of millions. Emphasising integrity and empathy, she noted that civil servants play a key role in fostering inclusivity and strengthening trust between the State and citizens.
Vice-President Radhakrishnan said civil servants remain an enduring pillar of India’s administrative framework and highlighted their role in delivering public services. He called for strengthening the resolve towards good governance and nation building.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Civil Services Day is an occasion to reaffirm commitment towards good governance. He noted that civil servants—from grassroots to policy-making levels—touch countless lives and contribute to India’s progress, and urged them to continue serving with excellence, compassion and innovation.
Amit Shah said the dedication and integrity of civil servants play a vital role in nation-building, while Nitin Gadkari commended their contribution to governance and public welfare.
Civil Services Day is observed every year on April 21 to recognise the contribution of civil servants to governance and development. The day commemorates the historic address by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947, when he described civil servants as the “Steel Frame of India.”
National Civil Service Day is observed every year on April 21 to celebrate Indian bureaucracy, to recognise the service of Indian civil servants. It is observed on this date, as it was April 21, 1947, when India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, addressed the first batch of civil servants at the All India Services training school in Metcalfe House in Delhi.
It was when Patel described civil servants as the “steel frame of India,” underlining their importance in maintaining unity and administrative continuity.
The day acknowledges the role played by Indian civil servants in policy implementation, governance, and public service delivery. The day is observed to motivate civil servants to uphold transparency and accountability, to encourage innovation in governance, and to reinforce commitment to citizen-centric service.
National Civil Service Day virtually highlights the enduring relevance of this institutional backbone in a rapidly transforming nation.
Besides maintaining law and order, civil servants play a crucial role in implementing government schemes and welfare programmes, managing disaster response and crisis situations, as well as ensuring delivery of public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
With digital governance and rising public expectations, the role of bureaucracy is evolving with a focus on data-driven decision-making and collaboration with the private sector and civil society.
The civil servants operate at central, state, and district levels, forming the backbone of governance.
The central government presents the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration on this day to recognise outstanding work by civil servants and districts in implementing innovative and impactful initiatives.
National Civil Service Day is a reminder of the critical role bureaucracy plays in shaping governance. Beyond policy-making, it is the administrative machinery that ensures continuity, stability, and delivery on the ground.
In what is considered an unprecedented development, the Samrat Choudhary-led new government in Bihar has again extended the tenure of former DGP K S Dwivedi (IPS:1984:BH) as Chairman of the Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC). He will continue to hold that position until he reaches the age of 68. This move is significant for retaining consistency in decision-making.
The state Home Department has issued an official notification in this regard. According to the order, this extension will be effective until the age of 68 or until further orders.
By doing so, the govt intends to send a message that it values experience and trust both as crucial factors for those in key positions. This has been done to ensure continuity in the Commission’s work and also to emphasize stability in the recruitment process.
The govt’s decision to extend his term will have a direct impact on the recruitment process as the Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission is a key institution involved in police recruitment. Therefore, having an experienced person in a leadership role is considered crucial for increasing its transparency and efficiency.
Having already served as the DGP, Dwivedi brings with him extensive experience and a deep understanding of administrative matters. That is the reason why his services are being utilized even after retirement by the Bihar govt. He was appointed as the Chairman of the commission on April 10, 2023. Now his term has been extended.
The government is working to strengthen the recruitment system, and this move is seen as a step in that direction.
This decision is being seen as a sign of confidence in him and reflects the government’s policy of retaining experienced leaders in administrative positions. The government virtually wants stability in key institutions, which can lead to consistency in decision-making and better outcomes.
Experts believe that such decisions may be seen in the future as well, with experienced officers being given responsibility where needed.
The government is said to be focusing on improving administrative efficiency as efforts are underway to improve areas such as recruitment and law and order.
The decision to extend Dwivedi’s tenure is seen as part of the govt’s strategy to accord priority to experience and integrity as the government believes that the contributions of experienced officers strengthen the quality of governance. This decision also clearly demonstrates the emphasis on continuity and stability.
In a disturbing development, allegations of harassment within the Police Department have surfaced in Karnataka, with an SP-rank officer writing to the state police chief seeking permission to expose alleged misconduct by certain IPS officers.
The complainant is posted as SP in the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) department. In the letter, the SP has alleged that some IPS officers in the state have been misusing their authority to harass subordinate staff. It has been claimed that a few IPS officers from outside the state were allegedly targeting Kannada-origin officers and misusing their positions to suppress them.
The SP has requested the DGP to facilitate a meeting with the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Home Secretary to present detailed evidence regarding alleged harassment, abuse of power, and injustice within the department.
In a separate but similar incident, an inspector of the West DCRE police station, Srinivas, released a video accusing senior officers, including the SP and a DySP, of harassment and mental pressure.
In the video, he appealed to the state government to intervene and address the issue.
No official response has so far been issued by concerned authorities.
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