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180 IAS being recruited every year: Jitendra Prasad in LS

By
LO Bureau
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Govt.'s capacity-building exercise

The Union Government has said that vacancies in IAS and other services are regularly assessed, and all advertised IAS vacancies are filled while considering the reservation guidelines issued by the government. A total of 180 candidates have been recruited to the IAS through the Civil Services Examination each year since 2012, with 4 percent of these seats reserved for candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD).

This information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Personnel and Training Jitendra Prasad in a written reply on Wednesday.  

Earlier, when the government had shared detailed data on backlog vacancies in the Indian bureaucracy, the opposition parties had raised the issue of the government being silent on the numbers of civil servants belonging to the reserved categories working in the country.

Prasad added that currently, there are no backlog vacancies in the IAS as well as no backlog reserved posts in the IPS as of January 1, 2025.

The Personnel Minister also clarified that over the past five years, 245 candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), 135 from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 67 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) have been appointed to the IAS.

Similarly, 255 individuals from the OBC, 141 from SC, and 71 from ST have been appointed to the IPS during the same period (CSE 2020 to CSE 2024).

In a separate reply, the minister said that there are currently 1,029 vacant posts for Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers, with a sanctioned strength of 3,193.

Prasad further added that recruitment is a continuous process, and vacancies in these services are filled on a year-to-year basis considering the administrative requirements across the states as well as promotion prospects and career growth available to the officers.

Singh also mentioned that detailed information regarding sanctioned posts, personnel in position, and vacancies in various ministries and departments of the Union government is available in the annual reports of the Pay Research Unit, Department of Expenditure, which are publicly accessible.

In a separate response, he said that maintenance of detailed information regarding vacancies is the responsibility of the respective cadre controlling authorities/ministries/departments.

Singh was asked whether the government has conducted any preliminary study regarding estimated positions sanctioned, in position and vacancies across all central government ministries and departments.

The minister said that the occurrence and filling-up of vacant posts in various ministries/departments is a continuous process and that instructions are issued from time to time to ministries/departments for the filling of vacant posts in a time-bound manner.

He further informed the Lower House that vacancies in the Union government have been addressed in a mission-mode approach, with several lakh appointment letters distributed to recommended or selected candidates during the national Rozgar Mela events held since October 2022.

Supreme Court’s decision halts promotion of several HCS officers to IAS

By
LO Bureau
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SC on NCLT

In a major blow to career prospects of several Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers, the Supreme Court has temporarily halted their promotion to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) by staying a Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order and thereby reviving long-pending cases against them.

The High Court had, in its earlier order, quashed FIRs and chargesheets filed against these officers in connection with alleged irregularities in the 2001–02 recruitment process. It means the top court has revived those cases, which are bound to hamper their prospects of being elevated to the IAS cadre.

The SC’s decision once again highlights how long-pending legal disputes can effectively impact careers of administrative officers and structures of governance.

The High Court had quashed those cases—nearly two decades old—on the ground that they lacked sufficient investigation while terming the chargesheets invalid. The HC order had cleared the way for the HCS officers’ promotion to IAS.

But the state govt moved the Supreme Court against it and has secured a stay on it, stating that such serious allegations require detailed examination on merit.

Now, these officers fall under the “tainted” category, with the FIRs and legal proceedings having been effectively revived by the apex court. It comes in their way of promotion, as the vigilance clearance is mandatory for elevation to the IAS.

This means that even if their names figure on the promotion list, the Union Public Service Commission will not entertain their cases until the matter is resolved.

There are about a dozen of such HCS officers, who are going to be impacted by the apex court’s decision. The officers who are likely to miss the bus are Jagdeep Dhanda, Kuldeep Singh, Surender Singh, Veena Hooda, Jag Niwas, Kamlesh Bhadu, Vatsal Vashisht, and Sarita Malik.

Though this is not the final outcome, the legal uncertainty continues to cloud the future of these officers till it is decided by the Supreme Court.

Union Govt introduces CAPF bill in RS, amid dissent from opposition bench

By
LO Bureau
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CAPF Bill introduced

The Union Government finally tabled the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai tabled the bill despite objections from opposition members who submitted notices against its introduction.

The proposed legislation aims to create a unified legal framework for all five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)—Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB). The bill formalizes the deputation of IPS officers at senior levels in the CAPFs, a move opposed by CAPF personnel.

The bill proposes to reserve 50% of IG posts, 67% of Additional Director General (ADG) posts, and all posts of Special DG and DG ranks in the CAPFs for IPS officers on deputation, with rules under the Act overriding any conflicting provisions.

The bill says IPS officers are essential for effective functioning of the central paramilitary forces and Centre–State coordination. However, the CAPF associations have opposed the proposals, citing career stagnation among cadre officers.

According to Rai, the objective of the bill is solely to clarify the administrative framework, recruitment processes, and service-related matters of the Central Armed Police Forces.

The opposition Congress opposed the bill, saying it contravenes the Supreme Court’s order and undermines multiple legal victories secured by former CAPF officials in various courts.

It needs to be mentioned here that the Supreme Court, in its verdict on May 23, 2025, had directed the Centre to “progressively reduce” IPS deputation to CAPFs and conduct a cadre review within six months.

The Centre later moved the petition in the apex court to review its decision, but it was dismissed by the top court, making its order final. It was when the Union Cabinet approved the draft bill to formalize the IPS deputation to CAPFs through statutory intervention.

Congress leader Ajay Maken, who also happens to be a former Minister of State for Home, opposed the bill, arguing that it is detrimental to cadre officers. Maken raised the issue of career stagnation, saying it takes nearly 30 years to become an ADG, 20 years to become a DIG, and 15 years to become a senior commandant. In contrast, an IPS officer can become an SP or DIG within seven years and outrank a senior commandant.

But YSRCP MP Golla Babu Rao supported it, saying the legislation would bring administrative clarity and operational efficiency through a unified framework. He, however, urged the govt. to refer the bill to a parliamentary committee with CAPF representation, as it would impact the careers of over a million personnel.

However, various opposition party MPs moved the notices against the introduction of the bill.

Roopa Mishra gets 6-month extension as MoHUA Joint Secretary

By
LO Bureau
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Roopa Mishra IAS

IAS Officer Roopa Mishra (IAS:2004:OD) has been given a six-month extension as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday (March 25, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal to extend her deputation tenure February 2, 2026 for six months or until further orders.

Roopa Mishra has been working in this post since August 24, 2021.

She had come on central deputation for five years. Her term was to end on February 2, 2025. Before that, she was given a one-year extension till February 2026. Now, her tenure has been extended again by six months.

Before this role, she served as Director in the Ministry of Jal Shakti. She was handling Drinking Water and Sanitation from February 2020.

Senior diplomat Rudrendra Tandon appointed Secretary (East) in MEA

By
LO Bureau
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Rudrendra Tandon IFS

Senior diplomat Rudrendra Tandon (IFS:1994) has been appointed Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on Wednesday (March 25, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment. He will replace Periasamy Kumaran (IFS:1992), who has been in the post since April 1, 2025.

Tandon is currently serving as Ambassador of India to Greece. He has been in this role since June 27, 2023.

The Secretary (East) handles India’s relations with countries in East and Southeast Asia. The division also looks after ties with parts of the Indo-Pacific, Oceania and some regions of the Americas.

Earlier, Tandon served as Additional Secretary handling BIMSTEC and SAARC in the Ministry of External Affairs.

He has worked in several Indian missions abroad. These include postings in Paris, Algiers, Kabul and Moscow. He has also served as Consul General in Jalalabad.

He was Ambassador to the ASEAN Secretariat from July 2018 to August 2020. He later served as Ambassador to Afghanistan from September 2020 to August 2021.

In India, he has held roles such as Under Secretary (Pakistan), Director in the Prime Minister’s Office, Director (Pakistan), Joint Secretary (PAI) and Joint Secretary (UNP).

Two Uttarakhand IPS now move CAT against central deputation to lower posts

By
LO Bureau
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IPS move CAT against deputation

Two senior Uttarakhand IPS officers – Neeru Garg (IPS:2005:UK) and Arun Mohan Joshi (IPS:2006:UK) – have now challenged their central deputation in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) after being advised to do so by the High Court. Both these officers have been contesting their deputation to the central forces to a lower-rank and without their consent.

Both the officers are currently serving as IGs in Uttarakhand, but have been directed to take up postings in central paramilitary forces as DIGs. While Neeru Garg has been deputed as DIG in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Arun Mohan Joshi is supposed to join as DIG in the Border Security Force (BSF) on deputation.

Both these IPS officers have argued that they neither requested for central deputation nor consented to it, yet the state govt forwarded their names to the Centre for deputation.

Besides, both officers had previously received exemptions from central postings. The officers claim the action violates established norms of service, including rights under the Administrative Tribunals Act, which governs grievances of central and state service officers.

They first moved the High Court, which directed them the CAT, saying the tribunal is the proper forum for service-related disputes of this nature.

The ruling by the CAT will be watched closely as it will have implications on future deputation policies adopted by the Centre as well as the state govt.

Also, this case could set a precedent for other bureaucrats resisting central deputation that affects their ranks resulting in career progression.

CBI files FIR against Bihar IAS Sanjeev Hans for corruption

By
LO Bureau
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Corruption case against IAS

In an important development, the CBI has registered an FIR against controversial Bihar cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Hans (IAS:1997:BH) and several others following allegations of receiving a bribe to secure favourable orders from the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in a buyer-builder dispute.

According to sources, Sanjeev Hans, who was serving as Private Secretary to the then Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, allegedly conspired with Vipul Bansal, an employee of RNA Corporation, and others to accept undue advantage from the promoters of East & West Builders.

It is alleged that Vipul Bansal approached Hans to influence proceedings in a builder-buyer dispute involving East & West Builders, a sister concern of the RNA Corporation as the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is the nodal ministry for the NCDRC.

According to the FIR, a meeting was arranged between Hans and Anubhav Agarwal, one of the promoters of the RNA Group, during which a bribe of ₹1 crore was finalized in lieu of favourable orders from the NCDRC.

The CBI has alleged that Hans subsequently facilitated two favourable hearing dates for East & West Builders. In addition, Hans also ensured that Saranga Agarwal, a promoter/director of the company, was not arrested in the case. In return for these favours, ₹1 crore bribe was allegedly paid through intermediaries.

According to CBI sources, the bribe amount was routed in multiple tranches through associates Shadab Khan and Pushpraj Bajaj whose contact details were shared with Bansal to facilitate the transfer of funds. Investigators suspect that Bajaj played a role in laundering the proceeds, while coded communications were used among the accused to coordinate payments through hawala channels.

The CB case has been registered under sections linked to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI SP Anil Kumar Yadav is supervising investigation, which is trying  to verify the allegations and trace the money trail.

MP CM Mohan Yadav ensuring accountability through action against IAS and IPS since coming to power

By
LO Bureau
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Action against bureaucrats

In order to enforce a strict sense of discipline and accountability among bureaucrats in the state, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has taken punitive action against 18 senior civil servants in the last over two years.

A rough estimate indicates that he has been taking disciplinary action against a bureaucrat nearly every 46 days after assuming power on December 13, 2023. This is particularly true for those heading dstrict administration and the district police. Sources say that during this period, 10 IAS officers serving as District Collectors, and eight IPS officers serving as Superintendents of Police (SPs), along with others have been removed, transferred, or suspended for major administrative lapses or failures to maintain law-and-order.

The latest action saw Guna SP Ankit Soni being removed from his post after his name in a bribery related controversy cropped up.

The action was taken after it was alleged that district police allegedly released a businessman from Gujarat after accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh from him.

The removal of the district police head was ordered to send a message that responsibility for wrong-doing will be fixed at the command level.

Similarly, Sidhi Collector Swarochish Somvanshi was removed on the same day, after many complaints of his administrative inaccessibility were received from officials and public representatives.

Besides, he allegedly withheld a Fire No Objection Certificate for a project initiated by the local MP which aggravated dissatisfaction against him.

On January 24, another IAS officer Aditya Singh was removed from the post of Ashoknagar District Collector following allegation of bribery liked to theAnandpur Sahib Trust.However, the trust later clarified publicly that it had not filed any complaint against the Collector.

Despite that, the state government replaced him with Saket Malviya, who had been serving at the Employee Selection Board.

The removal drew attention because Aditya Singh had earlier been credited with top performance in the Election Commission’s Summary Revision process.

On January 2, the government removed IAS officers Dilip Yadav and Rohit Sisonia following the death of 23 people in Bhagirathpura area of Indore after sewage-contaminated water supply. Dilip Yadav was first shifted to Rural Development department and subsequently to the Tourism Department, while Rohit Sisonia was shifted to the state secretariat as Deputy Secretary.

On the very next day, on January 3, Kshitij Singhal was appointed new Municipal Commissioner of Indore. Besides, IAS officers Akash Singh, Prakhar Singh, and Ashish Pathak were appointed as Additional Commissioners.

The law-and-order crisis following the violence at the Gadra village that resulted in the Killing of a police officer, both Collector Ajay Srivastava and SP Rasna Thakur were removed on March 18.

Similarly, in Sagar wall collapse incident On August 4, 2024, in which nine children were killed, Collector Deepak Arya, SP Abhishek Tiwari, and SDM Sandeep Singh were removed.

Interestinglyit was later found that SP Abhishek Tiwari had been abroad for 15 days before the incident and had been seeking transfer for months.

In January 2024, Shajapur Collector Kishore Kanyal was removed after his video questioning a truck driver about his status during a nationwide transport strike went viral.

In Harda firecracker factory explosion on Feb 7, 2024, SP Sanjeev Kumar Kanchan and Collector Rishi Garg were removed. The blast had left 13 people dead and more than 75 injured.

On June 23, 2024, Seoni Collector Kshitij Singhal and SP Rakesh Kumar Singh were removed following communal tension that erupted after more than 50 slaughtered cattle were found dumped in Dhuma and Dhanora areas.

IAS officer Kshitij Singhal was later appointed Managing Director of the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company while IPS officer Rakesh Kumar Singh was shifted to Police Headquarters as AIG and later posted as SP of Chhindwara.

Top officials in the government find common administrative pattern after dissecting all these cases of disciplinary actions against the bureaucrats under the Mohan Yadav government. It is like immediate fixing of district-level accountability, prompt intervention in politically sensitive cases and fast and visible action to send strong administrative signal that accountability is key to Yadav’s style of governance.  

Abhinandan Kumar Mishra appointed Joint Advisor in NDMA

By
LO Bureau
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NDMA

Abhinandan Kumar Mishra (IDSE:2012), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Defence, has been appointed as Joint Advisor (Mitigation Project) in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for a period of five years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), the competent authority has approved his appointment for five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

This position falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is classified as a Non-CSS post.

Mukul Mohan appointed Joint Advisor in NDMA

By
LO Bureau
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NDMA

Mukul Mohan (IRSS:2007), who was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways, has been appointed as Joint Advisor (Mitigation Project and Procurement) in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for a period of five years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), the competent authority has approved his appointment for five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

This position falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is classified as a Non-CSS post.

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