The central deputation tenure of Rajeev Kumar (IOFS:2000) as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs has been extended for one year. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (17.02.2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for a period of one year beyond 05.03.2025 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Vipul Tripathi appointed as Director in D/o Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Vipul Tripathi (IRAS:2008), who was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways, has been selected for appointment as Director in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Delhi, for five years. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (17.02.2025), Mr. Tripathi will serve in the post under the central staffing scheme for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
IAS Shankar Lal Kumawat appointed as Director in D/o Revenue
IAS officer Shankar Lal Kumawat (IAS:2010:TN) has been appointed as Director in the Department of Revenue, Delhi, for five years. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (17.02.2025), the competent authority has approved the appointment of Mr Kumawat to the post under the central staffing scheme for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
BVR Subrahmanyam gets one year extension as CEO, NITI Aayog
The central government has extended the tenure of BVR Subrahmanyam (Retd. IAS:1987:CG) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog for one year. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (17.02.2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his extension beyond 24.02.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Subrahmanyam has been serving as the CEO of NITI Aayog since February 2023. He was appointed to the role following the departure of Parameswaran Iyer (Retd. IAS:1981:UP), who took over as Executive Director at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Also Read: Parameswaran Iyer moves to World Bank, BVR Subrahmanyam is next NITI Aayog CEO
PM-led panel clears Gyanesh Kumar’s name for CEC post: Sources
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar (IAS:1988:KL) is likely to succeed Rajiv Kumar (IAS:1984:JH) as the next Chief Election Commissioner, as the latter retires on February 18. According to sources, Kumar’s name has been cleared by the Selection Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Union Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
Kumar, the senior-most Election Commissioner, was appointed in March 2024 alongside SS Sandhu (IAS:1988:UK).
The final appointment would be subject to notification which is expected any time now.
Assam: Three IAS officers shifted
The Assam government on Sunday (16.02.2025) issued transfer and posting orders for three IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
- Kavitha Padmanabhan (IAS:2006:AM), Commissioner & Secretary, Housing & Urban Affairs Department with additional charges of Environment & Forest Department & Member, State Level Recruitment Commission for Class-III Posts and Resident Commissioner, Assam Bhawan, New Delhi, has been relieved from the additional charge of Commissioner & Secretary, Environment & Forest Department.
- Virendra Mittal (IAS:2007:AM), Commissioner & Secretary with additional charges of Finance Department and Irrigation Department and General Administration Department , PD, ARIAS and Project Officer, Assam Integrated River Basin Management project under PIU, ASDMA is relieved from the additional charge of Commissioner & Secretary Assam, Irrigation Department and Project Officer, Assam Integrated River Basin Management project under PIU, ASDMA.
- Ankur Das (IAS:2022:AM), awaiting posting orders, has been posted as Co-District Commissioner, Duliajan.
Suresh K Reddy appointed as next Ambassador of India to Egypt
Senior diplomat Suresh K Reddy (IFS:1991) was on Monday (17.02.2025) appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Presently, he is serving as Ambassador of India to the Federative Republic of Brazil and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
In a statement, the MEA said,” Shri Suresh K. Reddy (IFS: 1991), presently Ambassador of India to the Federative Republic of Brazil, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Arab Republic of Egypt.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the statement added.
Punjab: Varinder Kumar relieved as Vigilance Bureau Chief, G Nageswara Rao takes the charge
The Punjab Government Monday (17.02.2025) relieved Varinder Kumar (IPS:1993:PB) as the Chief Director of the state Vigilance Bureau, and attached him to the office of the Director General of Police. In his place, G Nageswara Rao (IPS:1995:PB), Additional Director General of Police, Provisioning, has been posted as the new Chief Director of the Vigilance Bureau.
Kumar had been appointed as the Chief Director of Vigilance in May 2022 soon after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in the state. His tenure in the post lasted nearly three years, and he is set to retire on July 31, 2025.
PM led three-member panel to meet today to select new CEC
A three-member selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on Monday to pick the successor to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar (IAS:1984:JH), who is set to retire on February 18 upon reaching the age of 65. The committee includes the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. Sources indicate that Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is also expected to be part of the meeting.
Also Read: PM Modi-led panel to meet on February 17 to select new CEC
Also Read: Govt sets up Search Committee to shortlist names for next CEC
Odisha: Govt mandates prior approval for IAS officers’ leave, hqrs exit
The Odisha government has introduced a new rule requiring all IAS officers in the state to obtain prior permission from the Chief Secretary before availing leave or leaving their designated headquarters. This directive, issued through a circular by the General Administration (GA) Department, aims to ensure uninterrupted administrative functioning. The circular emphasized that instances of officers taking leave or exiting their headquarters without authorization have led to disruptions in official work, necessitating stricter oversight.
The GA Department serves as the administrative authority for IAS officers in the state, while the Chief Secretary is the competent authority for sanctioning all types of leave. Although no official reason has been cited for the new directive, sources suggest it follows Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram’s complaint against his private secretary, Parag Harshad Gavali (IAS: 2013: OR), for unauthorized absence. A day after Oram’s letter to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, the circular was reportedly issued.
Additionally, Minister Oram has urged the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to take disciplinary action against Gavali under the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. He has also written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), requesting Gavali’s replacement as his private secretary.
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