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Union Govt considering raising FDI limit in Public Sector Banks to 49 per cent

By
Bureau Desk (LO)
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FDI limit in PSU Banks

The Union Government is reported to be contemplating raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) from 20 percent to 49 percent. 

As per media reports, the Finance Ministry has already drafted a Cabinet note for increasing the FDI limit in PSBs and has sought comments from other ministries on the proposed hike.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is also said to have actively supported the proposal by writing to the Centre recommending that an increase in the FDI limit be considered at the earliest.

Currently, the FDI limit in private sector banks is 74 percent, while it is just 20 percent in PSBs. Among the 12 PSBs, SBI has the highest FDI holding at 11.07 percent, followed by Canara Bank at 10.55 percent.

However, there has been no official announcement regarding the hike either from the Finance Ministry or the RBI so far.

According to DPIIT data, FDI flows into India registered a 6 percent increase to USD 19.81 billion in the April-June quarter of the current financial year compared to USD 18.62 billion in the same quarter of 2025-26, despite global uncertainties.

Interestingly, services recorded the highest inflows at USD 7.04 billion, followed by computer software and hardware (USD 2.84 billion), trading (USD 1.92 billion), non-conventional energy (USD 1.24 billion) and auto (USD 622 million).

Among the states, Tamil Nadu topped the chart with USD 5.95 billion in FDI during the quarter, followed by Maharashtra (USD 4.22 billion), Delhi (USD 2.67 billion), Karnataka (USD 2.11 billion) and Gujarat (USD 1.3 billion).

Will Rajesh Kumar Singh get tenure extension as Defence Secretary?

By
Bureau Desk (LO)
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Rajesh Kumar Singh IAS

With the tenure of incumbent Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (IAS:1989:KL) ending on October 31, speculation about his further extension is doing the rounds in the bureaucratic corridors. He took over as Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024, a month before his retirement.

There are some potent factors that support the view that he should get an extension as Defence Secretary. There is no doubt that during his tenure, the Defence Ministry has undergone a massive structural and strategic overhaul, prioritizing technological absorption and export-driven self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, started under his leadership, structurally links military modernization with export ambitions. “Exportability” is now a new mantra for upcoming defence manufacturing platforms to attract foreign buyers, with the ministry setting an aggressive target of achieving ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2030.

But it is his expertise in defence self-reliance by promoting indigenous defence manufacturing that holds crucial ground for Singh’s possible extension.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra stands out for special reference. His association with this mission is crucial as he also holds the additional responsibility as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Chairman. In May this year, he was given additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and later as DRDO Chairman. The fact that no appointment has been made to the DRDO’s chairmanship so far lends credibility to the belief that he may be granted an extension.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a highly ambitious mission of the Govt of India. Led by the MoD and DRDO, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is being developed as a comprehensive, multi-layered national air defence and offence network.

If viewed against this background, it seems Rajesh Kumar Singh will get an extended tenure, but then, no one can gauge the govt’s move. So, nothing can be said with surety.

DoPT launches implementation phase of Special Campaign 6 for disposal of pendencies

By
Bureau Desk (LO)
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DoPT's Special Campaign 6

With an aim to ensure timely disposal of pending matters and promoting better management of official resources, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday announced the formal launch of the one-month-long implementation phase of its Special Campaign 6. The campaign was launched after successfully completing the preparatory phase.

According to the DoPT, through Special Campaign 6, it reaffirms its commitment to responsive governance, efficient public administration and sustained improvement in workplace practices, ensuring that the principles of Swachhata, cyber suraksha and good governance become an integral part of the Department’s institutional functioning.

The implementation phase was launched on October 2, coinciding with Swachh Bharat Diwas, and will continue till October 31.

The purpose of the campaign is to strengthen cleanliness (Swachhata), improve efficiency, promote digital governance, improve work environment and culture, ensure timely disposal of pending matters and promote better management of official resources. Undertaken by the Union Government, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) is acting as the nodal department.

The launch was organised at Grih Kalyan Kendra in Delhi, with DoPT Secretary being its chief guest.

The preparatory phase was carried out from September 16 to September 30, during which a detailed assessment of VIP references, public grievances, parliamentary assurances and other matters requiring time-bound action was made. According to the statement issued by the DoPT, the exercise enabled the department to identify priority areas and formulate targeted interventions for their expeditious disposal during the Implementation Phase.

The exercise was undertaken across DoPT and its associated offices. Besides, the DoPT and its offices have finalised action plans covering cleanliness drives, disposal of pending matters, records management and freeing up of office space across various locations for more organised and productive workspaces.

As per the DoPT’s statement, the department has also uploaded the requisite targets for Special Campaign 6 on the SCDPM 6 portal of DARPG, which will be used to monitor and review the progress of the campaign.

The campaign is expected to provide further impetus to the institutionalisation of Swachhata, efficiency, competency-linked capacity building through the iGOT Karmayogi portal, promotion of transparency, accountability and good governance, while fostering a cleaner, more organised and productive working environment.

Ashutosh Gautam takes charge as NBCC Director (Projects)

By
LO Bureau
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New Delhi: Ashutosh Gautam has assumed charge as Director (Projects) of NBCC (India) Limited on Monday (October 19, 2026), following his selection for the post and approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Prior to joining NBCC, Gautam was serving as Executive Director (Highway) at Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). He was relieved of his responsibilities at RVNL on the morning of October 19, paving the way for his appointment at NBCC.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had recommended Gautam for the post after interviewing 12 candidates on June 16, 2026. Following the completion of the necessary approvals and formalities, he took over his new role at the public sector construction company.

Gautam will serve as Director (Projects) until his superannuation on April 30, 2029.

IAS Diwakar Nath Misra appointed Government Nominee Director on NTPC Board

By
LO Bureau
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New Delhi: The Ministry of Power has informed NTPC Limited about the appointment of IAS officer Diwakar Nath Misra (IAS:2000:AM) as Government Nominee Director on the company’s Board of Directors. The appointment has been made by the President of India.

Misra, currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, will hold the position until the end of his tenure in the ministry or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

He succeeds Piyush Singh (IAS:2000:MH), who was recently appointed Mission Director of the National Water Mission.

Misra is a senior IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre with experience in several key central government departments. His appointment brings direct representation from the Ministry of Power to the board of the state-run power major, where he will participate in board-level decisions and represent the government’s interests in the company’s affairs.

Haryana govt transfers 6 IPS and 22 HPS officers

By
LO Bureau
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Chandigarh: The Haryana government has issued transfer and posting orders for six IPS and 22 HPS officers, bringing changes to the state police administration. The reshuffle includes new postings, additional charge assignments and transfers to vacant positions across various police units and districts.

The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;

  1. B Satheesh Balan (IPS:2004:HY), IGP, Railways & Commando, Haryana, has been given additional charge of IGP, IRB, Bhondsi.
  2. Dr Anshu Singla (IPS:2014:HY), DCP, Headquarters, Gurugram, has been given additional charge of SP, RTC, Bhondsi.
  3. Dheeraj Kumar (IPS:2014:HY), SP, PHQ, Panchkula, has been given additional charge of SP, HSNCB(H).
  4. Mohit Handa (IPS:2015:HY), SP, SV & ACB(H), has been appointed ADC to the Governor of Haryana, with additional charge of SP, Lokayukta, Haryana.
  5. Upasana (IPS:2017:HY), SP, CID, with additional charge of SP, ATS(H), has been posted as SP, Jind.
  6. Kuldeep Singh (IPS:2019:HY), SP, Jind, has been posted as SP, CID(H), with additional charge of SP, ATS.
  7. Noopur Bishnoi (HPS), SP, Women Safety, PHQ, has been given additional charge of AIG/Welfare, PHQ, Panchkula.
  8. Pooja Dabla (HPS), SP, RTC, Bhondsi, has been posted as SP, SV & ACB(H).
  9. Amit Beniwal (DSP), SV & ACB(H), has been posted as DSP, Hisar.
  10. Jaspal Singh (DSP), Badha, Charkhi Dadri, has been posted as ACP, Ganaur.
  11. Dinesh Kumar (HPS), DSP, SV & ACB(H), has been posted as DSP, Lokayukta, Haryana.
  12. Indivar (HPS), DSP/STF, Gurugram, has been posted as ACP, Gurugram.
  13. Ashok Kumar (HPS), DSP, 1st Battalion, Ambala City, has been transferred DSP, 1st IRB, Bhondsi.
  14. Shamsher Singh (HPS), ACP, Crime, Jhajjar, has been posted as DSP, STF(H).
  15. Satish Kumar Gautam (HPS), DSP, SV & ACB(H), has been posted as ACP, Panchkula.
  16. Mahabir Singh (DSP), Niokheri, Karnal, has been posted as DSP, SV & ACB(H).
  17. Rajeev Kumar (HPS), DSP, Karnal, has been posted as DSP, Fatehabad.
  18. Gourav Sharma (HPS), DSP, Safidon, Jind, has been posted as DSP, Narnaul.
  19. Sanjay Kumar (HPS), DSP, Uchana, Jind, has been posted as DSP, SV & ACB(H).
  20. Mukesh Kumar (HPS), DSP, Panipat, has been posted as DSP, SCB(H).
  21. Virender Singh (HPS), DSP, HSEnB(H), has been posted as DSP, SCB(H).
  22. Anil Kumar, DSP, 1st IRB, Bhondsi, has been posted as DSP, Haryana Women Police Battalion, Sunaria, Rohtak.
  23. Rishi Kant (HPS), DSP, Narnaul, has been posted as DSP, Rohtak.
  24. Rakesh Kumar (HPS), DSP, Rohtak, has been posted as DSP, Charkhi Dadri.
  25. Aryan Chaudhary (HPS), DSP/PHQ, with additional charge of DSP, Telecom(H), has been posted as DSP, Telecom(H).
  26. Ajeet Singh (HPS), DSP, IT Cell, PHQ, has been given additional charge of DSP, PHQ.
  27. Dharambir Singh (HPS), DSP, 2nd Battalion, Madhuban, has been posted as DSP, SV & ACB (H).
  28. Anoop Singh (HPS), DSP, 3rd Battalion, HAP, Hisar, has been posted as DSP, STF (H).

IAS Sufiyah Faruqui Wali empanelled for Joint Secretary-Level posts at Centre

By
LO Bureau
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New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Sufiyah Faruqui Wali (IAS:2009:MP) has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary or equivalent-level posts in the Government of India.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved her empanelment for Joint Secretary-level positions on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

Wali is currently serving as General Manager (Region) of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh Region), under the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

IAS Shalini Pandit empanelled for Additional Secretary-level posts at Centre

By
LO Bureau
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New Delhi: Odisha cadre senior IAS officer Shalini Pandit (IAS:2001:OD) has been empanelled for holding Additional Secretary or equivalent-level posts in the Government of India.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday approved her empanelment for Additional Secretary-level positions at the Centre.

Shalini Pandit is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services, a position she assumed in September 2025. She was appointed to the post for a tenure of five years.

Tenure of Pramod Kumar Choudhary as TCIL CVO extended

By
LO Bureau
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New Delhi: The tenure of Pramod Kumar Choudhary (IRSS:1998) as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Telecommunication Consultants India Ltd (TCIL), Delhi, has been extended by two years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (October 19, 2026), the competent authority has approved the extension of his deputation tenure for a further period of two years beyond March 25, 2027, i.e., up to March 25, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Notably, Pramod Kumar Choudhary has been serving as CVO of TCIL since March 25, 2024. He was initially appointed to the post for a three-year tenure, which was due to expire on March 25, 2027. With the latest approval, his tenure has been extended until March 25, 2029.

Aprajita Sharrma gets extension as CVO, Central Warehousing Corporation

By
LO Bureau
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Central Warehousing Corporation

New Delhi: The tenure of Aprajita Sharrma (IP&TA&FS:1995) as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), Delhi, has been extended by two years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (October 19, 2026), the competent authority has approved the extension of her deputation tenure for a further period of two years beyond February 28, 2027, i.e., up to February 28, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Notably, Aprajita Sharrma has been serving as CVO of the Central Warehousing Corporation since February 28, 2024. She was initially appointed to the position for a period of three years.

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