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Centre gives sanction to prosecute Telangana IAS Arvind Kumar in Formula-E car race case

By
LO Bureau
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IAS Arvind Kumar

The Union government is reported to have granted its sanction to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to prosecute senior Telangana IAS officer Arvind Kumar (IAS:1991:TG) in connection with the Formula-E car race case. According to reports, the police is yet to make an official announcement about this.

The case involves alleged misappropriation of ₹54.88 crore in public funds.

The ACB had reportedly sought permission to prosecute IAS officer Kumar along with former Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) chief engineer B. L. N. Reddy. Kumar was then serving as Special Chief Secretary in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development department. Earlier in the same case, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had granted approval to prosecute BRS working president K T Rama Rao.

The case originates from a complaint filed on October 18, 2024, after the Congress government came to power in the state. The complaint was filed by Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department M. Dana Kishore, alleging that a loss of ₹54.88 crore accrued to the State exchequer. According to the complaint, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority released payments to Formula E Operations Limited without obtaining mandatory approvals from the Cabinet or the Finance Department.

The ACB had registered a case on the basis of that complaint against Rama Rao, Arvind Kumar, and B. L. N. Reddy.

As per the FIR, ₹45.7 crore was transferred to Formula E Operations Limited between September and October 2023, even after the company had terminated its agreement with the Telangana government.

According to the ACB, the agreement had capped the government’s financial liability. However, following disputes between the promoter and the event sponsor, the state govt allegedly assumed financial responsibility without required regulatory approvals, leading to significant financial loss.

Silence by IAS Officers Association over recent suspensions fuels resentment in Punjab

By
LO Bureau
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Punjab DGP appointment

The silence maintained by the Punjab IAS Officers Association over the recent suspensions of two IAS officers, Kamal Kishore Yadav (IAS:2003:PB) and Jaspreet Singh (IAS:2014:PB), has fueled resentment within the Punjab bureaucracy. The two officers were suspended with immediate effect by the state government on February 7.

Although the reasons for their suspension were not specified in the orders, sources said that it stemmed from a six-year delay in procuring smartphones for Anganwadi workers under the Union Government’s Mission Saksham Anganwadi. The vendor selected by the government for providing smartphones had approached the court for the delay.

While Yadav was posted as the administrative secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion, and Promotion of Information Technology, Singh was serving as the Managing Director of the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited.

Many bureaucrats in the state are intrigued by the silence of the IAS Officers Association as they recall how the swift protest was mounted by it when another IAS officer and former Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) CEO, Neelima (IAS:2008:PB), was suspended earlier. They believe that in this case, the Association has turned into a “mute spectator” to the actions of the state government.

Earlier this year, senior IAS officer AK Sinha (IAS:1996:PB) retired without getting a promotion despite the fact that, as per long-standing government practice, IAS officers who complete 25 years of service normally get promoted on January 1. It had led to murmurs, as Sinha would have been promoted to the rank of Additional Chief Secretary had the norm been followed. Two suspensions later, the murmurs have hardened into quiet cynicism.

This is not the first instance of an IAS officer being suspended during the AAP regime. In February 2025, the State government suspended the then Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Tripathi following “serious complaints of corruption.”

Additionally, in August 2023, senior IAS officers D.K. Tiwari and Gurpreet Singh Khaira were suspended for making a “technically flawed” decision regarding the dissolution of panchayats.

The question that is bothering Punjab bureaucrats and is causing resentment among them is when the cadre needs its collective voice, the IAS association prefers to keep mum.

Home Ministry contemplating enacting law on IPS deputation to CAPFs

By
LO Bureau
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Ministry of Home Affairs

The Union Home Ministry is contemplating “statutory intervention” on the issue of reducing the deputation of IPS officers in the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). The ministry has clarified it in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in response to the apex court’s order to “progressively reduce” the deputation of IPS officers up to the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CAPFs.

Statutory intervention virtually means enacting a law on the issue and granting Organised Group A Services (OGAS) status to CAPF officers.

The affidavit was filed by the Home Ministry on February 9 in response to a batch of contempt petitions filed by retired CAPF officers against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on December 3, 6, and 9, 2025, for alleged non-implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders.

The Supreme Court, in its order on October 28, 2025, had directed the ministry to ‘progressively reduce’ IPS deputation in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in CAPFs in the next two years. 

The CAPFs include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Assam Rifles.

The SC ruling also required the Home Ministry to amend the service rules of CAPFs, complete cadre review, and extend OGAS benefits to CAPF officers within six months.

This judgement was, however, challenged by the Home Ministry, but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court, making the ruling final.

On May 23, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Group A Executive Cadre officers of CAPFs are Organised Group A Services for all purposes.

The case was heard on February 10 by a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan. After being told about the statutory intervention by the ministry, the bench issued a notice to the Union Home Secretary and listed the matter for further hearing on March 10.

Around 13,000 CAPF officers are likely to benefit from the top court’s judgement, leading to faster promotions and overcoming issues of stagnation.

As per the current status, 20% of posts in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and 50% of posts in the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers through an executive order. The court’s ruling is expected to significantly reduce IPS deputation to CAPFs.

The matter involved the Home Ministry, as it serves as the cadre-controlling authority for both the IPS and CAPFs.

The cadre review is typically done every five years to estimate future human resources requirements and plan recruitment to avoid future promotional blocks, but the last cadre review of CAPFs was done in 2016.

 

Delhi orders major IAS–DANICS reshuffle; 72 officers transferred across departments

By
LO Bureau
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The Delhi government on Saturday (February 14, 2026) ordered a large-scale administrative reshuffle involving 72 IAS and DANICS officers, effecting changes across key departments including Home, Finance, Urban Development, Health, Education and district administration.

According to the official order, several senior officers have been assigned additional responsibilities, while a number of mid-level and junior officers have been posted as Deputy Commissioners, Secretaries, SDMs and heads of important civic and service institutions.

Key changes include:

  1. Bipul Kumar (IAS:1992:AGMUT), Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare with additional charge of Director, UTCS, has been given additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, SC/ST/OBC.
  2. Sandeep Kumar (IAS:1997:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Vigilance holding multiple additional charges, has been posted as Principal Secretary, Vigilance with additional charge of Principal Secretary, AR, Principal Secretary, Services and Chairman, DSSSB.
  3. Santosh D. Vaidya (IAS:1998:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Home, has been given additional charge of Principal Secretary, Finance/Planning, Principal Secretary, Industries and Chairperson, DSIIDC.
  4. Dilraj Kaur (IAS:2000:AGMUT), Principal Secretary, Social Welfare with additional charge of Principal Secretary, SC/ST/OBC Welfare, has been directed to await posting.
  5. Nikhil Kumar (IAS:2002:AGMUT), Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner, Trade & Taxes.
  6. Neeraj Semwal (IAS:2003:AGMUT), Secretary, Revenue-cum-Divisional Commissioner with additional charge of Secretary, Land & Building and Secretary, Power, will continue as Secretary, Revenue-cum-Divisional Commissioner with additional charge of Secretary, Power.
  7. Padma Jaiswal (IAS:2003:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Special Secretary, AR.
  8. Pandurang K Pole (IAS:2004:AGMUT), Secretary, Higher Education & TTE with additional charge of Secretary, Education, has been posted as Secretary, GAD with additional charge of Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Labour and Secretary, Cooperation.
  9. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri (IAS:2005:AGMUT), Secretary, Urban Development with additional charge of Secretary, Environment & Forests, has been given additional charge of Chairman, DPCC.
  10. Rupesh Kumar Thakur (IAS:2006:AGMUT), CEO, DUSIB, has been posted as Secretary, Health & Family Welfare with additional charge of CEO, DUSIB.
  11. Yashpal Garg (IAS:2008:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Secretary, Planning with additional charge of Secretary, Land & Building.
  12. Sanjeev Ahuja (IAS:2008:AGMUT), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as Secretary, Education with additional charge of Secretary, Higher Education & TTE.
  13. Jitender Yadav (IAS:2010:AGMUT), MD, DTC with additional charge of Special Commissioner, Transport, will continue as MD, DTC with additional charge of Special Commissioner, Transport and Secretary, IT.
  14. Niraj Kumar (IAS:2010:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Special Secretary, SC/ST/OBC.
  15. Sanjeev Kumar Mittal (IAS:2011:AGMUT), Delhi Jal Board, has been posted as Additional Commissioner, MCD.
  16. BS Jaglan (IAS:2011:AGMUT), Member (Finance), Delhi Jal Board, has been posted as Additional Commissioner, MCD.
  17. Satyendra Singh Dursawat (IAS:2012:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Additional Commissioner, MCD.
  18. Aman Gupta (IAS:2013:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Member (Finance), Delhi Jal Board.
  19. Rahul Singh (IAS:2013:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Secretary, NDMC.
  20. Sachin Rana (IAS:2014:AGMUT), Special Secretary, Home, will continue with additional charge of Special Secretary, UD.
  21. Suneel Anchipaka (IAS:2014:AGMUT), Special Commissioner, Trade & Taxes with additional charge of Special Secretary, PWD and MD & CEO, DT&TDC, has been posted as MD & CEO, DT&TDC with additional charge of Special Secretary, PWD.
  22. Santosh Kumar Rai (IAS:2014:AGMUT), Deputy Commissioner, MCD, has been posted as Special Commissioner, Trade & Taxes with additional charge of Special CEO, DDMA.
  23. Swetika Sachan (IAS:2014:AGMUT), Deputy Commissioner, MCD, has been posted as Member (Administration), Delhi Jal Board.
  24. Angel Bhati Chauhan (IAS:2014:AGMUT), Deputy Commissioner, MCD, has been posted as Director, Higher Education with additional charge of Director, TTE.
  25. Arjun Sharma (IAS:2015:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Director, Agriculture Marketing with additional charge of Special Development Commissioner and Special Secretary, H&FW.
  26. Saloni Rai (IAS:2016:AGMUT), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner/DM (North).
  27. Sunny Kumar Singh (IAS:2018:AGMUT), Deputy Commissioner/DM (New Delhi), will continue with additional charge of Special Secretary, Power and MD, IPGCL/PPCL.
  28. Hari Kallikkat (IAS:2018:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner/DM (West) with additional charge of CVO, DSIIDC.
  29. Vishakha Yadav (IAS:2020:AGMUT), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner/DM (Outer North).
  30. Cheemala Siva Gopal Reddy (IAS:2020:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been posted as Additional CEO, Delhi Jal Board with additional charge of CVO, Delhi Jal Board.
  31. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi (IAS:2020:AGMUT), awaiting posting, has been placed at the disposal of DUSIB with additional charge of CVO, DTL/IPGCL/PPCL.
  32. Samyak S Jain (IAS:2022:AGMUT), SDM, Najafgarh, has been posted as Project Director, Delhi State AIDS Control Society with additional charge of Special Secretary, Environment.
  33. Ayushi (IAS:2022:AGMUT), SDM, Bijwasan, has been posted as Secretary, DAMB with additional charge of Secretary, APMC, Azadpur.
  34. Wairoipam Punshiba Singh (IAS:2022:AGMUT), SDM, Mehrauli, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, MCD.
  35. Kanika (IAS:2022:AGMUT), SDM, Narela, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, MCD.
  36. Raghvendra Meena (IAS:2022:AGMUT), SDM, Karawal Nagar, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, MCD.
  37. MT Kom (DANICS:2002), awaiting posting, has been posted as Member, DSSSB.
  38. Pranjal J Hazarika (DANICS:2006), General Manager, DSCSC with additional charge of Director, DUSIB, has been posted as Special Director, Women & Child Development.
  39. Navlendra Kumar Singh (DANICS:2006), Special Director, Women & Child Development, has been posted as Special Director, Social Welfare.
  40. Tanvir Ahmed (DANICS:2007), Deputy Commissioner, Excise, will continue as Deputy Commissioner, Excise with additional charge of CEO, Delhi Waqf Board.
  41. Rahul Agrawal (DANICS:2012), Deputy Director, Social Welfare with additional charge of ADM (Central/North), will continue as Deputy Director, Social Welfare with additional charge of ADM (North), Revenue Department.
  42. Sudhakar (DANICS:2013), Secretary, APMC and Secretary, DAMB, has been posted as ADM (South).
  43. Rahul Saini (DANICS:2014), ADM (South), has been posted as General Manager, DSCSC.
  44. Anuj Kumar Bharti (DANICS:2018), SDM, Kalkaji, has been posted as Deputy Director, Education.
  45. Aditya Kumar Jha (DANICS:2018), SDM, Karol Bagh, has been posted as SDM, Narela.
  46. Piyush Mohanty (DANICS:2018), SDM (HQ), has been posted as SDM, New Delhi.
  47. Himanshu Yadav (DANICS:2018), SDM, Shakur Basti, has been posted as SDM (HQ), Divisional Commissioner Office.
  48. Dr Sunabh Singh (DANICS:2019), awaiting posting, has been posted as SDM, Najafgarh.
  49. Vijay Kumar Jain (DANICS:2019), SDM (HQ), East, has been posted to UTCS.
  50. Dr. Rahul Rathod (DANICS:2020), awaiting posting, has been posted as SDM, Mehrauli.
  51. Sapna Priya (DANICS:2020), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as SDM, Karol Bagh.
  52. Abhishek Gulia (DANICS:2020), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as SDM, Karawal Nagar.
  53. Ashish Joon (DANICS:2020), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as SDM, Rohini.
  54. Vikram Singh (DANICS:2020), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as SDM, Nangloi Jat.
  55. Jatinder Sohal (DANICS:2020), on joining GNCTD, has been posted as SDM, Yamuna Vihar.
  56. Ruchi Jain (DANICS:2021), SDM, New Delhi, has been posted as SDM, Bijwasan.
  57. Rajesh Joshi (DANICS:2023), SDM (HQ), North, has been posted to UTCS.
  58. Pawan Saini (DANICS:2024), awaiting posting, has been posted to DRCS.
  59. Anil Kumar (DANICS:2025), Higher Education, has been posted to DRCS.
  60. Ashish Shokeen (DANICS:2025), Education, has been placed at the disposal of Delhi Jal Board.
  61. Pawan Chopra (DANICS:2025), DUSIB, has been posted as Deputy Secretary, PWD.
  62. Ashwani Kumar (DANICS:2025), DT&T, has been posted as Superintendent, Prison.
  63. KN Jha (DANICS:2025), Education, has been posted as DMS, GTB Hospital.
  64. Manoj Kumar (DANICS:2025), Education, has been posted as SDM, Shakur Basti.
  65. Amit Kumar (DANICS:2025), LG Secretariat (diverted from Education), has been posted as SDM, Badli.
  66. Ved Prakash Meena (DANICS:2025), DT&T, has been posted as SDM, Kalkaji.
  67. Sandeep (DANICS:2025), awaiting posting in Services Department, has been posted as SDM (HQ), South-East.
  68. Kaushalendra Kumar (DANICS:2025), Deputy Secretary, DSCST, has been posted as SDM (HQ), North.
  69. Narender Kumar (DANICS:2025), awaiting posting in Services Department, has been posted as SDM (HQ), East.
  70. Santosh Kumar (DANICS:2025), awaiting posting in Revenue Department, has been posted to DSSSB.
  71. Radhey Shyam Meena (DANICS:2025), awaiting posting in Education, has been posted to DSSSB.
  72. Prakash Chandra Sahoo (DANICS:2025), awaiting posting in DT&T, has been posted to DSSSB.

UP govt swaps postings of Nilabja Choudhary and Ashutosh Kumar

By
LO Bureau
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The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday (February 13, 2026) issued transfer orders for two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, interchanging their current assignments.

Nilabja Choudhary (IPS:2000:UP), who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), CID, Lucknow, has been transferred and posted as ADGP, UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, Lucknow.

Conversely, Ashutosh Kumar (IPS:2001:UP), who held the post of ADGP, UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, Lucknow, has been moved to take charge as ADGP, CID, Lucknow.

Who Is IAS Navjot Khosa? Kerala-Cadre IAS Officer’s Full Profile

By
Neel Kamal
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IAS Navjot Khosa
IAS Navjot Khosa

Dr. Navjot Khosa is a 2012-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, currently serving as Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR) for Punjab and Chandigarh. She secured All India Rank 95 in the Civil Services Examination 2011 and is known for combining medical expertise with administrative leadership.

Dr. Navjot Khosa Academic Background

Dr. Khosa holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Government Medical College, Amritsar, where she was a consistent gold medalist and university topper. Before joining the IAS, she cleared the Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) in 2010 and began training as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Jaipur, reflecting her early commitment to public service.

Administrative Career and Key Roles

Over the years, she has held several significant assignments in Kerala and on central deputation. As District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram from 2020 to 2022, she guided the district through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced Kerala’s first drive-through vaccination centre to minimise crowding.

She later served as Labour Commissioner, Kerala, after earlier roles that included Managing Director of the National Ayush Mission and Food Safety Commissioner in the state, where she focused on strengthening public health systems and regulatory enforcement. Her early field experience as Sub-Collector, Thalassery, helped shape her grassroots administrative approach.

IAS Dr. Navjot Khosa
IAS Dr. Navjot Khosa

In her current role, she has been granted a tenure extension until December 31, 2027, to oversee census and citizen registration work in Punjab and Chandigarh, underscoring institutional confidence in her leadership.

Navjot Khosa Notable Contributions

IAS Dr. Khosa earned recognition for her pandemic management strategy, which emphasised home-quarantine monitoring, decentralised response, and innovative vaccination delivery. Drawing on her medical background, she has consistently prioritised disease prevention, food safety, and community health. She was also part of a notable phase in Kerala when a majority of districts were led by women collectors, symbolising progress in gender representation in governance.

Personal Background

Originally from Bathinda, Punjab, Dr. Khosa has often described her journey into the civil services as a dream shared with her father. Her transition from dentistry to administration reflects a desire to contribute to society at a broader systemic level.

With a blend of clinical insight and administrative experience, she is regarded as a public-health-oriented civil servant with a strong record in crisis management and governance delivery.

PESB recommends Hemant Sharad Pande for CMD post at Western Coalfields Limited

By
LO Bureau
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Hemant Sharad Pande

In a significant development, the Public Enterprises Selection Board has recommended Hemant Sharad Pande for appointment as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Western Coalfields Limited. The recommendation was made after interviews conducted by the board on February 13, 2026.

Pande is currently serving as Functional Director and Director (Personnel) at Western Coalfields Limited. His name will now be forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet for final approval, subject to vigilance clearance and completion of other prescribed formalities.

The CMD post at Western Coalfields Limited fell vacant on January 31, 2026, following the retirement of incumbent Jai Prakash Dwivedi, who had been serving in the position since February 1, 2024.

A total of 12 candidates were considered for the post of CMD, WCL . These included;

  1. Om Prakash Mishra, Executive Director (Community Development), Coal India Limited
  2. Kripa Shankar Singh, Executive Director (Quality Management), Coal India Limited
  3. Md Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Eastern Coalfields Limited
  4. Pankaj Pandey, Director Technical, Mineral Exploration And Consultancy Limited (MECL)
  5. Bikram Ghosh, Director (Finance), Western Coalfields Limited
  6. Darla Sunil Kumar, Director(Finance), Finance HOD., South Eastern Coalfields Limited
  7. Hemant Sharad Pande, Functional Director, Director (Personnel), Western Coalfields Limited
  8. Jagadish Chandra Mazumdar, Executive Director, NLC India Limited
  9. Pravin Dongre, Executive Director ED(SDNZ&HSE), Indian Oil Corporation Limited
  10. Dibendu Das, Director (Finance), Engineering Projects (India) Limited
  11. Shivkumar Premlal Deshmukh, Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer Manipur Project, Ministry of Railways
  12. Rakesh Kumar Rousan, Executive Director Business Development, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways

IAS officer using charter plane for family trip sparks controversy in Bihar

By
LO Bureau
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Bihar Map

A controversy has erupted after an IAS officer and his family disembarked from a charter plane at Patna Airport a few days ago. The trip from Delhi to Patna is said to have cost approximately 2 million rupees. It was made an issue to be raised in the state assembly by the opposition, while the government preferred to maintain silence.

Spotting an IAS officer and his family exiting the luxury charter plane at the Patna airport was an unusual sight for the airport staff, sparking whispers in surprise.

According to a media report, eyewitnesses said it was a charter Dassault Falcon 2000, typically used by high-profile businessmen or VVIPs. But it turned out to be a senior IAS officer posted in Bihar. He had returned from Delhi to Patna with his family. The matter subsequently became a topic of discussion in administrative circles.

The issue resonated in the Assembly on Thursday, with RJD MLA Rahul Sharma questioning the government as to who authorized the charter plane trip and what source funded the trip, as the cost of a round-trip flight from Delhi to Patna on a Dassault Falcon 2000 is estimated to be around 2 million rupees. This huge expense for a family of four has become a topic of discussion.

As reported quoting sources, this was a purely private trip. The source of the expenses has become a major issue, with the opposition calling it a “bureaucratic luxury.”

People are discussing the economic background of the officer and his declared assets, which are limited, as government records indicate his meager land holdings. His family background is also said to be quite modest.

It is surprising that nothing has come into the public domain suggesting under which circumstances the officer chose to spend so much on a trip. People should not forget that in an emergency situation we put our financial constraints aside and spend much more than a person with a modest background is expected to do. What needs to be taken into consideration is finding out which circumstances led the officer to spend so much for the family on a trip rather than indulging in reckless speculation and jumping the gun. 

  

Supreme Court dubs RERA a ‘rehab center’ for retired IAS, calls for its abolition

By
LO Bureau
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SC on NCLT

The Supreme Court has reacted sharply to the functioning of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), saying it is doing nothing except protecting defaulting builders and acting as a rehabilitation centre for retired bureaucrats. The court even said it would not mind if such an institution were abolished.

This sharp criticism came from a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (CJI) and Justice Joymalya Bagchi while hearing a case challenging the Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to shift the state RERA office from Shimla to Dharamshala.

The bench stated that the people whose interests RERA was supposed to protect are today disappointed, frustrated, and angry.

The CJI made a caustic remark about the existence of RERA, saying in every state, this institution has become a rehabilitation center for retired IAS officers while the common people are not getting any effective relief.

The case relates to a Himachal Pradesh High Court order that had stayed the June 2025 govt’s notification transferring the RERA office from Shimla to Dharamshala.

The High Court, on December 30, 2025, directed the continuation of its interim order. The Supreme Court has stayed this order and allowed the state government to relocate the RERA office to a location of its choice, although the final decision will depend on the outcome of a petition pending in the High Court.

The state govt contended that this step was taken as part of its development policy for Palampur, Dharamshala, and other cities.

During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant also questioned the rationale for appointing retired bureaucrats to RERA. The Supreme Court directed that if the office is transferred to Dharamshala, the appellate powers may also be transferred to the Principal District Judge in Dharamshala so that affected parties are not inconvenienced by having to travel to Shimla.

This is not an isolated case in which the apex court overruled the High Court order. In a separate case on February 9, the apex court lifted the High Court’s stay on the state govt’s decision to transfer the OBC Commission from Shimla to Dharamshala. The apex court ruled that such decisions fall within the scope of policy matters and are generally not amenable to judicial intervention.

Higher OBC, SC and ST representation seen in IPS than IAS and IFS over five years

By
LO Bureau
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Indian Police Service

More candidates from the OBC, SC and ST categories have been inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) than into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) during the past five years, the government informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh, stated that between 2020 and 2024, a total of 255 OBC, 141 SC and 71 ST candidates were allocated across the three All India Services after clearing the Civil Services Examination.

During the same period, 245 OBC candidates were appointed to the IAS, while 135 SC candidates joined the IPS and 67 ST candidates were allocated to the IFS.

Specifically in the IFS, the data showed that 231 OBC, 95 SC and 48 ST candidates were inducted over the last five years, reflecting continued representation of reserved categories in forest administration.

Also Read: Indian bureaucracy facing acute crunch of over 2,800 officers: Minister tells Parliament

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