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Haryana reshuffles six IAS officers, key departments see changes

By
LO Bureau
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Haryana Map

The Haryana government on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) carried out a significant reshuffle in the state bureaucracy by issuing transfer and posting orders for six IAS officers, assigning them new responsibilities across key administrative departments.

Ravi Prakash Gupta (IAS:2007:HY), Commissioner of Hisar Division, has been appointed as Secretary, Urban Estates Department. He will continue to hold the additional charge of Commissioner, Hisar Division.

Anshaj Singh (IAS:2008:HY), currently serving as Director General and Secretary in the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, has been given the additional charge of Advisor, Civil Aviation, and Secretary, Civil Aviation Department.

Vikram (IAS:2014:HY), Managing Director of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, has been posted as Managing Director, Haryana Minerals Ltd., New Delhi, while continuing to hold his present charge in the power utility.

Virender Lather (IAS:2014:HY) has been appointed as Special Secretary in the Grievances Department in addition to his existing responsibilities as District Municipal Commissioner, Ambala, and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ambala.

Sachin Gupta (IAS:2018:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak, has been posted as Additional Secretary, Irrigation & Water Resources Department, and Managing Director, HSMITC, while retaining the charge of Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak.

Aparajita (IAS:2018:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Kaithal, has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication Department, and Director of the same department. She will continue to serve as Deputy Commissioner, Kaithal.

Who is Siddharth Babu—PM Modi’s young interpreter on Republic Day?

By
LO Bureau
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IFS Siddharth Babu

Amid the patriotic fervour that reigned supreme during the country’s 77th Republic Day celebration on January 26, an unexpected figure caught the imagination of millions of audiences glued to the event live or through TV.  It was Siddharth Babu, a 2017-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.

In an event where every movement is choreographed and every role is carefully assigned, his composure and professional conduct stood out. His presence on the podium interpreting for the PM during the Republic Day parade generated widespread public interest. People wondered about him and the responsibilities he was discharging at one of India’s most high-profile national events.

The result: within hours of the parade, clips and photographs featuring Siddharth Babu began circulating widely, with netizens praising his confidence, body language, and clarity, with many asking, “Who is he?”

The story of Siddharth Babu goes far beyond a brief moment on the national stage. It was hard to believe that he had failed in his first attempt at the civil services examination.

Hailing from Kochi in Kerala, he grew up in Kaloor in a middle-class household. With a mechanical engineering background, Babu overcame the initial setback and reviewed his strategies of preparation methods for the UPSC exam. And he succeeded in his next attempt in flying colours by securing an impressive All India Rank of 15.

But despite his high ranking, he chose diplomacy over conventional administrative power and prestige. His optional subject, International Relations, reflected his deep and consistent interest in global affairs.

After joining the Foreign Service, he trained in languages, protocol, and negotiation skills. Years later, he represented India in meetings and diplomatic corridors around the world.

During the celebrations, he could easily be spotted assisting in interactions between leaders and foreign dignitaries with grace and professionalism.

Cameras captured his composed presence, sparking curiosity among people nationwide. Social media users soon searched his background, discovering stories of resilience behind his quiet confidence.

Siddharth’s trajectory offers important lessons for UPSC aspirants and students alike. It challenges the stereotype that a top rank automatically translates into the most “prestigious” service.

His journey reminds aspirants that failure is never final unless you stop trying for success by refining determination and strengthening vision.

For many young aspirants, Siddharth Babu’s Republic Day appearance has become a subtle inspiration—a glimpse into the responsibility, honour, and trust that come with serving the nation at the highest levels.

SC Collegium re-appoints five retired judges in Allahabad HC invoking Article 224A

By
LO Bureau
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IAS Abhishek Prakash

In a historic move, the Supreme Court Collegium approved the re-appointment of five retired judges as judges of the Allahabad High Court on an ad-hoc basis on Tuesday. The Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, invoked Article 224A of the Indian Constitution to re-appoint the retired judges. The CJI-led appointment panel includes Justices Vikram Nath and J K Maheshwari as members.

The newly appointed ad-hoc judges are Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan, Mohd. Aslam, Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, Renu Agarwal, and Jyotsna Sharma.  The tenure of these appointments is two years as mandated by the constitutional provision.  

Article 224A enables the Chief Justice of a High Court, with the President’s prior consent, to appoint retired judges as ad hoc judges to handle situations like high backlogs and/or high vacancy rates.

It was in 2021 when the Supreme Court, through a judgment, had revived what it called a “dormant” provision of the Constitution to address massive pendency. This rare move is thus aimed at addressing the huge backlogs of cases, particularly in criminal matters, that the Allahabad High Court has been grappling with for a long time.

With these appointments, the Allahabad High Court will now have 115 judges against the sanctioned strength of 160. Though 45 vacancies remain to be filled, the addition of five judges will surely reduce the backlog in the HC’s criminal jurisdiction.

Even though the Constitution provides for it, appointments of ad-hoc judges are extremely rare. There are only three such instances in the history of the Indian judiciary when the top court facilitated such appointments in the past. It includes the appointment of Justice Suraj Bhan to Madhya Pradesh HC in 1972, Justice P. Venugopal to Madras HC in 1982, and Justice O.P.Srivastava to Allahabad HC in 2007.  

Sources confided that it was after media reports on High Courts not complying with the apex court’s judgements on appointments of ad-hoc judges that CJI Surya Kant decided to initiate the process.

Currently, the ad-hoc judges are being selected from amongst those who have retired less than a year ago.

Similar appointments are going to take place in two other High Courts as well. The fact is all the HC Chief Justices have been sent letters to nominate ad-hoc judges for appointment. So far, the collegium has received recommendations from three HCs. While Allahabad’s proposal has been approved, the collegium is likely to meet on Wednesday to clear the remaining two. Sources indicated that more HCs are in the process of sending their suggestions.

Central deputation vital for career growth, says Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas

By
LO Bureau
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V Srinivas IAS

Against the backdrop of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs tightening empanelment norms for IG-level posts in the Government of India to encourage IPS officers to opt for central deputation, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas (IAS:1989:RJ) on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) said that a stint at the Centre was both a service requirement and a valuable professional experience.

Interacting with IPS officers eligible for central deputation through a video conference from the secretariat, Srinivas said working at the Centre helped officers gain wider exposure and, in the long run, strengthened state administration when they returned to their cadres.

He advised officers to plan their careers carefully and opt for central postings when eligible, adding that such experience played an important role in preparing officers for senior leadership positions.

Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar Sharma (IPS:1990:RJ) said IPS officers from the 2011 batch onwards are required to complete at least two years of central deputation at the SP or DIG level. He described this exposure as essential before being considered for higher posts.

Officials from the personnel department also briefed the officers on eligibility conditions, tenure norms and other procedural aspects related to central deputation.

Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota gets six-month tenure extension

By
LO Bureau
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Ravi Kota IAS

The Assam government has extended the tenure of Chief Secretary Ravi Kota (IAS:1993:AM) by six months, with effect from May 1 to October 31, 2026.

Ravi Kota was due to retire from service on April 30, 2026, but the state government decided to retain him in office in view of administrative requirements. The notification confirming the extension was issued by the Personnel Department on Sunday and has come into immediate effect.

Ravi Kota had assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of Assam on April 1, 2024, following the completion of the extended tenure of then Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur (IAS:1989:AM).

The extension comes at a significant time as Assam is scheduled to go to Assembly elections in March–April this year, with polling due across all 126 constituencies.

Ashish Yadav appointed Director in 8th Central Pay Commission

By
LO Bureau
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8th Central Pay Commission

IDAS officer Ashish Yadav (IDAS:2012) has been appointed as Director in the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) under the Department of Expenditure. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), the competent authority has approved his appointment to the post on a deputation basis under the central staffing scheme.

The appointment will be co-terminus with the tenure of the 8th CPC and is further extendable up to his admissible tenure under the central staffing scheme, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

ACC redesignates four IOFS officers as Directors

By
LO Bureau
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Kartavya Bhawan

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) approved the redesignation of four Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officers of the 2012 batch, who are currently serving as Deputy Secretaries in various ministries and departments, as Directors at their respective places of posting.

The officers whose redesignation has been approved are:

  1. Amrendra Kishore Singh (IOFS:2012), currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has been redesignated as Director.
  2. Minhaz Ahmad (IOFS:2012), Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has been redesignated as Director.
  3. Prabhat Shrivastava (IOFS:2012), Deputy Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, has been redesignated as Director.
  4. Asif Ismail (IOFS:2012), Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, has also been redesignated as Director.

LBSNAA Dy Director Shelesh Nawal repatriated to parent cadre

By
LO Bureau
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Shelesh Nawal IAS

Shelesh Nawal (IAS:2010:MH), currently serving as Deputy Director (Senior) at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), the competent authority has approved the proposal of the Training Division of DoPT to repatriate him to enable him to avail the benefit of promotion.

Shelesh Nawal has been serving in the post since September 28, 2021. He was initially appointed for a four-year tenure, which was scheduled to end on September 27, 2025. However, in August 2025, his tenure was extended by one year up to September 27, 2026, before the present order for premature repatriation was issued.

Delhi HC reserves order on Centre’s Plea against IRS Sameer Wankhede

By
LO Bureau
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HSCC MD's removal

The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the Centre challenging the quashing of disciplinary proceedings initiated against Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede in the Cordelia cruise drug seizure case. The proceedings against Wankhede had been quashed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

The Union Govt moved the Delhi High Court challenging the CAT’s January 19 order giving relief to Wankhede and seeking revival of the disciplinary proceedings against him.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan heard the matter and reserved its verdict.

It is pertinent to mention here that the High Court had earlier directed the tribunal to decide the Wankhede’s case urgently in mid-January. Following it, the CAT on January 19 set aside the disciplinary charge framed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) against Wankhede. The tribunal also slammed the board for acting with malice and vendetta against Wankhede and restrained it from proceeding further on the basis of the charge memorandum.

Wankhede had approached the tribunal after disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him following his exit from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai amid controversy over the investigation of the case.

The disciplinary action against Wankhede stemmed from allegations linked to the Cordelia cruise drug bust, which had led to actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan’s arrest in 2021.

Finance Commission recommends immediate closure of inactive Public Sector Enterprises

By
LO Bureau
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Inactive PSUs

The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, signals an intensified push to close or privatize “dead” and loss-making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to reduce fiscal strain on the government.

According to media reports, it was based on the 16th Finance Commission’s report that has recommended the immediate closure of inactive public sector enterprises (PSEs) to reduce fiscal strain on central and state governments while emphasizing the need for the deployment of their valuable land and buildings to alternative uses.

The panel has remarked in its report that its detailed review of central and state PSEs revealed considerable scope for reforming them to enhance their contribution to economic growth.

While shedding light on the New Public Sector Enterprise Policy, adopted in Feb 2021, the commission has also revealed in its report that the new policy commits to closing or privatising central PSEs (CPSEs) in nonstrategic sectors. The panel report says that while the closure of loss-making enterprises has gathered speed, action on privatisation is yet to take off the way it should have.

The report further adds that based on the experience of CPSEs privatised from 1999 to 2004, significant efficiency gains can be reaped through the privatisation of CPSEs and SPSEs in non-strategic sectors.

The panel headed by noted economist Arvind Panagariya cited the Public Enterprise Survey 2023-24 to share the details that there are 17 CPSEs under liquidation, 24 approved for closure by the government, and 31 nonoperational as of Mar 31, 2024. “Altogether, assets of 72 CPSEs have been unproductive,” the commission disclosed, as per reports.

The panel’s report highlights a similar problem in states, saying that 308 of a total of 1,635 state PSEs (SPSEs) have ceased operations.

According to its report, almost one-third of CAG-audited CPSEs incurred losses ranging from Rs 36,213 crore to Rs 51,419 in each of the last four years. In states, 489 of 1,055 SPSEs incurred losses totalling Rs 1.14 lakh crore in 2022-23.

The report stressed the need for the concerned department to mandatorily take to the Cabinet any enterprise incurring losses in three out of four consecutive years for consideration for closure, privatisation or continuation, as reported by media.

In this way, the government will be actively fast-tracking the closure of permanently closed or unproductive entities in the days to come. 

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