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IAS Association wants higher rewards for tougher postings from 8th Pay Commission

By
LO Bureau
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Central IAS Association

The Central IAS Association has submitted recommendations to the 8th Pay Commission seeking a review of policies concerning “hard station” postings and the new pension scheme. The association also wants a review of the methodology used for determining salary hikes of IAS officers.

These recommendations have been made to the 8th Pay Commission as its June 15 deadline approaches.

According to sources, the IAS Association, in a recent memorandum, pointed out that the government’s new Unified Pension Scheme—which replaced the Old Pension Scheme last year—has not been well received by central government employees despite some relaxations extended in late 2025. The association said that several of the govt’s provisions remain a matter of concern.

The association is also said to have drawn attention to the existing mechanism for allowances, particularly the Hard Risk and Hardship (R&H) framework—the HRAD matrix for “hard stations.”

It is worth recalling here that the 7th Pay Commission had done away with over 52 independent allowances and several local incentives, creating a new umbrella: the Tough Location Allowance (TLA). It was reportedly done in a bid to streamline the allowance framework.

IAS officers posted at “hard stations,” like in left-wing extremism-affected districts or remote areas like high-altitude segments in Ladakh, parts of the Northeast, border outposts, and tribal belts, are said to have been impacted by this rationalisation.

Earlier, an officer posted at such locations could combine several allowances for serving at a place that might, simultaneously, be categorised as remote, critically hazardous, and politically volatile.

Under the 7th Pay Commission regime, the officer is entitled only to a single, flat rate of Hardship Allowance, which, it is pleaded, does not adequately compensate for multiple concurrent risks and challenges the officer may face—from physical safety to infrastructure deficits and serious access concerns.

For such officers, what further complicates the matter is the frequent reclassification of districts from a “hard” station to a “normal” one by state governments on the basis of a slight change in a situation while factors like infrastructure and social deficits in terms of proper health care, schooling facilities, and other amenities remain the same for a long time.

Indian PSUs—BHEL & SAIL—facing imminent danger of losing Maharatna status

By
LO Bureau
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BHEL & SAIL at risk of losing Maharatna tag

Two major Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)—Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)—are facing imminent danger of demotion, as they have been put on one-year notice to either improve their financial performance or lose their “Maharatna” tag.

They have been clearly told that their failure to meet profit targets could see them being downgraded from Maharatna to Navratna status.

Besides, both the concerned ministries—Ministry of Heavy Industries and Ministry of Steel—have been instructed to present a detailed plan on how BHEL and SAIL could deal with issues such as weak financial performance, including low profitability.  

As per an official assessment, both BHEL and SAIL have been failing to meet the criteria of having an average annual profit after tax (PAT) of more than ₹5,000 crore during the last three years.

Incidently, these two are the only companies among the 14 Maharatnas that have been failing to meet the required parameters.

The other parameters involve an average turnover of more than ₹25,000 crore and a net worth of over ₹15,000 crore in the preceding three years and “a significant global presence or international operations.”

Being downgraded means lowering the autonomy of the company boards, as Maharatnas can make equity investments of up to ₹5,000 crore without government approval. But for Navratnas, the limit is ₹1,000 crore.

This is the first case of Maharatnas being put on notice with the threat of a status downgrade after it was recommended by a committee headed by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan.

This high-powered committee had conducted a re-evaluation of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) last year and recommended several measures to improve their performance, including the imposition of stricter financial parameters and tougher corporate governance requirements and having the option of stripping a CPSE of its ‘Ratna’ status. It reviewed the Maharatna categorisation to revise it with contemporary market dynamics.

The message is clear: the Ratna status cannot be taken for granted, and any significant deviation from the prescribed criteria will result in a downgrade. The Centre has already tightened annual performance rules for CPSEs, with strict penalties for failing to meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations, delaying payments to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and failing to prepare a succession plan. These parameters are fixed annually.

Somanathan called for a wider scrutiny and asked the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to rework the eligibility criteria of PSUs to be upgraded to Maharatnas. So, a performance review of all public sector companies is to be carried out by the DPE on the basis of the reworked criteria.

The Ministry of Steel informed the panel that SAIL’s average annual turnover was more than ₹1 lakh crore for the last four years and its average net worth was ₹53,976 crore. SAIL last met the threshold of ₹5,000 crore average annual PAT for three years in 2022-23.

Similarly, the Niti Aayog observed BHEL’s human resource policies as “a major constraint” in its growth and said those required a comprehensive examination.



Uttarakhand govt transfers nine IPS officers; Ridhima Aggrawal appointed IGP, Law & Order

By
LO Bureau
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Uttarakhand Government

The Uttarakhand government on Friday (June 5, 2026) issued transfer and posting orders for nine IPS officers across the state. Notably, Ridhima Aggrawal has been appointed as new IGP, Law & Order.

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

  1. Vimmi Sachdev (IPS:2003:UK), IGP, P & M, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Telecommunication & Fire Service.
  2. Ridhima Aggrawal (IPS:2005:UK), IGP, Kumaon Range, Nainital, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Law & Order, CCTNS/SCRB
  3. Krishna Kumar VK (IPS:2005:UK), IGP, Telecommunication, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Traffic & GRP.
  4. Nilesh Anand Bharne (IPS:2005:UK), IGP, Cyber Crime, STF, ANTF, PAC, Director FSL and Secretary, Police Sports Control Board.
  5. Anant Shankar Takwale (IPS:2006:UK), IGP, Training, State Human Rights Commission, has been given one more charge as IGP, CID.
  6. Sunil Kumar Meena (IPS:2007:UK), IGP, Law & Order, CCTNS/SCRB, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Personnel. PAC & Secretary, Police Sports Control Board.
  7. Yogendra Singh Rawat (IPS:2007:UK), IGP, Kumbh-2027, Haridwar, has been transferred and posted as IGP, SDRF.
  8. Nivedita Kukreti Kumar (IPS:2008:UK), IGP, SDRF, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Kumaon Range, Nainital.
  9. Barinderjit Singh (IPS:2008:UK), IGP, awaiting posting orders, has been posted as IGP, PHQ/P&M.

HC says ex-IAS Ashok Khemka be treated as empanelled Additional Secretary/Secretary for future assignments

By
LO Bureau
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Ashok Khemka ex-IAS

Giving major relief to retired Haryana cadre IAS officer Ashok Khemka (IAS;1991:HY), the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that it was a clear case of discriminatory treatment meted out to Khemka by the Centre by denying him empanelment at the level of Additional Secretary/Secretary despite granting relaxation of eligibility conditions to other officers in similar situations.

The Division Bench of Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi and Justice Deepak Manchanda took exception to the Union government denying Khemka the benefit of relaxation given to other officers in similar situations without providing any reason for its differential treatment.

The major relief for whistleblower ex-bureaucrat Khemka came in the form of the HC directing whistleblower ex-IAS Khemka to be treated as an empaneled Additional Secretary/Secretary for future assignments.

Khemka had moved a writ petition challenging three orders passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in July 2023, which rejected his claim of being treated as having been empanelled at the level of Additional Secretary/Secretary to the central government before his retirement

The Bench observed that the rules prescribed the three-year central deputation requirement for empanelment, but the Centre possessed the power to relax the condition. The court further noted that such relaxations had been granted to similarly placed IAS officers on several occasions, like a 1992-batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer was granted empanelment on March 7, 2022, by relaxing the eligibility requirement, while Khemka’s claim had been rejected earlier in 2021.

The court clearly said, “Once the Union of India exercises jurisdiction to relax the requirement in favour of similarly situated IAS officers, the non-exercise of the same will surely amount to discrimination.”

The Court held that such unequal treatment violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

The Bench said that the benefit of parity with the other similarly situated officers should have been granted to Khemka to avoid prejudice being caused to him.

The court also clarified that as Khemka had already retired, no such benefit could now be extended to him in service, as empanelment primarily served the purpose of bringing an IAS officer on deputation with the government of India.

UP govt transfers 6 IPS officers; Ravi Shankar Chhavi posted as IG, Public Grievances

By
LO Bureau
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33 UP PCS officers' promotion to IAS

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday (June 5, 2026) issued transferred and posted orders for six IPS officers.

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

  1. Ravi Shankar Chhavi (IPS:2007:UP), Inspector General of Police awaiting posting at the Police Headquarters, Lucknow, has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Public Grievances, Police Headquarters, Lucknow.
  2. Harish Chandra (IPS:2010:UP), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kanpur Range, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anti-Corruption Organisation, Lucknow.
  3. Poonam (IPS:2010:UP), Deputy Inspector General of Police and Principal, Police Training School (PTS), Meerut, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mirzapur Range.
  4. Ashok Kumar-IV (IPS-SPS:2010), Deputy Inspector General of Police, CID, Lucknow, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Devipatan Range, Gonda.
  5. Sachindra Patel (IPS:2012:UP), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anti-Corruption Organisation, Lucknow, has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner of Police, Agra Police Commissionerate.
  6. Yamuna Prasad (IPS:2012:UP), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Police Training School (PTS), Moradabad, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kanpur Range.

Centre begins search for new Director at LBSNAA nearly two months in advance

By
LO Bureau
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LBSNAA Director's appointment

The Union Government has begun its search for the new Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) almost two months in advance. The post will virtually fall vacant only on July 31 this year.

With an aim to have an inexhaustive pool of officers suitable for the top post at the prestigious institution, the central government has sought willingness from officers empanelled as Additional Secretary or Secretary by June 22, 2026.

The interested IAS officers have been asked to send their willingness along with a ‘Vision Document’ written in not more than five hundred words. The ‘Vision Document’ is supposed to contain officers’ ideas and visions, their action plan for the next three years, and a note on their suitability for the post, all compressed in 500 words.

The officers working in the states have to take a No Objection Certificate (NoC) in advance from their respective state governments before expressing willingness for the post. Those serving on central deputation need no NOC from anywhere and can apply directly.

Praveen M. Khanooja granted 3 months’ extension for his additional charge of EIL CMD

By
LO Bureau
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Praveen M Khanooja (IA&AS)

The Union Government has granted a three-month extension to Praveen M. Khanooja (IA&AS:1994) for the additional charge of the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Engineers India Limited (EIL). He is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). The extension of his additional charge of the EIL CMD is effective from June 1.

Khanooja has been holding the additional charge of EIL’s CMD post since the superannuation of Vartika Shukla on February 28.

According to the govt order, Khanooja will continue to hold the additional charge of the CMD for three months from June 1, or until the appointment of a regular incumbent to the position, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

This important information was shared by EIL in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges on Wednesday.

The company’s filing says that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has informed that the Competent Authority has approved the extension of Khanooja’s additional charge through its letter dated June 2, 2026.

The latest extension follows an earlier order issued in March 2026 assigning the additional charge of the top EIL post to Khanooja.

With this fresh extension, the arrangement will continue while the government finalises the appointment of a full-time Chairman and Managing Director for the engineering consultancy and EPC major.

Khanooja, with a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering and an M. Tech in Management & Systems, brings vast experience across diverse domains, including Defence Audit, Railways Audit, and State Government Accounts & Audit, apart from key postings at the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) headquarters.

It is important to mention here that EIL is a leading engineering consultancy and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company operating in the hydrocarbon and allied sectors.

DoPT to hold IAS Mentorship Meet at statue of unity on Ekta Diwas on Oct 31

By
LO Bureau
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IAS Mentorship Meet

In a significant development, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has decided to hold interactions between senior and young IAS officers at Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on Ekta Diwas this year. Such an interaction, called the IAS Mentorship Meet, is going to be held for the first time, for which the DoPT has asked all states and Union Territories to nominate officers.

This has been planned following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion to organise structured interactions between senior and young IAS officers for mentorship and knowledge-sharing.

It was at the national conference of Chief Secretaries in December last year where the PM had wished that the senior batches of IAS and other services should motivate the younger groups by visiting the Statue of Unity and spending a day with them each year on October 31.

The DoPT has suggested in its communication that the veteran as well as young officers may be picked from different batches and with expertise across varied domains of governance, public administration, policy formulation, etc.

As per DoPT’s letter, the responsibility to make all necessary arrangements for the visit of IAS officers lies with the state governments.

The DoPT letter cites the PM’s vision to encourage meaningful engagement between senior and younger civil servants through structured mentorship and knowledge-sharing interactions.

The birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was chosen for this interaction as it carries immense symbolic significance and reinforces the ideals of national unity, the DoPT’s letter says.

Tamil Nadu transfers 7 IPS officers; Kapil Kumar C Saratkar posted as Madurai Police Commissioner

By
LO Bureau
-

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday (June 4, 2026) transferred and posted seven IPS officers with immediate effect, with Kapil Kumar C Saratkar being appointed as Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

The reshuffle also brought changes in city policing, railways, technical services and vigilance assignments across the state.

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

  1. Kapil Kumar C Saratkar (IPS:2002:TN), Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police, Headquarters and Traffic, Tambaram Police Commissionerate, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.
  2. Abhishek Dixit (IPS:2006:TN), Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Police, Railways, Chennai.
  3. Dr J Loganathan (IPS:2002:TN), Inspector General of Police now on Compulsory Wait, has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Technical Services, Chennai.
  4. Dr R Thirunavukkarasu (IPS:2010:TN), Deputy Inspector General of Police now on Compulsory Wait, has been posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range.
  5. P Pakalavan (IPS:2009:TN), Deputy Inspector General of Police now on Compulsory Wait, has been posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, South, Greater Chennai Police, Chennai.
  6. Disha Mittal (IPS:2009:TN), Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, North, Greater Chennai Police, Chennai, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, West, Greater Chennai Police, Chennai.
  7. Bandi Gangadhar (IPS:2011:TN), Deputy Inspector General of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, East, Greater Chennai Police, Chennai, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Chief Vigilance Officer, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, Chennai.

Atul Kumar Thakur IPS: Cadre, IPS Journey, Batch and Posting

By
Santosh Suman
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Atul Kumar Thakur IPS
Atul Kumar Thakur IPS

Atul Kumar Thakur is a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT cadre from the 2008 batch. Over the years, he has served in several important policing and investigative roles, especially in Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Atul Kumar Thakur is currently posted as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

He is known for his experience in law enforcement and administration, he has handled key responsibilities in both state and central government assignments. His career has mainly focused on policing, investigations, and public security. Because of his work in Delhi Police and later in the CBI, he is considered one of the experienced officers of the AGMUT cadre.

Atul Kumar Thakur IPS Journey

Atul Kumar Thakur joined the Indian Police Service in 2008 and was allotted the AGMUT cadre, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories.

After joining the service, he worked in different policing assignments and gradually moved into senior administrative and investigative positions. His career growth reflects his long experience in handling law and order, police administration, and sensitive investigations.

Atul Kumar Thakur Profile: Short Info

FieldInformation
NameAtul Kumar Thakur
ServiceIndian Police Service (IPS)
Batch2008
CadreAGMUT Cadre
Current Service BackgroundDelhi Police / Central Deputation
Known ForDelhi Police assignments, CBI deputation, senior policing roles

Career in Delhi Police

A major part of Atul Kumar Thakur’s professional journey has been associated with Delhi Police. During his service, he worked in important operational and administrative roles.

One of his notable assignments was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Headquarters, Delhi Police. This position involves coordination of administrative matters, police management, and operational planning.

His experience in Delhi Police helped him gain exposure to urban policing, public safety management, and handling complex law and order situations in the national capital.

Atul Kumar Thakur Deputation to CBI

An important turning point in his career came in 2021 when the Government of India approved his deputation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as Superintendent of Police (SP). The appointment was made through official government approval for a four-year tenure.

Working in the CBI gave him the opportunity to handle investigation-related responsibilities at the national level. Public records and official documents later indicated that he was associated with senior investigative work within the agency.

His posting in the CBI further strengthened his profile as an officer with experience in both policing and investigation.

Major Career Postings

PositionOrganizationDetails
DCP (Headquarters)Delhi PoliceServed in an important administrative policing role before central deputation.
Superintendent of Police (SP)Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Inducted on deputation for four years in 2021.
DIG-Level ResponsibilitiesCBILater references indicate senior investigation-related responsibilities within CBI.
Senior Delhi Police AssignmentsDelhi PoliceWorked in important policing and administrative positions linked to Delhi Police operations.

Atul Kumar’s Administrative Experience

Throughout his career, Atul Kumar Thakur has worked in different areas of public administration and law enforcement. His responsibilities have included:

  • Police administration
  • Law and order management
  • Investigation-related work
  • Public security coordination
  • Administrative supervision

These assignments have helped him build experience in both field operations and policy-level implementation.

Professional Reputation

Among administrative circles, Atul Kumar Thakur is known as an officer with a strong policing background and experience in handling important assignments. His movement between Delhi Police and central agencies reflects the trust placed in him for sensitive responsibilities.

While detailed personal information about his family, education, and private life is not publicly available, official records highlight his professional achievements and career progression within the IPS.

Atul Kumar Thakur IPS Current Profile

As per available official records and government notifications, Atul Kumar Thakur continues to be associated with senior policing and investigative responsibilities under the AGMUT cadre and central government assignments.

His experience in Delhi Police and the CBI makes him one of the notable officers from the 2008 batch who has worked in both operational policing and central investigation agencies.

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