New Delhi: The central government on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) appointed two Indian Economic Service (IES) officers, Sarah Mujeeb (IES:2010) and Kaviarasan K (IES:2011), as Directors in central government departments for five years.
Sarah Mujeeb has been selected for appointment as Director in the Department of Public Enterprises, Delhi, while Kaviarasan K has been appointed Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi. Both officers were recommended for central deputation by the Department of Economic Affairs.
According to orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the appointments have been approved under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years from the date the officers assume charge of their respective posts or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
In a fresh twist to the legal battle over the deputation of the IPS officers to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Union Home Ministry to produce the original files related to cadre review proposals for the CAPFs. The top court wants to get assured if they were sent after the six-month deadline set by its May 2025 verdict.
A bench comprising Justices Manoj Mishra and Ujjal Bhuyan said the enactment of the new law would not affect the cadre review of five forces. The apex court asked the ministry to submit files detailing the action taken on the court’s directions, including the cadre review proposals.
The Centre assured the bench that the files would be produced at the next hearing.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on October 27. It includes a contempt petition filed by CAPF officials alleging non-compliance with the court’s directions and the Centre’s application seeking more time to complete the cadre review.
The top court, however, refused to halt the deputation of IPS officers to the CAPFs, saying issuing such a direction without data may not be appropriate as it could create an administrative vacuum.
A group of CAPF officers have filed a contempt petition against the Centre alleging that the directions had not been followed the apex court’s directions issued on May 23, 2025.
They argued that the new CAPF law would have no bearing on the direction requiring the Centre to conduct cadre reviews in all the forces.
It is noteworthy here that the cadre reviews have not been done since 2021 despite the Supreme Court’s order to complete them within six months of the May 23, 2025 judgment.
The CAPF cadre officers have alleged that the Home Ministry issued letters inviting proposals for the cadre review after the six-month deadline. The CAPF officers described this as an act of flagrant violation of the court’s order.
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, came into force on October 8. Under this Act, 50 percent of the IG posts, at least 67 percent of the Additional DG posts and all posts of Special DG and DG ranks are reserved for the IPS officers on deputation.
The apex court had earlier asked for an explanation from the Home Secretary over the deputation of 46 IPS officers to five CAPFs despite its direction to progressively reduce their numbers. The ministry and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) were also asked to submit details of the steps taken to comply with the verdict.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad will be hosting a grand Dikshant Parade of the 78th batch of trainee IPS (Regular Recruits) on October 17.
A total of 151 trainee officers belonging to the 2025 batch, comprising 135 IPS probationers and 16 foreign officers from Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, will be participating in it. It also includes 35 women officers.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan (IAS:1989:SK) will review the parade as the chief guest.
After completing a 15-week foundation course at the LBSNAA in Mussoorie, these trainees joined the Hyderabad academy on December 8, 2025.
According to the SVPNPA Director, their 45-week training at the academy was focused on conventional policing alongside emerging challenges, including cyber crime, cryptocurrency-related fraud, financial crimes, drug trafficking, the darknet, artificial intelligence and threats posed by drones.
The curriculum at the academy also covers the implementation of the three new criminal laws, investigation, forensics, internal security, public order, information technology, criminology, police management, ethics and human rights.
Besides, they are imparted practical instruction as well that includes investigation and riot-control simulations, mock court proceedings, case studies and exercises involving investigative tools.
Then comes the turn of outdoor training. It covers weapons handling, firing, unarmed combat, fieldcraft, tactical operations, map reading, physical fitness, yoga and equitation.
Their final examinations in indoor and outdoor subjects have been completed. They need to take qualifying examinations in cadre languages, driving, swimming, first aid and other subjects to be conducted during the second phase.
According to the academy Director, the probationers also visited police stations to understand the functioning of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) and other operational procedures.
According to him, they were also taught security arrangements during Ganesh idol immersion processions, cricket matches and Assembly elections in Assam and Kerala.
Under specialised attachments programme, the probationers were given jungle survival training at Greyhounds in Telangana, rock climbing with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and advanced weapons training at the Border Security Force’s Central School of Weapons and Tactics.
The programme also includes exposure to Army operations in the northern and eastern sectors and CRPF operations in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism.
After the parade is concluded, the trainees will go to Delhi for four weeks of attachments with central police organisations, armed police forces and other institutions, completing the 49-week first phase.
They will subsequently undergo 29 weeks of district practical training in their allotted cadres before returning to the academy on June 21, 2027, for the nine-week second phase.
The final phase of training will conclude with their specialised attachments with the National Forensic Sciences University and a leadership module at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised AssamChief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Assam Police for their sustained crackdown on narcotics networks, citing 945 arrests, 547 registered cases and seizures of narcotics worth over ₹182 crore.
In a post on X on October 15, 2026, Shah also highlighted action against 703 drug hotspots and said the process of attaching properties worth nearly ₹31 crore was underway.
Shah said the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026–29, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nasha Mukt Bharat vision, reaffirms the government’s commitment to dismantling drug networks, targeting their financial foundations and safeguarding young people.
Details of the Statewide Operation
Assam Police conducted a statewide anti-drug operation on October 12, 2026, as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The campaign resulted in 547 drug-related cases being registered and 945 accused being arrested.
The operation also saw the execution of 73 non-bailable warrants and the apprehension of 47 absconders, including 10 from other northeastern states. Police conducted raids at more than 703 identified drug hotspots.
Authorities were also processing properties worth approximately ₹31 crore for seizure, attachment or freezing. In addition, 157 proposals were processed under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS).
Enforcement efforts extended to 2,229 raids under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), inspections of 3,662 business establishments and surveys of 2,943 educational institutions.
The operation also resulted in the seizure or destruction of 134,539 litres of liquor, including Indian Made Foreign Liquor.
Awareness and Public Outreach
Alongside enforcement, 633 awareness programmes were organised, reaching 112,532 citizens and students, according to the PIB release.
The campaign combines enforcement against narcotics networks with action targeting their financial resources and public awareness initiatives.
Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC Limited) has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its proposed merger with Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC).
In a disclosure to the stock exchanges dated October 15, 2026, REC confirmed receipt of the NOC, subject to the instructions and conditions specified by the RBI.
The development follows the decision by the boards of REC and PFC to approve the proposed merger scheme, as referenced in REC’s earlier communication to the stock exchanges dated June 28, 2026. The scheme remains subject to applicable regulatory and other approvals.
The RBI clearance marks a further step in the proposed merger process. However, the scheme will require other statutory and regulatory approvals, along with the necessary approvals from shareholders and creditors, wherever applicable under the relevant laws and the terms of the scheme.
In an unusual gesture of goodwill shown to its senior-most IAS officer with an unblemished career, the Haryana government on Tuesday exempted IAS officer Sudhir Rajpal (IAS:1990:HY) from restrictions applicable to officers during the last two months of service.
The Human Resources Department of the state govt issued an order on October 13 in this regard.
Rajpal retires on 30 November, so the two-month restraint period began on October 1.
The Haryana govt had issued instructions on May 26, 2022, restraining officers from exercising some crucial powers like transfers, promotions, recruitments and purchases during the last two months of service.
Rajpal is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation and Administration of Justice. Besides, he also holds the responsibilities of Environment, Forests & Wildlife, and Finance & Planning departments.
According to the order, he will now be able to “exercise all the powers enabling him as Administrative Secretary up to 15 November 2026.”
Rajpal has been an IAS officer known for high integrity and a spotless career.
Interestingly, the state govt gave him the free hand only on 13 October, three days after he had signed three transfer orders of 13 IPS and 22 HPS officers.
According to sources, these curbs were imposed on retiring officers after numerous complaints of financial irregularities, charges of nepotism and favouritism. The letter said all this had tarnished the government’s image.
That was the reason behind the state govt’s restrictions asking a retiring Administrative Secretary to must send five kinds of cases to the Chief Secretary for prior approval during his last two months of service.
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday (October 15, 2026) appointed senior IAS officer Govind Jaiswal (IAS:2007:AGMUT) as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.
As previously reported by LegendOfficers, Jaiswal’s premature repatriation from central deputation and transfer to the Jammu and Kashmir segment of the AGMUT cadre on October 9, 2026, were carried out to facilitate his appointment.
As per the order, Jaiswal will also hold the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, alongside his regular duties until further orders.
The post fell vacant after Mandeep K Bhandari (IAS:2001:AGMUT) was appointed Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on September 25, 2026.
New Delhi: Senior bureaucrat Padam Lal Negi (IDAS:1992), currently serving as Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre on personal grounds.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (October 16, 2026), the competent authority has approved the ministry proposal for his repatriation with effect from October 30, 2026.
Negi has been serving in the position since January 2023 and is scheduled to retire on November 30, 2026.
New Delhi: Bihar cadre IAS officer Thiyagarajan S M (IAS:2011:BH) has been appointed Director in the Ministry of Cooperation, Delhi, for a period of five years.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thusrday (October 16, 2026), the competent authority has approved his appointment under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years from the date he assumes charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Thiyagarajan is currently serving as Chairman of the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), Patna, with additional charge as Special Secretary in the Health Department. He has been holding these responsibilities since June 2026.
New Delhi: IPS officer Pratiksha Godara (IPS:2011:AGMUT) has been appointed Advisor (Security) at GAIL for a period of three years in the pay and rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (October 13, 2026), the competent authority has approved her appointment for three years from the date she assumes charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The MHA has requested that Godara be relieved immediately to enable her to join her new assignment at GAIL.
Since July 2026, this is her third transfer orders, Godara was transferred from Delhi to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in July 2026, when she was posted as Additional Commissioner of Police/Director (Operations) at Delhi Police Housing Corporation Limited (DPHCL). However, in another order issued on August 19, 2026, she was appointed Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic (Headquarters), Delhi Police. She has now been assigned to GAIL as Advisor (Security).
She came to prominence when she became first woman officer to be posted as DCP Special Cell Delhi Police in July 2023.
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