The Election Commission of India is examining a report sent by West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty. The report is about steps taken on the Commission’s directions related to election work. This includes higher payment for booth-level officers (BLOs) and action against officials accused of breaking rules during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.
Officials said the report was submitted before the 5:00 PM deadline on Monday, February 16. The Commission is currently on an official visit to Assam. It will study the report after returning. West Bengal is likely to face Assembly elections in the coming weeks, so preparations are being closely watched.
At a meeting held on February 13, the Commission had asked the state to release the revised honorarium for BLOs and their supervisors without delay. It also directed payment for officials involved in the voter list revision work. The Commission had earlier increased the annual payment for BLOs and supervisors. It also approved honorarium for electoral registration officers and assistant electoral registration officers to strengthen ground-level election work.
The Commission had also ordered that FIRs be filed against officials who are found to have deliberately violated election rules. It has stressed the need for accountability, transparency and clean voter rolls before the Assembly polls.
The review of the state’s response will help the Commission assess how prepared West Bengal is for the upcoming elections and whether its directions are being properly followed.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) gave a new posting to senior IAS officer V Hekali Zhimomi (IAS:1996:UP). She had been waiting for an assignment since she returned from central deputation in November 2025. She has now been appointed Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department.
With her appointment, Anil Kumar-3 (IAS:1998:UP) has been relieved of the Forest portfolio. He was earlier holding charge of the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department along with the Panchayati Raj Department.
V Hekali Zhimomi was sent back to her parent cadre, Uttar Pradesh, on November 8, 2025. At that time, she was serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Health & Family Welfare at the Centre. She had gone on central deputation in September 2021 as Joint Secretary in the same department for a five-year term till September 2026. However, she was repatriated almost a year before completing her tenure.
They will now be eligible for posting as IG or in equivalent ranks in central police organisations and other Union government offices, depending on vacancies and further orders.
In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) waived the mandatory cooling-off period for central deputation in respect of Sadanand S Date(IPS:2007:UK). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to relax the provisions of the IPS Tenure Policy, granting him exemption from the three-year cooling-off requirement.
Date had recently returned to his parent cadre, Uttarakhand, after completing a seven-year tenure in the Central Bureau of Investigation. He was inducted into the CBI as Superintendent of Police in 2018 for an initial five-year term, during which he was promoted to Deputy Inspector General. His deputation was subsequently extended by two years until August 2025, following which he was repatriated with the stipulated cooling-off period.
Known for his integrity and meticulous working style, Sadanand S Date headed the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Mumbai as DIG for nearly three years and supervised several high-profile investigations. He was also conferred the President’s Police Medal for meritorious service on the occasion of Republic Day 2026.
The relaxation of the cooling-off period indicates that the central government may seek to utilise his services again at the Centre.
IAS officer P Hemalatha(IAS:2000:KN), Development Commissioner, SEZ, Cochin, has been granted ex-post facto entrustment of additional charge as Chairman of theMarine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Cochin.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Commerce for ex-post facto approval of the additional charge held by her for the period from December 18, 2025 to January 2, 2026.
P Hemalatha has also recently received a three-month extension in the post of Secretary,Spices Board, at the Joint Secretary level. She has been holding this responsibility in additional capacity since January 2025.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Tourism for his repatriation.
Mebanshailang R Synrem had assumed charge of the Joint Secretary post in January 2023 for a tenure of five years, which was originally scheduled to continue until January 2028. However, with the latest decision, he is returning to his cadre nearly two years ahead of the completion of his approved tenure.
The central deputation of Manoj Sethi (ICAS:1993), Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Fertilizers, has been extended by one year.
An order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) said the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension. His tenure has been extended beyond February 4, 2026, for one more year or until further orders, whichever comes first.
Manoj Sethi has been working in the Department of Fertilizers since September 2023. His central deputation was earlier set to end on February 4, 2025. It was then extended till February 4, 2026. With the latest order, he will now continue till February 4, 2027, unless the government decides otherwise.
Before joining the Department of Fertilizers, he was on central deputation in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He joined there as Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser on February 4, 2020, for a five-year term.
Gamini Singla IAS is a 2021 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre who secured All India Rank 3 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021. She became one of the top achievers in the country and gained national attention for her dedication and strong preparation strategy. Many UPSC aspirants search online about her journey, background, and especially about Gamini Singla IAS Posting and Gamini Singla IAS Current Posting, as she represents a young and inspiring face of Indian administration.
Early Life and Family Background
Gamini Singla was born in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. She was just 23 years old when she cleared the UPSC examination with a top rank. She belongs to a highly educated and supportive family. Her father, Dr. Alok Singla, and her mother, Dr. Neerja Singla, are both medical professionals. Her brother, Tushar Singla, is an IIT Kharagpur graduate. Growing up in such an academic environment helped Gamini develop discipline, focus, and a strong interest in learning from an early age.
She completed her schooling at Mount Carmel School in Anandpur Sahib. During her school years, she was known as a bright and hardworking student. Her strong academic foundation played an important role in shaping her future success.
Gamini Singla IAS Education
When people search for Gamini Singla IAS Education, they often want to know about her technical background. After completing school, Gamini pursued a B.Tech degree in Computer Science Engineering from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh. She graduated in 2019.
During her engineering studies, she proved herself as a talented and capable student. As part of her course curriculum, she completed an internship with JP Morgan, a well-known multinational company. Her performance during the internship was impressive, and she even received a job offer from the company.
Turning Point: Choosing Civil Services Over Corporate Job
A simple visit to a government office changed Gamini’s career path. When she went to obtain her driving licence, she interacted briefly with a district collector. That interaction left a deep impact on her. She was inspired by the authority, responsibility and ability of an IAS officer to bring real change in society.
After that experience, she decided to decline the corporate job offer and prepare for the Civil Services Examination. It was a bold decision because she chose public service over a secure and high-paying private job.
UPSC Journey and Hard Work
The journey to becoming an IAS officer was not easy. In her first attempt, Gamini could not clear the examination. However, she did not lose hope. Instead of giving up, she analyzed her mistakes and improved her strategy.
She followed a disciplined routine and studied around 9 to 10 hours daily. She focused on understanding concepts rather than just memorizing facts. She chose Sociology as her optional subject because she wanted to understand society and governance more deeply.
Her hard work paid off in the Civil Services Examination 2021. The final results were declared on May 30, 2022. That year was special because the top three ranks were secured by women candidates. Shruti Sharma secured AIR 1, Ankita Agarwal secured AIR 2, and Gamini Singla secured AIR 3.
She scored a total of 1045 marks out of 2025. This included 858 marks in the written Mains examination and an impressive 187 marks in the Personality Test (Interview). Her strong interview performance showed her clarity of thought, confidence, and balanced personality.
Gamini Singla IAS
Gamini Singla IAS Posting and Current Role
After her selection, Gamini was allocated the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Many people frequently search for Gamini Singla IAS Posting details to know where she is serving.
As part of her administrative career, she has been serving in Uttar Pradesh and is currently posted as Chief Development Officer, Badaun. Prior to this assignment she was Joint Magistrate in Sultanpur since June 30, 2024.
In this role, she is responsible for maintaining law and order, supervising development projects, implementing government schemes, and ensuring smooth district administration. The position of Joint Magistrate is important because it involves direct interaction with the public and solving their everyday problems.
Inspiration for UPSC Aspirants
The story of Gamini Singla IAS is especially inspiring for young students who are confused between corporate careers and civil services. She had a high-paying job opportunity from a multinational company, yet she chose the challenging path of UPSC preparation.
Her journey teaches three important lessons:
Clear purpose is important for success.
Failure in the first attempt does not mean the end.
Discipline and consistency can lead to top results.
She studied regularly, improved her weak areas, and stayed focused on her goal. Her success proves that with proper planning and dedication, even engineering graduates can excel in humanities-based subjects like Sociology in UPSC.
A Young Officer with Big Responsibilities
Today, Gamini Singla IAS represents a new generation of civil servants who are educated, confident, and committed to public service. Her background in engineering helps her understand technology and digital governance, while her Sociology optional gives her a deeper understanding of society.
From Anandpur Sahib to becoming AIR 3 in UPSC and serving in Uttar Pradesh, her journey shows determination and courage. Her story continues to motivate thousands of civil services aspirants across India who dream of wearing the IAS badge one day.
In simple words, Gamini Singla’s life is a perfect example of how hard work, right guidance and strong willpower can turn dreams into reality.
Destiny has brought unforgettable moments to the lives of five retired Kerala State Police Service officers, who are going to don their uniforms again. And that too, with an added glory, as they will now wear a different badge—the glowing badge of IPS on their shoulders. Thanks to the Home Ministry, which has decided to confer them with IPS rank after retirement?
There are virtually a total of 10 such officers from the Kerala police service, five serving and five retired, who have been awarded IPS in recognition of their meritorious service, drawn from the 2023 and 2024 select lists, according to a top officer with the police department.
Among the retired state police service officers who have been conferred with the IPS title are B Krishnakumar, Prejish Thottathil, E N Suresh, and A U Sunil Kumar (2023 list) and C S Shahul Hameed (2024 list).
Among serving officers are Nasim (SP, Marine Enforcement—2023 list), N Rajan (SP, KSEB Vigilance), G Sabu (SP, Special Branch, Kozhikode), P Vikraman (Vigilance Officer-excise), Jossy Cherian (pending clearance in disciplinary proceedings)—all from the 2024 list
According to an officer, all the retired officers in the list have happily expressed their willingness to rejoin the force. Some have already rejoined and are now awaiting formal appointments after the gazette notification. There is a lone exception of Jossy Cherian, as he is yet to receive official clearance due to a pending inquiry.
As per a govt source, as the retirement age for state service officers in Kerala is 56, many officers miss the opportunity of being conferred with the IPS rank before retirement. That is the reason why most officers on the current conferred IPS list are aged between 56 and 58. Thus, this move gives them an opportunity to serve the force for another two to four years, as the retirement age for an IPS officer is 60.
A media report quoting a source with the Kochi city police said the delay in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) approving the select lists for 2023 and 2024 resulted in the setback of promotions and appointments under the conferred IPS category. Such delays, he pointed out, have occurred in the past as well, and at times, have extended even longer than the present instance.
A well-placed officer confided that those who are awarded the conferred IPS while still in service gain the added benefit of service extension, along with the prescribed pay scale and allowances. However, those who receive it after retirement will have a break in their service record, though they are entitled to the pay scale and other allowances of an IPS-ranked officer.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mission Karmayogi is pushing ahead with civil services reforms. The focus is on better training for government officials. Digital tools and artificial intelligence are being used for learning.
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the mission is showcasing its work at a special pavilion in Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, 2026. The aim is to show how AI can help improve governance and public service delivery.
The stall has been set up by the Capacity Building Commission and Karmayogi Bharat. It presents AI-based learning tools linked to the iGOT Karmayogi platform. These tools offer role-based and personalised courses in different languages. The idea is to make learning part of daily office work.
Some of the tools on display include AI-based capacity-building plans that study an officer’s role and skills. There is AI Sarthi for answering queries, AI Tutor for help during courses, and an automated system that provides transcripts with subtitles in many languages. A recommendation system also suggests courses for regular upskilling.
The pavilion also features courses focused on AI. These courses aim to improve digital skills and basic understanding of AI in government. Topics include use of AI in governance, strategy and risks linked to new technologies.
On February 20, a panel discussion titled “AI for Viksit Bharat: The Capacity Building Imperative” will be held at the summit. Experts and senior officials will discuss how AI-based learning can support governance reforms. Earlier, a pre-summit discussion on AI and capacity building was held at Vigyan Bhawan.
Mission Karmayogi is one of the largest civil services reform programmes in the world. It moves the system from rule-based working to role-based skill development. The iGOT Karmayogi platform now has over 1.4 crore users from central ministries, departments, states and union territories. It offers more than 4,300 courses for continuous learning.
The mission’s presence at the summit highlights the government’s focus on using AI responsibly to improve administrative capacity and governance.
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