The Rajasthan government on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) finally relieved Dr KK Pathak (IAS:2001:RJ) from his charge, enabling him to take up his new assignment as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Fertilisers. This move brings an end to the stalemate that had persisted for weeks over his central deputation.
Dr Pathak was serving as Secretary, Department of Personnel, in the Rajasthan government.
The case drew attention when the Rajasthan government communicated to the Centre that it had withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) earlier granted for his central deputation. Reportedly, the state government took the decision in July 2025, but conveyed it to the Centre only in the second week of September 2025.
Citing an acute shortage of IAS officers in the cadre, the state government was reluctant to relieve its key officers. Along with Dr Pathak, the central deputation requests of two other IAS officers, P Ramesh (IAS:2005:RJ) and Nakate Shiv Prasad Madan (IAS:2011:RJ), were also turned down.
Interestingly, the Union government on September 13, 2025, issued an order appointing Dr KK Pathak as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Fertilisers, despite the state’s communication about the withdrawal of his NOC. These back-to-back decisions by the state and the Centre triggered a wave of speculation within bureaucratic circles in both Delhi and Jaipur.
Though the Centre’s move indicated a clear outcome, the formal relieving order from the state was awaited to put the matter to rest. With Wednesday’s development, the long-drawn episode has finally concluded, clearing the way for Dr Pathak’s central posting.
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