Major events likely this month-end ?

Before Dussehra some major events including the appointment of new BJP President, Cabinet reshuffle and appointment of new Governors are likely to take place. One can wait and watch.

Public Works Strategies

In 2025, India’s public works strategies prioritise timely project delivery through enhanced procurement reforms, digital monitoring, and mega-infrastructure initiatives like high-speed rail and renewable energy parks. These efforts align with the goal of reaching a US$5 trillion economy, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and integration with global ambitions for Ease of Doing Business.

3.2 million jobs by 2025 aimed

The Indian government continues to bolster the startup ecosystem through various schemes, aiming for 3.2 million jobs by 2025.

As per information the DGDE has changed the names of five Cantonment Boards. Now, Belgaum Board has been renamed as Belgavi, Cannanore will be known as Kunnur, Ahmednagar Cantt has been changed to Ahlyanagar Cantt Board. Aurangabad Board has been renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Kirki will now be known as Khadki Cantt Board.

Amid US outsourcing fears, TCS announced a global reshuffle, reassigning 500+ employees from its US teams to Indian GCCs in Hyderabad and Mumbai. This includes upgradation of roles to focus on non-US clients in Europe, with no layoffs but potential salary adjustments for relocated staff.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has failed to find a suitable candidate for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) at a selection meeting held on September 12, 2025 after interviewing five persons. The Board has advised the concerned Ministry to choose a candidate through Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC).

Manoj Yadav, former DG RPF, has been appointed as Director General of Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA). He is a 1988 batch retired IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

In situ promotion as Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been granted to Jaideep Singh currently posted as Joint Director, IB. He is a 1997 batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

In situ promotion as Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been granted to Janardan Singh currently posted as Joint Director, IB. He is a 1997 batch IPS officer of Nagaland cadre.

In situ promotion as Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been granted to Samir S Ilme currently posted as Joint Director, IB. He is a 1997 batch IPS officer of Manipur cadre.

In situ promotion as Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been granted to Rajesh Subarno currently posted as Joint Director, IB. He is a 1997 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre.

In situ promotion as Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been granted to Omendra Nath Bhaskar currently posted as Joint Director, IB. He is a 1997 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

Devidatta Satapathy, CVO, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port Authority, Kolkata, has been assigned an additional charge of CVO, Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Paradip for a period of one year. He is a 2009 batch IRSME officer.

Rs 6.47 cr ecotourism bravo-Coracle rides worth every spin: I Anwardeen, PCCF (R&E), Chennai Brainchild of I Anwardeen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Research & Education), Chennai, the Baralikkadu Eco-tourism project in Coimbatore Forest Division, Tamil Nadu, in participation with tribals from 21 local settlements, have so far, generated a whopping Rs 6.47 crore.

While sharing the project details with WITC, the 1994 batch IFS officer speaks of Baralikkadu Eco-tourism project that is beneficially harvested by forest managers and tribal communities and broadly and successfully defines ecotourism as tourism and is ecologically sustainable.  

For full story read October 2025 English and Hindi magazine issues

Ms. Paramita Tripathi (IFS:2001), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait.

The DGFT has relieved five CSS officers, They are- Jitendra Kumar Thakur, Shashi Kant Kumar Jaykeshav Kumar, Naresh Kumar Saini and Munish Kumar. They were posted as Section Officers/FTDO in DGFT.

The upgraded posting of Bishnu Charan Mallick as Director, Census Operations (DCO)/ Director of Citizen Registration (DCR), Rajasthan to Joint Secretary level has been extended upto December 31, 2025. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

The upgraded posting of Ms Nirupama J Dange as Director of Census Operations (DCO). Director of Citizen Registration (DCR), Maharashtra to the Joint Secretary level has been extended upto December 31, 2025. She is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Ashutosh Dwivedi, ED, CIL, has been appointed as Director (Technical), Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL). The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved his appointment to the post.

The central deputation tenure of Dinesh Kumar working as Joint Secretary, Department of Defence has been extended for a period of one year beyond December 6, 2025. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.

The central deputation tenure of Mahmood Ahmed working as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been extended for a period upto October 27, 2027. He is a 1993 batch IP&TAFS officer.

VRS application of Rajat Datta, Commissioner Income Tax (CIT), Patna has been accepted. He is a 2007 batch IRS officer.

Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, CCL, is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Coal India Limited (CIL).

A shift from reactive to proactive bureaucracy, with IAS/IPS focusing on tech-integrated flood forecasting (e.g., SMS alerts). Anti-corruption in infrastructure projects is rising, with stricter checks on dams like Bhakra.

Dassault Aviation's stake increase in DRAL triggered a full reshuffle in the JV's board, with two Reliance directors posted to Paris for strategic oversight, marking a shift from equal partnership to French-majority control. This affects ~200 Indian engineers in joint R&D for Rafale components.

Thirteen IAS officers have been given field postings as Collector and District Magistrate of various districts in Andhra Pradesh. Mrs Kritika Shukla has been appointed as Collector & District Magistrate (DM), Painadu District, while P Raja Babu takes over as Collector & DM, Prakasam and Himanshu Shukla is now Collector & DM, Nellore. Similarly, N Prabhakar Reddy will be posted as Collector & DM, Parvathipuram Manyam; Nishanth Kumar as Collector & DM, Annamayya; Dr A Siri  as Collector & DM, Kurnool; Dr V Vinod Kumar as Collector & DM, Bapatia; Thameem Ansaria A as Collector & DM, Guntur; S Rama Sunder Reddy as Collector & DM, Vizianagaram; Mrs Kirti Chekuri as Collector & DM, East Godavari; O Anand as Collector & DM, Ananthapuramu and A Shyam Prasad will join as Collector & District Magistrate, Sri Satya Sai District.

B. Venkanna, who was formerly serving as Deputy Chief Operations Manager (FOIS & Planning), Headquarters, South Central Railway (SCR), has been selected for deputation to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) as Executive Director (Coal Movement) for a period of three years from the date of his relief on July 21, 2025. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

IRCON International Limited has invited applications from SAG/NFSAG-CGM level officers to fill the post of Chief General Manager/ Mechanical for Corporate Office, New Delhi on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by October 10, 2025.

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is seeking to fill the post of Group General Manager - Design, Civil Structure on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by October 10, 2025.

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is seeking to fill the post of Additional General Manager - Civil on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by October 10, 2025.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is seeking Young Professional, Visakhapatnam Regional Passport Office on contract basis. Applications can be sent to rpo.vizag@mea.gov.in.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas invites applications from retired employees of Central Government/ Statutory/Autonomous Bodies/PSU to render their services as Consultant (Accounts) as per the requirement of the Commission. Applications must reach latest by September 23, 2025.

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is seeking to fill various posts on deputation basis for Karaikal and Puducherry institutes. The posts to be filled in for Puducherry include System Analyst, Controller of Examinations, Deputy director (Admin), while Registrar is being sought for Karaikal and Puducherry. Applications must reach latest by September 22, 2025.

 

Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) has advertised for the filling up of three posts of Inspector (Enemy/ Property) on deputation basis. While two posts are for branch office Kolkata one post is for New Delhi Head Office. Applications must reach latest by September 24, 2025.

Embassy of state of Kuwait has announced one scholarship for India for Religious Education offered by Kuwait University, Government of Kuwait, for the academic year 2025-2026. Applications must reach latest by November 20, 2025.

Tenure of Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samaria has ended on September 12. The GoI is yet to name new CIC.

Anandi Ramalingam is likely to succeed Heeralal Samria as Chief Information Commissioner in the CIC. Orders are expected soon.

Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari, former Chief Justice Madras High Court, has been appointed as Chairman of  PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) Appellate Tribunal.

Tarun Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary (Personnel), Ministry of External Affairs. He is a 2000 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre.

Pawan Kumar Sharma has been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

M Angamuthu has been appointed as Chairperson (Joint Secretary level), Mumbai Port Authority, Mumbai. He is a 2002 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Dinesh Kumar Verma has been appointed as Secretary at Joint Secretary, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). He is a CSS officer.

Ms Chhavi Bhardwaj has been appointed as Joint Secretary, DoPT with additional charge of CEO, Karmayogi Bharat. She is a 2008 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Ms Nidhi Pandey has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Atomic Energy. She is a 1991 batch IInfoS officer.

Ashim Kumar Modi has been appointed as Joint Secretary & FA, Ministry of Coal. He is a 2000 batch IRS-IT officer.

Ms Meenakshi Jolly has been appointed as Additional DG at Joint Secretary level, National Museum. She is a CSS officer.

Ms Anvita Sinha has been appointed as Senior Directing Staff, National Defence College. She is a 2003 batch IRPS officer.

Ms Aishvarya Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Drinking Water & Sanitation. She is a 2008 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.

Amit Singla has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Tarun Kumar Pithode has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Ms Ekroop Caur has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Expenditure. She is a 2001 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Krishna Kant Pathak has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Fertilizers. He is a 2001 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

Ms Shalini Pandit has been appointed as Secretary, Financial Services. She is a 2001 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre.

Arvind Khare has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. He is a 2000 batch IDAS officer.

Madhup Vyas has been appointed as Executive Director, NIDM. He is a 2000 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Chetan P S Rao has been appointed as Member (Finance), DDA. He is a 2002 batch IRS-IT officer.

Ms Garima Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Information & Broadcasting. She is a CSS officer.

Suresh Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Justice. He is a CSS officer.

Ajay Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Legal Affairs. He is a 1993 batch IRSS officer.

Phool Chand Prasad has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Legal Affairs. He is a CSS officer.

Ms Archana Mittal has been appointed as Advisor at Joint Secretary level NITI Aayog. She is a 1996 batch IRSME officer.

Ms Nidhi Pandey has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Official Language. She is a 2001 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra. cadre.

Sushil Kumar Patel has been appointed as Joint Secretary, DoPT. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.

Satyaprakash T L has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Pharmaceuticals. He is a 2002 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Aman Sharma has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. He is a 2002 batch IPoS officer.

Shreeshail Malge has been appointed as Joint Secretary & FA, Department of Posts. He is a 2002 batch IRAS officer.

Chetan Nand Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He is a 1994 batch IRSEE officer.

Nishant Verma has been appointed as Joint Secretary, ANRF. He is a 1999 batch IFS officer of UD cadre.

Harikishore s has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Tourism. He is a 2008 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Rajamurugan Muthukalathi has been appointed as Managing Director, TRIFED. He is a 1996 batch IPS officer of Manipur cadre.

Ms V Lalithalakshmi has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Vice President's Secretariat. She is a 2008 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

Ms Shilpa Sachin Shinde has been appointed as CMD, WAPCOS. She is a 2006 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Sumant Narain has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. He is a 2000 batch IA &AS officer.

Ajeet Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development. He is a 2002 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Ms Radhika Jha has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development. She is a 2002 batch IAS officer of UD cadre.

Mansoor Hasan Khan has been appointed as Joint Secretary & FA, Youth Affairs. He is a 2002 batch IDAS officer.

Reliance Industries' European arm in the UK welcomed three new senior hires from British firms for its Jio Platforms expansion, focusing on 5G infrastructure upgradation in London and Manchester. These joinings are part of a £500M investment push, emphasising local talent integration to mitigate Brexit-related delays.

Raj Kumar Modi has been reappointed as Managing Director of PMC Fincorp Limited.

Prabhat Modi has been reappointed as Whole-Time Director of PMC Fincorp Limited.

Yogesh Kumar Garg has been reappointed as Independent Director of PMC Fincorp Limited.

Balakrishna Raghavendra Rao is deemed to have been elected as Shareholder Director of Canara Bank

Mrs. Anita Jatia has been reappointed as Whole-Time Director, designated as Executive Director, of ASI Industries Limited.

R V R Kishore has been appointed as Additional Whole-Time Director of Patel Engineering Limited.

Parveen Kaushik has been appointed as Whole-Time Director (Key Managerial Personnel) of Invigorated Business Consulting Limited

Shobhan I. Diwanji has been appointed as Independent Director of Stanrose Mafatlal Investments & Finance Limited, effective August 1, 2025

Mrs. Heena Banga Sharma has resigned as Independent Director of Likhami Consulting Limited.

Ms. Djena Sunavala has been appointed as Additional Independent Director of Zodiac Clothing Company Limited.

Navin Tahilyani has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.

Samit Upadhyay has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.

Solmaz Altin has resigned as Non-Executive Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.

Anuj Bhargava has resigned as Non-Executive Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.

Skyscanner's 2025 Travel Trend Report 

Skyscanner's 2025 Travel Trend Report reveals some exciting insights into Indian travelers' behavior and preferences.

1- Increased Spending on Flights : 86% of Indian travelers plan to maintain or increase their spending on flights in 2025, indicating a strong appetite for global travel.

2- Unique Experiences Over Cost: While cost remains a consideration, with 65% monitoring hotel prices and 62% checking flight fares, there's a growing inclination towards unique experiences.

3- Top Destinations: Shillong, India, and Baku, Azerbaijan, have emerged as favorites, with Shillong's Cherry Blossom Festival being a major draw. Shillong has been ranked as India's most-searched travel destination in 2025, surpassing popular spots like Goa and Manali.

4- Travel Preferences: The report highlights the appeal of Shillong's scenic charm, cultural landmarks, and outdoor activities like trekking and exploring the Laitlum Canyons and Umiam Lake.

5- Travel Trends: Skyscanner's report also notes that travelers are seeking relaxation getaways and international trips to bucket-list destinations, with city breaks gaining popularity as people regain confidence in visiting urban areas.

Overall, the report suggests that Indian travelers are looking for memorable experiences and are willing to spend on flights to achieve that.

Deepa Jain

Denial of information by a one liner reply

The appellant had worked on deputation for three years with CONCOR and sought information about the Foreign Service Contribution (FSC) due to which payment of his gratuity had been stopped. The PIO replied that the applicant may seek the information from the concerned Railway Administration and the detailed response can be obtained by the applicant from the concerned East Central Railway. The CIC observed that the denial of information by the PIO on both the points of RTI Application in one liner without substantiating the same under any relevant exemption clause of Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act depicts that this case has been handled badly which is contrary to the spirit of the RTI Act. Observing that the PIO is expected to have applied her mind and should have facilitated relevant information as sought by the appellant by invoking Section 5(4) or Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, the CIC commented that “This reply is as bad as possible”. The CIC held that inaction on the part of then CPIO and the present CPIO is prima facie established. As the then PIO had superannuated, the CIC issued a show cause notice to the present PIO for imposing penalty. Further, the Respondent was directed to re-examine the contents of RTI Application and provide a point-wise revised updated reply against all the points.

Comments

It is observed that some PIO’s try to wash their hands off by giving vague or terse reply. Such casual conduct of the PIO causes unwarranted obstruction to the free flow of information and is a violation of the provisions of the RTI Act which may lead to punitive action against them.

Citation: Vijay Kumar Verma v. Container Corporation of India Ltd, File No: CIC/CCOFI/A/2024/105017; Date of Decision: 11.07.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com