As India gears up for a festive year-end rush, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Kumar Jain has outlined ambitious initiatives to redefine rail travel, blending crisis resilience, digital innovation, and sustainability in an exclusive interview with Whispers in the Corridors, Consulting Editor, Rajendra Sharma.

Jain, a 1990-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service officer and chartered accountant who took helm in February 2024, highlighted IRCTC’s swift response to the early 2025 IndiGo flight grounding crisis, which stranded thousands. “Indian Railways augmented passenger trains to meet demand, with bookings available on our ticketing platform,” Jain said. Collaborating with Western and Central Railways, IRCTC deployed assistance desks at Ahmedabad Airport and Mumbai’s Terminals 1 and 2, underscoring its role in India’s multimodal transport ecosystem.

With Christmas and New Year travel peaking, IRCTC is rolling out zonal New Year packages via www.irctctourism.com, alongside railway-operated festival specials. 

Digitally, IRCTC shattered records this year: 37,410 tickets booked per minute on August 16 at 10:02 a.m., and 1.84 million in a single day on August 19. Nearly 89% of reserved tickets are now online, while e-catering—launched in 2014—delivers over 1.25 lakh meals daily. Looking to 2026, Jain teased an “Artificial Intelligence-enabled unified portal” for one-click travel solutions, partnering with tech giants.

Sustainability remains core, aligning with India’s green mobility drive. IRCTC is modernizing kitchens to electric and induction systems, ditching LPG/PNG, and promoting biodegradable cutlery across e-catering. Staff training on waste segregation targets plastic reduction and organic management.

Financially, IRCTC eyes “calibrated growth” in FY26, balancing premium expansions with affordability for tier-2 and tier-3 regions through Bharat Gaurav and budget tourist trains. Recent ASEAN events in Bangkok and Vietnam signal outbound tourism ambitions. Onboard, 2026 brings “gifts” like proof-of-concept meal trials on Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat express, tying up with brands such as Haldiram in Nagpur and Touchstone in Delhi-Mumbai. Serving 16.5 lakh meals daily, these upgrades aim to elevate culinary logistics.

Plus, RBI’s in-principle nod for IRCTC iPay as a payment aggregator promises a fintech revenue boost. “We’re positioned for steady performance,” Jain affirmed, as IRCTC bridges budget and luxury rails for millions. With Vande Bharat’s expansion, these steps could transform overcrowding into opportunity, keeping India on track for inclusive mobility.

(Detailed full interview in February issue of Whispersinthecorridors monthly magazine)

https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com/magazine/

Rakesh Agrawal Special Director NIA has been given additional charge of DG NIA. He is 1994 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Asit Gopal has been appointed as Special Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Textiles. He is a 1990 batch IFoS officer of MP cadre.

Ramesh Krishnamurthi has been appointed as Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in the rank and pay of Secretary to the GoI. He is a 1992 batch IRS (lT) officer.

Mukesh Mangal has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

Ms Meenaxi Rawat has been appointed as CVO, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), Mumbai in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the GoI. She is a 1993 batch IES officer.

Ms Archana Sharma Awasthi has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education. She is a  1994 batch IRS (IT) officer.

Manoj Kumar has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Investment & Public Asset Management, Ministry of Finance. He is a 1994 batch IRS (IT) officer.

Nitesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. He is a 1995 batch ICAS officer.

Anupam Mishra has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. He is a 1995 batch IES officer.

Ms Anu Nagar has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. She is a 1995 batch IFoS officer of HP cadre.

Suchindra Misra has been appointed as Special Secretary, Department of Commerce. He is a 1992 batch IDAS officer.

Dilip Kumar has been appointed as Director General (Training), Skill Development & Entrepreneurship at Additional Secretary rank. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Shyamla Misra has been appointed as Administrator (Digital Bharat Nidhi), Department of Telecommunications at Additional Secretary rank. He is a 1996 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Ms Aneeta C Meshram has been appointed as Additional Secretary, President's Secretariat. She is a 1996 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Lav Aggarwal has been appointed as DG, Directorate General of Foreign Trade at Additional Secretary level. He is a 1996 batch IAS officer of AP cadre.

Ms Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development. She is a 1996 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Rakesh Gupta has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Health & Family Welfare. He is a 1997 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Ms Sonal Mishra has been appointed as Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Ministry of Labour & Employment at Additional Secretary level. She is a 1997 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Rabindra Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as CMD, Food Corporation of India at Additional Secretary level. He is a 1997 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Srikant Nagulapalli has been appointed as DG, Hydrocarbons at Additional Secretary level. He is a 1998 batch IAS officer of AP cadre.

Anandrao Vishnu Patil has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Higher Education. He is a 1998 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Ajoy Sharma has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Labour & Employment. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Ashutosh Agnihotri has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Solomon Arokiaraj has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat. He is a 2000 batch IAS officer of AP cadre.

Niranjan Kumar Sudhansu has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. He is a 2000 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Ms Vandana Jain has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser, Culture. She is a 1991 batch CSS officer.

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

D Saibaba has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power. He is a 1992 batch IRSME officer.

Satinder Kumar Bhall has been appointed as Secretary, North Eastern Council Secretariat, DoNER at Additional Secretary level. He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

Dinesh Mahur has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Defence. He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

Mayank Tiwari has been appointed as Additional Secretary, New & Renewable Energy. He is a 1993 batch IRSME officer.

Ateesh Kumar Singh has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. He is a 1994 batch IRTS officer.

Rakesh Mittal has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Defence. He is a 1995 batch IDES officer.

Ms D Sai Amutha Devi has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat. She is a 1995 batch IP&TA&FS officer.

Vedveer Arya has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser, Petroleum & Natural Gas. He is a 1997 batch IDAS officer.

Alok Prem Nagar has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj. He is a 1995 batch IFoS officer of HP cadre.

Chetan Prakash Jain has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSlR), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. He is a 1995 batch IRPS officer.

Ms Ballepu Radhika Chakravarthy has been appointed as Additional Secretary, National Commission for Women (NCW), Ministry of Women & Child Development. She is a 1996 batch IPoS officer.

Ms Anita Karn has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. She is a 1997 batch IFoS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Ms Debolina Thakur has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. She is a 1998 batch lA&AS officer.

Manish Tripathi has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence. He is a 1998 batch IDAS officer.

Srimat Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary at Director level, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). he is a 2011 batch ISS officer.

Biswajit Pegu has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration at Director level, Assam. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Assam cadre.

Ms Rashmi Kamal has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration at Director level, West Bengal. She is a 2006 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

The post of Ravinder Kumar as Private Secretary to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Agriculture Minister upgraded to Director level. He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

The post of Arun G has been appointed as Director in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. He is a 2012 batch IES officer.

The post of Ms Prerna Joshi has been upgraded as Director, Central Information Commission (CIC). She is a 2012 batch IES officer.

Sivavikram has been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) grade in National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre.

Sandeep has been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) grade in National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Mrs Sujata Singh has been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) grade in National Investigation Agency (NIA). She is a 2012 batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

R K Shahspurwad has been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) grade in National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of Karnataka cadre.

P H Maheshnaraian has been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) grade in National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of Manipur cadre.

The tenure of Madhu Sankunny Nair as Chairman & Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited has been extended till January 31, 2026. His second term came to end on December 31, 2025. Nair was given a one-month extension till his superannuation.

(We said this on Sept 26, 2025)

Abhay Kumar, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Azerbaijan. He is a 2003 batch IFS officer.

Om Prakash Singh, Director/FSL, Madhuban with addl. charge of DG/HSNCB(H) and officiating charge of DGP, Haryana (HoPF) will retire from government service on December 31 2025 on attaining the age of superannuation. He is a 1992 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

Muhammad Akil, Commandant General, Home Guards & Director Civil Defence, Haryana will retire from government service on December 31 2025 on attaining the age of superannuation. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

The 100 days foundation course of Civil Services was organized in Kevadia, Gujarat.

The Personnel  Ministry  has disposed off more than 20 lakh grievances of different nature related to employees.

The Govt organized a total 17 Rozgar Melas till now. Three Melas were organized in 2025. More than 11 lakhs successful candidates got the employment through these Melas.

Three IRS(C&IT) Officers have been attached to some units on a temporary basis. Accordingly,  Manish Kulhary, Addl Commissioner has been attached to Jaipur, GST & CX Zone while Kuldeep Kumar Singh, Addl Commissioner, DGEP, Delhi and Kumar Vivek, Jt Commissioner have been attached to Dte of Logistics, Delhi.

The CBIC has accepted the voluntary retirement applications of two IRS(C&IT) Officers. They are- M V Jeewan Roy and  P. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Both were Astt Commissioners.

Maithreyi Jagannathan stepped down as Category Leader for Health Care effective December 31, 2025, to pursue personal interests, amid P&G’s portfolio optimisation.

Congratulations to CBDT

CBDT needs to be congratulated for collecting 2500 crores of income tax by following NUGET approach. This approach needs to be followed in toto and scrutiny system of field formations /faceless assessment should be junked altogether. It is a fact that faceless assessments results in creation of huge demand giving rise to unending litigation and inviting charge of tax terrorism.The NUGET strategy resulted into extra revenue generation and gave impression of tax friendly tax administration.KUDOS TO CBDT AND KEEP IT UP.

Rajesh Gohel

(DATE WITH RTI completes 17 years on whispers)

No reply about Charitable Trust by the public authority

The Appellant filed an online RTI application dated 28.12.2023 seeking the information about Chiranjeev Charitable Trust which ran three schools. He asked how he was terminated without any show cause notice after 17 years of service. He sought for the permission letter for name change of the society from the Registrar office and other related information. The CIC observed that as per available record file, no reply was given to the Appellant at the initial stage by the answering Respondent and admonished him for the same. However, upon receipt of the hearing notice from the CIC, a suitable and pointwise reply has been given to the Appellant vide letter dated 06.10.2025, but, a copy of the same was not received by the Appellant. Accordingly, the CIC directed the Respondent to send a copy to the appellant along with relevant annexures, through speed-post as well as through email. Further, the CIC cautioned the Respondent Public Authority to act strictly within the precincts of the RTI Act by observing the timelines scrupulously and punctually, in future.

Comments

The simple act of replying to the RTI applicant can prevent the avoidable embarrassment of appearing before the CIC and wastage of time.

Citation: Vikram Singh v. Sub Registrar-VII (INA), Vikas Sadan, New Delh, File No: CIC/REVDP/A/2024/615016; Date of Decision : 14.10.2025

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

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