India’s diplomatic presence on the global stage is increasingly being shaped by accomplished women of the Indian Foreign Service, who today represent the country across the globe. From East Asia to Europe, Africa, Oceania and Latin America these women diplomats are at the forefront of strengthening India’s strategic, economic and cultural ties.

In Japan, Nagma Mohamed Mallick, Ambassador of India, is navigating one of India’s most strategic partnerships. She has been  concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Marshall Islands. In Italy, Vani Rao, Ambassador of India is lending  depth to India-Europe engagement. In the Indo-Pacific, Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand is sharpening  India’s outreach. Ms Neeta Bhushan (1994 batch), the former High Commissioner of India to New Zealand has been appointed as the next  Ambassador of India to the Republic of Poland. Across Africa and Middle east, envoys like Swati Vijay Kulkarni, Ambassador of India to  Algeria, Devyani Uttam Khobragade, Ambassador to Tunisia and Paramita Tripathi, Ambassador to Kuwait are consolidating India’s  interests in the region.

 In Europe, diplomats such as Gloria Gangte, Ambassador to Norway, Namrata S. Kumar- Ambassador to Latvia, Nilakshi Saha Sinha,  Ambassador to Armenia and Apoorva Srivastava- Ambassador to the Slovak Republic are advancing multifaceted relations. Further  afield, Abhilasha Joshi, Ambassador of India to Chile and Smita Pant, Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan are strengthening India’s  engagement in the region. And in Pakistan, Geetika Srivastava , Chargé d’Affaires of India to Pakistan continues to handle one of South  Block’s most delicate postings with charisma. Ms Neeta Bhushan - Posted as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Poland(1994 Batch)
 
(For more details, refer to March issue of the Whispers In The Corridors magazine

https://whispersinthecorridors.com/magazine/

The diplomatic positions occupied by females

1. Nagma Mohamed Mallick - Ambassador of India to Japan with concurrent charge of Ambassador of India to Republic of Marshall Islands (1991 Batch)

2.  Vani Rao - Ambassador of India to Italy (1994 Batch)

3.  Ms Muanpuii Saiawi - High Commissioner of India to New Zealand (2005 Batch)

4.  Mrs. Paramita Tripathi - Ambassador of India to Kuwait (2001 Batch)

5.  Gloria Gangte - Ambassador of India to Norway (2000 Batch)

6.  Abhilasha Joshi - Ambassador of India to Chile (1995 Batch)
 

7.  Ms. Smita Pant -  Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan (2001 Batch)

8.  Swati Vijay Kulkarni - Ambassador of India to Algeria (1995 Batch)

9.  Nilakshi Saha Sinha - Ambassador of India to Armenia (1993 Batch)

10.  Namrata S. Kumar - Ambassador of India to Latvia (1997 Batch)

11.  Devyani Uttam Khobragade - Ambassador of India to Tunisia (1999 Batch)

12.  Ms. Apoorva Srivastava -  Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic (2001 Batch)

13.  Ms. Geetika Srivastava (IFS: 2005) - Chargé d’Affaires, India to Pakistan (Islamabad)

14.   Rachita Bhandari – Posted as High Commissioner of India to Malta (2005 Batch)

15.   Ms Neeta Bhushan - Posted as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Poland(1994 Batch)

According to top sources, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s firm grip over the Assam bureaucracy is emerging as a decisive factor in his bid for re‑election. His administrative network, built on loyalty and efficiency, is seen as crucial in ensuring smooth policy delivery and maintaining political momentum. Three trusted bureaucrats from his inner circle have reportedly been tasked with identifying and curbing financial and administrative leakages across departments. Their mandate includes tightening governance systems, monitoring fund flow, and ensuring welfare schemes reach intended beneficiaries. Insiders suggest this strategy reflects Sarma’s reliance on bureaucratic precision to reinforce his image as a results‑oriented leader and safeguard the BJP’s political gains ahead of the polls.

The name of Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi has been recommended for the position of Chairman‑cum‑Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC‑Re).

Manish Goel is set to join the Competition Commission Of India(CCI) as DDG on deputation basis for a period of three years. He is a 2015 batch IRS(C&IT) Officer.

Ms Nidhi Chhibber, DG, Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office, NITI Aayog, has been assigned an additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog till the appointment of a regular incumbent.  She is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

The tenure of B V R Subrahmanyam as Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog came to an end. He is a 1987 batch retired IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Railways, has issued a legal notice detailing transfer restrictions and representations for institutional investors participating in the Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) Offer for Sale (OFS). According to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary, the OFS will open tomorrow for non-retail investors, marking the government’s plan to divest up to a 4% stake in IRFC. An additional 2% stake will be available under the green shoe option, aimed at meeting strong investor demand. Retail investors will be allowed to place their bids on Thursday. The sale is part of the Centre’s broader disinvestment strategy to optimize public sector holdings and enhance market liquidity.

Dnyaneshwar Bhalchandra Patil, Development Commissioner, Santa Cruz Exclusive Export Processing zone, has been assigned an additional charge of Development Commissioner, Special Economic Zone, Kandla till July 27, 2026. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

The central deputation tenure of Baldeo Purushartha working as Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs, has been extended for a period of one year beyond March 11, 2026. He is a 2002 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Pushp Kumar Nayar, ED, BPCL, has been selected for the post of Director (Human Resources), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 24, 2026. As many as 12 persons were interviewed for the same.

Harishankar Chaturvedi, Chief Project Manager, Railway Vikas Corporation Limited, has been selected for the post of Director (Projects), Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVC) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 23, 2026. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

RVN Vishweshar, Director (Finance), appears to be a contender for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL).

Ajit Kumar Mishra, Director (Works), IRCON, is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, IRCON International Limited.

As many as seven IAS officers of AGMUT cadres have been shifted to different segments. Accordingly, Dr Sravan Bagaria has been shifted to Goa, while K C Surender was posted to Puducherry and Sushil Singh is appointed to Mizoram. Similarly, Sivakumar A S was shifted to Lakshadweep; Ranjeet Singh to Mizoram; Ajay Kumar to DNH&DD and Pranjal J Hazarika was posted to Jammu & Kashmir.

Dr Atulya Misra has been appointed as Information Commissioner in the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. He is a retired IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Abhay Kumar Singh has been appointed as Information Commissioner in the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. He is a retired IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

As many as seven officers of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) have been promoted to Director level in the Government of India. The officers are: Arun Kumar, D S Nagalakshmi, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Irsad Alam, Rajesh Kumar Singh, 6 6906 Yogendra Prasad Yadav and Rajesh Kumar.

Over 2,800 posts vacant across IAS/IPS/IFoS (as of Feb 2026 Rajya Sabha data). Shortfalls noted in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc. Trending emphasis on timely cadre reviews, accelerated promotions for SCS officers, and incentives for “hardship” postings. IPS appointments show higher OBC/SC/ST representation than IAS/IFoS in recent years.

Upendra Malik and Jitendra Sharma have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

Gauri Kumar and P V Rao have been empanelled for appointments as IEMs. Both are from Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DAHD).

Ganesh Vishwakarma has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1982 batch officer and retired as Director (Projects & Business Planning) in SAIL

Gangaram Aloria has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer and retired as Chief Secretary, Govt of Gujarat.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is seeking to fill the post of Consultant in Central Passport Organisation for Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Pune, Vijayawada. Applications must reach latest by March 20, 2026.

Ministry of Labour and Employment has advertised posts of Assessors for Central Government Tribunals-cum-Labour Courts/ National Industrial Tribunals (CGIT-cum-LC/NITs). Applications must reach latest by March 10, 2026.

Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) has advertised the post of Assistant General Manager (Projects) for Bilaspur. Applications must reach latest by March 25, 2026.

Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) has advertised the post of Assistant General Manager and Joint General Manager (Civil) for Visakhapatnam, Chennai. Applications must reach latest by March 25, 2026.

Raman Research Institute is seeking to fill the post of Director. Applications must reach latest by March 28, 2026.

Last date to apply for the post of Legal Consultant for Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare has been extended. Details can be availed from the website of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

World Bank has advertised the post of Social Development Specialist for Guinea-Bissau. Applications must reach latest by March 9, 2026.

World Bank has advertised the post of Economist for Praia, Cabo Verde. Applications must reach latest by March 15, 2026.

World Bank has advertised the post of Senior Finance Assistant for Manila, Philippines. Applications must reach latest by March 13, 2026.

As many as 21 IPS officers have been given new assignments in Rajasthan. Dr. Hawa Singh Ghumaria has been appointed as Additional Director General of Police, Headquarters, Rajasthan, Jaipur, while Bipin Kumar Pandey will join as ADGP, Crime Branch, Jaipur and Prafull Kumar is now ADGP, Intelligence. Similarly, Raghavendra Suhas will take charge as ADGP, Training, Rajasthan, Jaipur; Rajesh Meena as Inspector General of Police, Home Guards, Jaipur; Sharat Kaviraj as Commissioner of Police, Jodhpur; Mrs. S Parimala as IGP, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jaipur; Om Prakash as Special Commissioner (Operations), Police Commissionerate, Jaipur; Vikas Kumar as IGP, Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Jaipur; Ajay Pal Lamba as IGP, SOG; Satyendra Singh as Inspector General of Police, Jodhpur Range, Jodhpur; Rahul Prakash as IGP , Jaipur Range, Jaipur; Hemant Kumar Sharma as IGP, SCRB, Jaipur; Satyendra Kumar as Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Institute for Transformation and Innovation (RITI), Jaipur; Dr. Preeti Chandra as IGP, Law & Order; Harendra Kumar Mahawar as IGP, CID (CB), Jaipur; Rahul Kotoki as IGP, Personnel, Police Headquarters, Jaipur; Om Prakash II as IGP, Bikaner Range, Bikaner; Rajesh Singh as IGP, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Rajasthan, Jaipur; Rajendra Prasad Goyal as IGP, Kota Range, Kota and Kalu Ram Rawat is now Inspector General of Police, Civil Rights and Anti Human Trafficking, Jaipur. Besides, Bipin Kumar Pandey, ADGP, Crime Branch, will also hold charge of ADGP, Recruitment and Promotion Board, Jaipur.

Raj Kumar Singh, who is presently posted in Northern Railway (NR), has been transferred to Railway Board and posted as Executive Director, Gati Shakti (Electrical), Railway Board. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.L

Ms Pratima Tripathi, who is presently posted in Northern Railway (NR), has been transferred to Railway Board and posted as Executive Director, Vigilance (Accounts), Railway Board. She is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

Krishan Mohan Singh, who is presently posted in North Central Railway (NCR), has been transferred to Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and posted as Executive Director (Administration), RDSO. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Madhup Mohan Srivastava, who is presently posted in Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), has been posted as Executive Director (KAVACH/Design & Development), RDSO, Lucknow. He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

Neeraj Kumar Mouriya, who is presently posted as Executive Director (Coaching)-I, Railway Board, has been posted as Executive Director, Vigilance (Traffic), Railway Board. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Pradeep Kumar Ojha, who is presently posted as Principal Executive Director (PED), Traffic Transformation (F), Railway Board, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Principal Executive Director/TT(M), Railway Board. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Manish Pradhan, who is presently posted as Chief Workshop Engineer (CWE), Western Railway, has been appointed on immediate absorption basis as Director (Technical), Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVC), till the date of his superannuation, which is June 30, 2028. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Harsh Khare, who is presently posted as Officer on Special Duty / Electrical Engineering (General) (OSD/EE(G)), Railway Board, has been transferred to Northern Railway (NR) and posted as Additional General Manager (AGM). He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Jeetendra Singh, who is presently posted as Executive Director/Gati Shakti (Electrical) (ED/GS(Electrical)), Railway Board, has been transferred to Northern Railway and posted as Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (PCEE). He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

NS Salil, who is presently posted as Senior Law Officer, South Western Railway (SWR), has been transferred to East Coast Railway (ECoR) and posted as Deputy Chief Law Officer. He is a Senior Law Officer (SLO) officer.

Ashok Kumar, who is presently posted as Senior Law Officer, East Central Railway (ECR), has been transferred to North Western Railway (NWR)  and posted as Deputy Chief Law Officer. He is a Senior Law Officer (SLO) officer.

Amitabh Prabhakar, who is presently posted in East Central Railway (ECR), has been posted as Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) (CHOD), on the Railway itself. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, who is presently posted as Chief Project Director(CPD), SD), Northern Railway (NR), has been posted as Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) / Road Safety Projects (CAO(C)/RSP), on the Railway itself. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

As many as 150 officers have been appointed to the grade of Commissioner of Income Tax (CIT) for the Panel Year 2026 on in situ basis. Click the following link for the complete link: https://whispersinthecorridors.com/pdf/commissioner.pdf

As many as seven officers of Indian Economic Service (IES) have been shifted after promotion to the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG). Accordingly, Ms Manisha Sensarma has been appointed as Senior Economic Adviser, Skill Development, while Ms Pretti Nath was made Senior Economic Adviser, Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ms Anu P Mathai and Anupma Mishra gets proforma promotion. Similarly, Amit Ray has been appointed as Senior Economic Adviser, Civil Aviation; Agrim Kaushal as Senior Economic Adviser and Saikat Sarkar was posted as Senior Economic Adviser, Drinking Water and Sanitation.

The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) marked a significant institutional milestone at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, by contributing to four high-impact national and international sessions focused on advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Demonstrating its growing leadership in AI-driven innovation, IIT Ropar played a central role in shaping global conversations across agriculture, energy, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and AI Centres of Excellence.

Under the Ministry of Education AI-CoE Pavilion, Annam.AI, the Agriculture Centre of Excellence at Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, showcased its advanced agricultural technologies. The exhibition received distinguished attention from Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Education, Government of India, who visited the pavilion and engaged with the team to understand the impact of AI-enabled innovations on farmers and rural communities; during the Summit, Annam.AI also showcased its flagship innovation  the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Lenovo’s stall.

Towards hosting the four key flagship dialogues and session, IIT Ropar contributed through collaborating with MoE for CoE Session; Embassy of Israel for Israel Session; UD Impact for Korea Session and with University of Saskatchewan for Canada session.

National Dialogue on AI Centres of Excellence with Ministry of Education

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, represented the institute at a high-level national panel on AI Centres of Excellence (AI-CoE) in Health, Education, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities. He contributed strategic insights on AI-driven institutional transformation and impact-led innovation, sharing his leadership perspective and vision to strengthen the national AI discourse.

The distinguished session also featured national leaders including Srikanth Nadhamuni (Founder CTO, Aadhaar; APEX Committee, AI CoE, Ministry of Education, Government of India), Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar (IIT Ropar), Prof. Nitin Saxena (IIT Kanpur), Dr. Krithika Rangarajan (AIIMS New Delhi), , Prof. S. Neethi (IIT Madras), and Rahul Singh (IISc).

Agri AI Global Summit – India–Israel Joint Session with Embassy of Israel:

IIT Ropar (ANNAM.AI) also contributed to the Agri AI Global Summit, a landmark India–Israel joint session under the Summit’s umbrella. The session, themed “Bridging Nations Through AI: Scaling AI Innovations for Public Good,” focused on advancing responsible AI for agriculture, farmer-centric technologies, and inclusive innovation models.

The Joint Session commenced with an Inaugural Panel and Keynote, featuring distinguished leaders from academia, research, innovation policy, and diplomacy, including H.E. Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India; Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO, IIT Ropar-TIF; Prof. Victor Alchanatis, Research Scientist, Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Dr. Gal Zohar, Head of Research and Policy Department, Israeli Public Employment Service and Prof. Dov Greenbaum, Founder and Director, Zvi Meitar Institute.

A high-impact VC session titled “Bridging Nations Through AI: Scaling AI Innovations for Public Good” brought together distinguished leaders, including  Ms. Maya Sherman (Embassy of Israel in India); Mr. Mayuresh Raut (Seafund), Ms. Urmi Tat (Salesforce), Ms. Nemesisa Ujjain (The Circle: Founders Club) and Dr. Mukesh Kestwal (IIT Ropar-TIF); discussions emphasized ethical, scalable AI solutions aimed at strengthening food systems and empowering farmers globally.

Empowering AI-Driven Entrepreneurship, India Korea dilouge with UD Impact, Korea

The IIT Ropar (iHub - AWaDH), in collaboration with UD IMPACT, South Korea & Invest Punjab (Startup Punjab, Government of Punjab, hosted a high-impact session titled “Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Asia and India through AI.”

The session was graced by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja (IIT Ropar), Sh. Amit Dhaka, IAS (CEO, Invest Punjab), Dr. Jae Kyeong Lee (Korea SMEs & Startups Agency), Mr. Youngseung Woo and Mr. TaeHyung Lee (UD IMPACT), Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh and Dr. Radhika Trikha (IIT Ropar);.  The dialogue focused on strengthening AI-enabled entrepreneurship frameworks across Asia.

A key highlight of the session was the official launch of the report titled “The Vanguard: Seeding India’s AI-Powered Agricultural Revolution.” The report showcases the transformative impact of AI in India’s agriculture and water management sectors and presents outcomes from the IndiaAI & HDFC Bank Parivartan Grant initiative. The initiative supported startups working in critical domains such as soil health monitoring, water resource management, AI-driven farmer advisory systems, and aquaculture innovation.

Indo-Canadian Leadership Dialogue with University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

At the Indo-Canadian Leadership Dialogue, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, addressed global delegates and emphasized the transformative role of AI in strengthening mission-critical sectors. The dialogue underscored the importance of translational research, global academic partnerships, and innovation ecosystems that translate research into scalable real-world deployment.

The Indo-Canadian Symposium on AI for Food, Energy, and Health featured distinguished speakers including Dr. Ajay Dalai (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Debi Prasad (CSIR-IMMT), Dr. Santosh Kumar (CSIR-IMMT), Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham), Mukesh K. Saini (IIT Ropar), Dr. Mukesh Kestwal (IIT Ropar-TIF)

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 stands as a defining moment in positioning IIT Ropar at the forefront of India’s AI-driven transformation journey.

The central deputation tenure of Amit Meena working as Director in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been extended upto March 30, 2028. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Sagar Hanuman Singh, DG, NIPHM, has been assigned an additional charge of Director General, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (NIPHM) till March 29, 2026.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is undertaking a significant initiative to ensure a safe, sensitive, and conducive environment for women at tourist destinations across the state. Under the “Safe Tourist Destinations for Women Project,” a three-day orientation workshop on “Women’s Safety at Tourist Destinations: Role and Strategy of Police” will be organised from 26 to 28 February  at Hotel Palash Residency, Bhopal. The workshop aims to strengthen coordination between the Tourism and Police Departments to enhance the safety, comfort, and confidence of women tourists. The programme will see participation from the Home, Police  Women and Child Development Departments, Tourism Board, Tourism Corporation, and subject experts.
Dr Ilaiyaraja T, MD, MP Tourism Board, stated that efforts are underway to make state’s tourist destinations safer for women. He said that prioritising women’s safety through improved infrastructure, police coordination, community participation, and sensitisation will boost state’s identity as a safe tourism destination. On 26 February, presentations will be made on community-based tourism initiatives and provisions related to women’s safety, followed by group discussions on religious tourism, rural tourism, archaeological sites, forest areas, special events, adventure tourism, the hospitality sector, and cyber fraud. On 27 February, discussions on action plans and policy advocacy will be held, along with a field visit to Khari, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Van Vihar, and nearby tourist sites in Bhopal to assess safety and facilities.  On 28 February, sessions will include case studies from various states and countries, expert lectures, a presentation by UN Women, and discussions on gender sensitisation, community policing, and the role of social media.

Ashok Mishra has been inducted as SP in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on deputation basis for a period of five years. He is a 2016 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

K Ramdass has been inducted as SP in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on deputation basis  for a period of five years. He is a 2019 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

As many as eight IAS officers have been given new assignments in Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, Mrs R Jaya has been appointed as ACS, Special Initiatives Department, while Mrs Kalaiselvi was made Director, Economics and Statistics and Mrs T Sneha is District Collector, Kancheepuram. Similarly, Mrs S Malathy Helan has been appointed as District Collector, Chengalpattu district; K Ravikumar has been appointed as Director Collector, Karur district; Chandra Sekhr Sahkhamuri as CEO, CMDA; A Shanumga Sundaram as Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Election Commission and Mrs N Ponmani was made Deputy Commissioner, Commercial Tax Department, Erode.

Pravin Mandoi working as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre Madhya Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down at Ben Gurion Airport on February 25, 2026, shortly before 1 pm local time, launching a tightly scripted two-day state visit — his second since the historic 2017 trip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara personally received him with a warm hug, red-carpet honours and the Indian National Anthem. The Knesset glowed in tricolour lights as Modi prepared to become the first Indian premier to address Israel’s parliament.

The milestone is clouded by domestic Israeli drama. Opposition parties led by Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) and National Unity have threatened to boycott the speech unless Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invites Supreme Court President Isaac Amit — a protocol breach amid Netanyahu’s ongoing judicial overhaul battle. On February 25 morning, opposition MKs staged protests and walkouts; Lapid publicly urged Netanyahu to intervene to prevent a half-empty chamber. The standoff persists in the afternoon, though some opposition voices signal flexibility if resolved before the address, expected later today or early tomorrow. Indian MEA described it as “internal Israeli political posturing” with “no bearing on bilateral outcomes.” A joint statement is slated for February 26.

Core agenda of PM Modi's visit remains robust - upgrading defence-security pacts, AI-cybersecurity-quantum ties, fast-tracking the free trade agreement, trade already at $6.5 billion in 2024, India Israel’s top Asian arms buyer, agriculture, water management and people-to-people links. Modi’s departure statement highlighted the “robust and multifaceted strategic partnership” and his invitation from “dear friend” Netanyahu. Tomorrow he meets President Isaac Herzog.

Sources confirm negotiations for a Rs 8,000-crore deal to convert six second-hand Boeing 767 jets into mid-air refuellers via an Israeli state-owned firm partnering with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The Indian Air Force, still reliant on ageing IL-78s after two decades of failed tenders, desperately needs these tankers; a 2026 signature would mark a major capability boost and “Make in India” success.

The Knesset optics expose how Israel’s deep polarisation now colours even red-carpet diplomacy — yet Lapid’s own Hindi welcome and cross-party warmth underscore that India-Israel ties transcend domestic fault-lines. For New Delhi, this is classic pragmatic statecraft: prioritising concrete gains in defence tech and innovation while sidestepping ideological minefields. In an era of hybrid threats and US-Iran tensions, the visit quietly cements a reliable, interest-driven axis that neither Gaza fallout nor Israeli courtroom battles can derail. Watch for the tanker deal and possible Iron Dome technology transfer as the real deliverables. No MEA reshuffles accompanied the trip; diplomats quietly managed optics, proving substance still trumps spectacle in 2026 diplomacy.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) quietly unveiled India’s maiden national counter-terrorism policy on February 23, christened ‘PRAHAAR’ (Strike), marking a doctrinal leap from episodic responses to a unified, multi-domain strategy against evolving threats.

Drafted under Home Minister Amit Shah — building on his November 2024 announcement — the eight-page document, now public on the MHA website, codifies zero-tolerance while explicitly rejecting any linkage of terrorism to religion, ethnicity or civilisation. It confronts cross-border “Jihadi” networks, ISIS-Al Qaeda sleeper cells, drone incursions in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, cyber strikes by state and non-state actors, and the menacing convergence of terror with organised crime, dark-web financing and CBRNED risks.

At its core lie seven pillars: prevention through intelligence-led action, swift proportionate response, capacity-building, human-rights-compliant operations, tackling radicalisation via community leaders and NGOs, international cooperation, and societal resilience. The policy strengthens the Multi-Agency Centre and Joint Task Force on Intelligence, empowers the NIA as lead investigator, mandates uniform state-level structures and shields critical infrastructure from power grids to atomic installations.

Security analysts hail the move as institutionalising proactive architecture against hybrid warfare that outpaced earlier frameworks like the 2015 LWE plan. Post-Pahalgam coordination already reflects the shift. While operational guidelines and possible NIA-IB integration are awaited, PRAHAAR offers a federal template for synergy, blending hard power with soft deradicalisation in an era of borderless digital threats.

The R&D Centre of NMDC, Responsible Miner has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), a significant step towards shaping the future of India’s mineral and metals sector. The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Sahi, ED (R&D), NMDC, and the Dean (Sponsored Research & Consultancy), IIT Hyderabad, in the presence of Prof. B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, aimed at advancing indigenous technology in mineral processing and allied areas.

This partnership represents a strong collaboration between field expertise and academic excellence. Together, NMDC and IIT Hyderabad will drive research in iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration, green steelmaking technologies, alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials, and advanced modeling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes. The collaboration will also chart new pathways in the extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources, strengthening India’s mineral security and resource resilience.

Aligned with the rapid digital transformation of the mining sector, the MoU will drive research and pilot initiatives in autonomous vehicle movement, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Mining 4.0 frameworks, and drone-enabled surveying and monitoring. By integrating operational strength with research-driven innovation, the collaboration aims to deliver sustainable, technology-led solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and environmental stewardship across India’s evolving mineral landscape.

On the occasion of the MoU signing, Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NMDC, said, “The MoU with IIT Hyderabad strengthens NMDC’s commitment to innovation through industry–academia collaboration. By leveraging IIT Hyderabad’s research excellence and NMDC’s domain expertise, this partnership will advance indigenous technologies in mining, mineral processing, and emerging areas, contributing to sustainable development and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

This partnership underscores NMDC’s commitment to innovation-driven growth and IIT Hyderabad’s role in translating research into impactful industrial applications. Together, the institutions will contribute to the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Significantly, this collaboration comes at a landmark moment as NMDC’s R&D Centre celebrates 50 years of dedicated contribution to India’s mineral growth story, reinforcing its legacy of research excellence and its enduring pursuit of technological advancement.

Abhishek Anand has been appointed as Additional CIT(OSD) in the office of Pr.CCIT, Bihar & Jharkhand region, Patna after returning from deputation.

The race for the Tata Sons chairmanship has once again exposed simmering tensions within India’s most influential business family. According to high‑level sources, the decision on extending N. Chandrasekaran’s tenure as Chairman has been deferred after Noel Tata reportedly expressed reservations over the proposal. The disagreement underscores a growing divide between the professional leadership led by Chandrasekaran and the family’s internal power bloc represented by Noel Tata, half‑brother of Ratan Tata. Chandrasekaran, widely credited for stabilizing the Tata Group since taking charge in 2017, has strong backing for his continuity from key board members citing consistent performance and strategic clarity. However, Noel Tata is said to be pushing for a more “family‑aligned” direction in future decision‑making. The deferment reflects the group’s caution in handling internal sensitivities amid succession complexities. Insiders say the board plans further consultations before a final decision, mindful of the need to balance legacy concerns with modern corporate governance demands. The episode marks a fresh chapter in the long‑running tussle between business pragmatism and dynastic influence within the Tata empire.

Nandkumar Dhekne has been re-appointed as Managing Director of Elantas Beck India Limited, effective July 27, 2026.

Rajnish Pandey has been re-appointed as Whole-time Director of Continental Controls Limited.

Abhay Sethia has been appointed as an Independent Director of Continental Controls Limited.

Ms Chetna Gupta has been appointed as an Independent Director of Continental Controls Limited.

Ms Khusbu Agrawal has been appointed as an Independent Director of Continental Controls Limited.

Mrs Radhika Ben Patel has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Millennium Online Solutions (India) Limited.

Mukesh Kumar Seni has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Millennium Online Solutions (India) Limited.

Ms Purnima Kerketta has resigned from the position of Independent Director of RITES Limited.

Shreegopal Daga has resigned from the position of Managing Director of Swati Projects Limited.

Anders Wilhjelm has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Disa India Limited.

Arvind Kumar Koul has ceased to be Independent Director of Sharika Enterprises Limited on completion of  tenure.

Tejasvi Surya

The guy is good but he needs more experience in handling local issues first. speaking in Parliament is not enough, work also matters.. BJP should let him work first. Just elevating him would not help build a party at ground level. people should work at ground level first then start heading chairs at National levels.

Vinay Maanya

Time is supreme

Once Anil Ambani was supposed to be future king of communication and finance. Time is supreme. Only one bad decision and kingdom collapse. 

Varun Arora

Appellant has not approached CIC with clean hands

Information about allotment of lease and release from seizure of land comprising a particular GLR Survey No. was sought. The Directorate General Defence Estates replied that the Appellant mentioned incorrect date of application for allotment of lease in his RTI Application because of which the relevant information could not be provided to him and therefore, the Appellant was advised to file a fresh RTI Application in their office with correct date of application. The respondent added that First Appeal has been adjudicated on 31.05.2024 and the same has been taken on record. The Commission noted that the Appellant has willfully suppressed the replies provided by the CPIO and FAA while filing the instant Second Appeal. The CIC commented that the appellant has not approached the CIC with clean hands and his conduct is not appreciated.

Comments

The probability of obtaining the information sought increases if the conduct of the RTI applicant is transparent.

Citation: Chandra Kant Sonkar v. Directorate General Defence Estates, File No: CIC/DIGDE/A/2024/118526; Date of Decision: 12.12.2025

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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