In October 2025, the Indian Navy will witness the superannuation of two key Naval Commanders—Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Eastern Naval Command, and Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command. Their retirement marks a significant leadership transition in India’s naval hierarchy, with both officers concluding distinguished careers after over three decades of service.

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar took charge of the Eastern Naval Command on August 1, 2023. An expert in Anti-Submarine Warfare, Pendharkar’s career has been decorated with top honors including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. Meanwhile, Vice Admiral V. Srinivas assumed command of the Southern Naval Command on December 31, 2023, notable for commanding both a frontline warship and a nuclear submarine—a unique distinction in the Navy—and is similarly decorated with prestigious medals.

Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena stands out as the leading candidate. Currently serving as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, Saxena has substantial operational experience and a robust career portfolio that positions him well for promotion. He is a Navigation and Direction specialist and has previously held major command positions including the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.Another high-profile contender for the Eastern Naval Command is Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, the current Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. His tenure as Chief of Staff, ENC, and Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet adds to his strong credentials, though a shift from Vice Chief to a command role would be a notable move.

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is a prominent prospect. Currently the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, his extensive command experience, including leading the Western Fleet and serving as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, underlines his capability to take on the southern command. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Western Naval Command since mid-2025, also remains a potential candidate, given his seniority and varied expertise.

With India's technical mission in Kabul now upgraded to full embassy status, speculation is intensifying over who will be appointed as the Chargé d'Affaires to lead this critical diplomatic outpost. While the Ministry of External Affairs has remained tight-lipped about the appointment, looking at the distinguished officers who have helmed India's Afghanistan mission in recent years provides valuable clues about the qualities and experience New Delhi may seek. 

Amar Sinha, a 1982-batch IFS officer, served as India's ambassador from 2013 to 2016 during a particularly turbulent period. A fluent Dari speaker with an economics background from Patna University, Sinha oversaw India's largest regional reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, managing over $2 billion in development projects. His deep understanding of Afghan politics and his subsequent role on India's National Security Advisory Board position him as someone whose expertise may inform the selection process, even if he has retired from active service. 

Vinay Kumar, a 1992-batch IFS officer and IIT-Kharagpur graduate, took over as ambassador in 2018 and served until 2020, navigating the complex negotiations around US troop withdrawal and Taliban resurgence. Kumar's Afghanistan stint was lauded for his adroit handling of India's interests during the American drawdown, and he has since been appointed India's Ambassador to Russia—a testament to his diplomatic acumen. 

The last Indian ambassador to Kabul before the 2021 Taliban takeover was Rudrendra Tandon, a 1994-batch officer considered an Afghanistan specialist. With postings in Kabul and Jalalabad as Consul General, plus experience heading the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran desk at MEA headquarters, Tandon evacuated alongside embassy staff in August 2021 as the Taliban seized control. He currently serves as India's Ambassador to Greece, but his Afghanistan expertise makes officers of similar profile strong contenders for the reopened Kabul mission. 

Given this distinguished lineage, sources suggest the MEA may appoint a seasoned diplomat with prior Afghanistan experience, fluency in regional languages like Dari or Pashto, and proven crisis management capabilities to navigate India's delicate engagement with the Taliban regime without extending formal recognition

Cadre of Vidhu Shekhar has been transferred from West Bengal to AGMUT cadre on grounds of marriage to IPS officer Ms Anna Sinha.  He is a 2021 batch IAS officer.

Ranjan Prakash Thakur, CVO, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Delhi, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre in order to avail the benefit of promotion. He is a 1990 batch IRTS officer.

Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has received order valued at Rs. 633 Crore (excluding taxes) from Cochin Shipyard Limited. The order is for supply of items required for various sensors, weapon equipment, fire control system and communication equipment supplied by BEL.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has candidly highlighted the inefficiencies plaguing India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Japan and South Korea. Despite formal trade deals, these countries rarely open their markets to Indian products, limiting the benefits India could derive from such agreements. Goyal pointedly noted that Japan and Korea do not rely on strict government regulations to protect their domestic markets; rather, their industries and consumers naturally prioritize supporting local manufacturers. This cohesive and nationalistic approach starkly contrasts with the Indian scenario, where businesses often prefer imports even when comparable goods are available domestically. 
The Minister’s comments expose a critical gap in India’s trade strategy: the failure to translate FTAs into tangible market access and mutual economic benefit. Indian businesses’ tendency to import cheaper foreign goods, despite the availability of local alternatives, undermines the country’s manufacturing sector. This raises fresh debates on whether India should more stringently enforce FTA compliance norms to ensure reciprocal market opening by its trade partners. 
Additionally, there is increasing pressure within India to cultivate a stronger culture of consuming Indian-made products, even at a slightly higher cost. Advocates argue that greater emphasis on domestic procurement will not only reduce import dependence but also bolster India’s manufacturing capabilities, aligning with the government’s broader goal of economic self-reliance. Goyal’s call for businesses to adopt this mindset reflects a growing consensus on the need for stronger policy enforcement and cultural shift toward supporting local industry.

Ajit Kumar Panda, Director (Project & Services), CONCOR, appears to be a board level contender for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).

Shift toward “green deputations” for IFoS in Odisha/Karnataka, with 10-15 officers eyed for national climate projects under COP30 prep.

The UPSC IFoS Mains Exam (November 16-23, 2025) will lead to fresh recruitments by March 2026, potentially filling 150 vacancies (including 9 for PwBD). This could trigger internal promotions for 20-30 serving officers by Q1 2026. Chhattisgarh’s October 7 postings (e.g., Prem Kumar as MD, State Forest Development Corporation) may see extensions or tweaks post-Diwali.

Recruitment for 348 Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Executive posts opened on October 9, with applications closing October 29, 2025. This “new joining” wave targets graduates for rural fintech roles, boosting MNC-like digital banking outreach. Updated alerts confirmed 50,000+ applications already.

 Enhanced IPS-led patrols continued for post-Diwali security, but no reshuffles in Delhi Police.

Mahesh Kumar Sahu, SDE has joined the PG Wing of DoT HQ after the repatriation from MTNL.

Mashhood-Ur- Farooqui has been posted as Director in the National Health Authority- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission under the Ministry Health & Family Welfare, for a period co-terminus with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which is further expandable upto admissible tenure under Central Staffing Scheme. He is a 2009 batch IRS(C&IT) officer.

Vinayak Chandra Gupta, a 1993 batch IRS(C&IT) officer has been promoted to the grade of Chief Commissioner of Customs & Indirect Taxes against the panel year 2025 on ad-hoc basis. 

Shamsundar M Keshkamat has been promoted to the grade of Principal Commissioner of Income Tax. He is an IRS-IT officer. 

National Testing Agency (NTA) has invited online applications for  National Entrance Test for Residential Education for Students in  Higher Classes in Targeted Areas [SHRESHTA (NETS)]-2026. Online  applications can be filed till October 30, 2025. 

 

Applications from retired Central government  employees have been  invited for two Consultant posts in Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemical & Fertilizers. Applications must reach latest by  October 31, 2025.

Tenure of IDAS officer Rajesh Chandra, Joint Controller General of  Defence Accounts (CGDA) has been extended as part-time Chief Vigilance  Officer of Defence Accounts Department for a period of two years. He  will serve the post till December 11, 2027.

Applications for the post of Deputy Commissioner of Metro Railway  Safety (DCMRS),  Commission of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), Ministry  of Civil Aviation have been advertised. Details can be availed from  www.indianrailways.gov.in. 

 

Post of four Consultants - Zoo Design, Biologist, IT and Media  Consultant, and  Animal Health and Welfare have been advertised for  National Zoological Park, New Delhi. Details can be availed from  www.moef.gov.in and CVs emailed at nzpzoo-cza@nic.in.

World Bank is seeking senior Environmental and Social Development  Specialist for Washington DC, United States. Applications must reach  latest by November 7, 2025.

Ms. Shuchita Arora, who is presently posted in Western Railway (WR), has been transferred to Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) and posted in the cadre. She is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Vijay Kumar Srivastava, who is presently working as Executive Director/V(S) in Railway Board, has been transferred to Modern Coach Factory (MCF) and posted as Principal Chief Materials Manager (PCMM) (CHOD). He is an Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) officer.

Atul Saxena, who is presently working as Executive Director/Stores in Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), has been transferred to North Western Railway (NWR) and posted as Principal Chief Materials Manager (PCMM) (CHOD). He is an Indian Railway Stores Services (IRSS) officer.

Seven IPS officers have been reshuffled in MP. Rajababu Singh, ADGP, Training, PHQ, has been relieved of the additional charge of other posts he is currently holding , while Dev Prakash Gupta is posted as ADGP, Grievances and Human Rights and he will continue to hold the charge of other posts he is currently holding. Similarly, K P Venkateshwar Rao joins as ADGP, Technical Services and will hold additional charge of ADGP, Narcotics, PHQ; Irshad Wali, IGP, SAF, Bhopal Range, was assigned additional charge of IGP, SAF, PHQ; Sushant Saxena is appointed as IG, Investigation, PHQ; Ms Chaitra N as IGP, SCRB, PHQ and Kumar Saurabh will take over as IGP, SISF and IGP, AJAK, PHQ.     

More than three dozen IPS officers have been given new assignments in Rajasthan. Accordingly, Sanjay Kumar Agrawal has been appointed as DG, Law & Order, while Govind Gupta was made DG, ACB and Anil Paliwal is DG, Training & Traffic. Similarly, Anand Kumar Shrivastava has been posted as DG, Special Operations; Ashok Kumar Rathod as DG, Jail; Mrs Malini Agrawal as DG & Commandant General, Home Defence; Dr Prashakha Mathur as ADG, Planning, Modernization and Welfare; Biju George Joseph as ADG, Personnel; Sushmita Biswas as ADG, Railways; Dinesh M N as ADG, ATS; Sachin Mittal as Police Commissioner, Jaipur; Sanjib Kumar Narjari as ADG-cum-Director, Police Academy; Vishal Bansal as ADG, SOG; Vijay Kumar Singh as ADG, Law & Order; Dr Hawa Singh Ghumaria as ADG, Crime Branch; S Sengathir as ADG, Vigilance; P Ramji as ADG, Jail; Rupinder Singh as ADG, Armed Btn and SDRF; Bhupendra Sahu as ADG, Police Housing; Dr B L Meena as ADG, Traffic; Mrs Lata Manoj Kumar as ADG, Civil Rights, Anti-Human Trafficking and Community Policing; Prafull Kumar as IG, Intelligence; H G Raghvendra Suhasa as IG, Jaipur range; Rahul Prakash as Special Commissioner (Operations), Commissionerate, Jaipur; Dr Ravi as IG, Planning, Modernization and Welfare; Satyendra Kumar as IG, ACB; Dr Rameshwar Singh as DIG, ACB; Dr Rajiv Pachar as Additional Police Commissioner, Law & Order, Police Commissionerate, Jaipur; Prahlad Singh Krishnia as DIG, Crime Branch; Arshad Ali as DIG, Law & Order, Jaipur; Amit Jain as Principal, Rajasthan Police Training Centre; Vishal Jangidh as Assistant IG, Shriganganagar range; Mrs Anushtha Kalia as Assistant IG, Bikaner. Besides,  Sanjay Kumar Agrawal has been assigned an additional charge of DG, Police Housing; Biju George Joseph gets charge of ADG, Re-organization and Rules; Vijay Kumar Singh as ADG, Cyber Crime and Technical Services; Ajay Pal Lamba was given additional charges of IG, Railways and Cyber Crime and Ajay Siingh is also DIG, Intelligence, Jaipur.

Six IAS officers have been given new assignments in Punjab. Vishesh Sarangal has been appointed as Special Secretary and Director, Department of Good Governance and Information and Technology and CEO, Punjab State e-Governance Society, while Mrs Sakshi Sahni will be posted as Chief Administrator, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), SAS Nagar and Aditya Uppal takes over as Deputy Commissioner (DC), Gurdaspur. Similarly, Palvi joins as DC, Pathankot and will also hold the charge of Commissioner, Pathankot Municipal Corporation; Dalwinderjit Singh was made DC of Amritsar and Harpreet Singh was appointed as Additional Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, and HoD, Water Supply and Sanitation and in addition Additional Secretary, Power and Additional Secretary, New & Energy Sources.

India's infrastructure output decelerated to a three-month low of 3% year-on-year in September 2025, down sharply from a revised 6.5% in August, dragged by steep contractions in coal, natural gas, and refinery products. The slowdown—the most pronounced since June—has reignited concerns over industrial momentum at a time when the government is betting big on infrastructure-led growth to achieve its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. 

The eight core industries, which account for 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), registered their weakest performance in three months. Energy sectors bore the brunt: coal production fell 1.2% after surging 11.4% in August, while crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products contracted by 1.3%, 3.8%, and 3.7% respectively. Natural gas output declined for the fifteenth consecutive month. Steel and cement—key construction bellwethers—provided the lone bright spots, growing 14.1% and 5.3% respectively, underpinned by government capital expenditure. 

With core sector growth averaging just 2.9% during April-September 2025—well below the 4.3% recorded in the same period last year—sources indicate the government is mulling targeted stimulus measures to arrest the slide. While no formal announcement has been made in October, policy circles are discussing a comprehensive infrastructure push that would build on Budget 2025-26's Rs 11.21 lakh crore capital expenditure allocation. 

Proposals under consideration include expediting the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund to accelerate city infrastructure, fast-tracking critical projects under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, and providing fiscal incentives to revive energy sector output. The government is also exploring a Rs 20,000 crore risk guarantee fund to catalyze private investment in infrastructure. Additionally, the Coal Gasification Mission's Rs 8,500 crore incentive scheme and the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 targeting Rs 10 lakh crore in asset monetisation by 2030 are expected to play pivotal roles. 

With industrial capacity utilization showing signs of plateauing and global uncertainties mounting, analysts suggest a coordinated fiscal and monetary response will be crucial to sustain India's growth trajectory and ensure the infrastructure sector regains its momentum in the fiscal year's second half.

The company elevated COO Gaurav Nayyar to CEO, effective immediately. Outgoing CEO Sameer Mehta transitioned to Executive Director, while cofounder Aman Gupta remains Non-Executive Director. This internal promotion supports boAt’s IPO preparations (SEBI approval August 1, 2025), aiming for a Q1 2026 listing at ~₹2,000 Cr valuation. The move whispers a shift toward aggressive e-commerce expansion amid quick-commerce competition.

Mrs. Asha Mitta has resigned from the position of Managing Director of Skyline Ventures India Limited.

 

Vincent Secondo Grelli has resigned as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Oracle Financial Services Software Limited, effective October 31, 2025.

Subramaniam Muthiah Balaji has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Raj Television Network Limited.

"Bureaucratisation of PSUs is a retrograde step”

The centre is reportedly mulling a proposal of "fast-track deputation" of bureaucrats to man the public sector utilities. The proposed move amounts to “fixing square pegs in round holes”.Unarguably,we need more professionals than administrators, to run the public sector. According to management experts,over-bureaucratisation of public sector is   antithetical to the concept of corporate culture. The competent authority needs to keep the advice in mind before proceeding further in the matter. 

A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

Time limit for replying to the RTI application not followed

Vide RTI application dated 29.04.2024, the appellant sought information about the Provident Fund Statement, PF trust being declared unexempted, his PF amount transferred to EPFO department etc. but did not receive any response. During hearing, upon the CIC’s query on not replying to the appellant within stipulated time limit, the respondent submitted that the earlier CPIO retired, and he has recently joined the respondent’s office and was not aware of the online RTI application. To this, the CIC questioned how an online RTI application can go unnoticed. In terms of the information to be furnished, the CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant vide written submission dated 07.10.2025. Therefore, no further intervention of the Commission is required. Further, the CIC took a serious view of the fact that the respondent did not reply to the appellant within stipulated time limit as per the RTI Act and issued a show cause notice to the CPIO as to why action should not be initiated against him/her for not replying to the appellant’s RTI request within prescribed time limit.

Comments

One of the basic tenets of the RTI Act is that an applicant should receive a reply within the prescribed time limit. With the digital tracking of the RTI Application, it is incumbent upon the PIO to reply as per the prescribed time period or face consequences.

Citation: Biju Soman v. Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, Second Appeal No. CIC/HINAL/A/2024/134731; Date of Decision:15.10.2025

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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