Suspense is over in Odisha. Anu Garg has been appointed as the first woman  Chief Secretary of Odisha. She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre.

(We said this on November 19, 2025)

Sources said that this time Commonwealth Speakers Conference is likely to held in new Parliament building. The Conference is scheduled from January 15-17.

After successful completion of trade deals with the UK and New Zealand, FTA with EU could be completed in January. It is said that the talk is in the final stages.

The Centre’s December 22, 2025, push for Civil Services Board reports signals a trend toward centralised transfer scrutiny, potentially delaying state reshuffles in 2026. Breaking: MHA’s December 20, 2025, IPS promotions (20 DIGs elevated) may indirectly impact southern deputation returns.

India Optel–Safran collaboration is a textbook Make in India defence success because it brings high-end navigation and fire-control tech into Indian production lines, cuts import dependence and builds long-term capabilities for the Army. This agreement moves the SIGMA 30N inertial navigation system and CM3-MR direct firing sight from import to licensed local manufacture, with IOL handling manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full lifecycle support in India. It deepens technology transfer in complex opto‑electronic and inertial systems, aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening a Mini Navratna DPSU’s role in critical subsystems for artillery, air defence and anti‑drone platforms, and creates an industrial base that can later feed exports and future indigenous gun, missile and radar programmes.

The state recommended Non-State Civil Service officers for selection to IAS (Odisha cadre) against the 2020 Select List for 2021 cycle; exact numbers and names not detailed in public notice.

The post of Siva Shankar Bandi has been upgraded as Director in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He is a 2012 batch IDAS officer.

The post of Ajay Bartwal has been upgraded as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat. He is a 2012 batch IRAS.

The post of Shekhar Srivastava has been upgraded as Director in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. He is a 2012 batch ISS officer.

The post of Parthasarathy Bhaskar Devarakonda has been upgraded as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat. He is a 2012 batch IRS-C&IT officer.

The post of Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh has been upgraded as Director in the Department of Promotion of Indutry & Internal Trade (DPIIT). He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.

The post of Tamanna Sinha has been upgraded as Director in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). She is a 2012 batch IES officer.

Biswaranjan Sasmal, Additional Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has been repatriated to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 1993 batch IRS-IT officer.

Surabhi Rai has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary or Joint Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India. She is a 2005 batch IFoS officer of UT cadre.

The post of Ajay Bartwal has been upgraded as Director in the Cabinet Secretariat. He is a 2012 batch IRAS officer.

Four members of State Police Service in Madhya Pradesh have been promoted to the Indian Police Service against the Select List of 2024 and allocated MP cadre. The promoted officers are: Vikrant Murab, Surendra Kumar Jain, Ashish Khare and Rajesh Raghuwanshi.

The Ministry of Railways has introduced a marginal fare revision to generate an additional ₹600 crore in annual revenue for operational costs, safety enhancements, and expansion. No hike for suburban services, monthly season tickets, or ordinary class journeys up to 215 km. Beyond 215 km: +1 paise/km for ordinary class; +2 paise/km for non-AC Mail/Express and all AC classes. For example, a 500 km non-AC journey will cost an extra ₹10. This is the second revision in 2025, aimed at balancing affordability with sustainability.

Notified across eight zones to handle festive travel. Includes 116 extra coaches on 37 trains in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) from December 6-13, extended into late December. This initiative addresses peak demand, with operations continuing through January 2026.

Indian defence forces announced plans to expand space-based assets and manpower for future warfare, focusing on enhanced satellite surveillance and ground infrastructure. This aligns with broader modernisation under the ‘Year of Reforms’ (declared earlier in 2025).

Just prior to the three-day window but with effects carrying into December 20+), Order No. 65 of 2025 was issued for local transfers and postings of ITOs within the Hyderabad region. This involves 12 officers reassigned to new assessment units, focusing on GST integration cases. implementation monitoring began on December 20.

Ramesh Kumar Goyal, DG( Telecom) has been promoted in the Apex Scale. He is an ITS officer.

The DoT has transferred two SAG level P&T Building Works Service(P&TBWS). Ulhas Kumar Nandapurkar has been posted as DDG( Electrical) at DGT HQ, Delhi and Amar Relan will join as DDG( Electric) at DoT HQs.

 Shift to digital (e.g., APOLIS, cloud governance) and green energy (AP, Telangana) dominates, with electoral revisions (Kerala, TN) as a new southern trend for poll integrity. Speculations predict 2026 as a “reshuffle year” due to elections, with whispers of anti-corruption drives in Karnataka/Telangana.

The government committed to eliminating North Karnataka imbalances via education and health focus, with major irrigation projects (Mahadayi, Krishna Upper, Bhadra Upper Rivers) underway, though pending central clearances and funds.

 Sagar Defence Engineering plans to establish the world’s first fully autonomous shipyard in Andhra Pradesh, supporting naval vessel construction.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) anticipates over 180 Tejas Mk1A orders due to impending MiG-21 and Jaguar retirements, supporting IAF fleet expansion.

 The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls succeeded, dropping 97.37 lakh names (66.44 lakh shifted/absent, 26.94 lakh dead, 3.39 lakh duplicates); current rolls at 5.43 crore voters.

New Initiatives of an IAS officer

An IAS officer-led initiative in Sundargarh district has recycled over 360 tonnes of plastic waste, generating jobs and dignity for more than 470 rural women through community-led sanitation programs. This model is trending as a scalable rural waste management blueprint, with predictions of replication in other eastern states under NABARD funding.

New Trends

Shift to sustainable urban projects (e.g., STP pilots in Karnataka) and blockchain for file verification (AP), with predictions of 20% increase in women-led rural initiatives (Odisha model). Trending developments include NABARD-backed Earth Summit extensions for southern MSMEs, focusing on green jobs.

Whispers in policy circles (e.g., NITI Aayog visits) predict 2026 faculty upgradations in IITs/IIMs via ANRF’s PAIR scheme, with 124 institutes (including IIT Madras, Delhi) eyed for interdisciplinary hires. No immediate reshuffles, but talent scarcity in quantum research (fewer than 2,000 specialists vs. EU’s 15,000) could trigger ICAR/ICMR promotions . CAG reports on DBT gaps fuel speculation of audits in research funding bodies like DBT/CSIR, potentially leading to compliance-driven postings.

Extended space science program to Omani students, connecting thousands of Indian youth to missions. Part of PM Modi’s Oman visit; includes Gaganyaan demos.

NHAI sponsored Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).The initiative marks an important step in broadening public participation in the National Highway infrastructure growth story.

Hirdesh Patel has been appointed as Deputy Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. He is a 2021 batch ICAS officer.

Five IAS officers have been given new postings in Rajasthan. Mrs Manju Rajpal has been appointed as PS, Agriculture & Horticulture and Panchayati Raj (Agriculture), while Siddhartha Mahajan is now Commissioner, Jaipur Development Authority, Jaipur and Mrs Anandi was made Secretary and Registrar, Cooperatives Department. Similarly, Babulal Goyal will be posted as Secretary, State Human Rights Commission and Rakesh Sharma will take charge as Commissioner and Joint Secretary, Information and Public Relations.

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a leading Indian aerospace and defence company, and Astra Microwave Products Ltd.(AMPL), a global provider of Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced electronic modules, subsystems, and systems for defence electronics and aerospace, specifically targeting critical technology domains such as Electronic Warfare (EW), radar systems, and satellites. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen efforts towards fostering indigenous design and production capabilities in advanced technology domains critical to national defence. The MoU was exchanged between Suresh Kumar KV, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Dr MV Reddy, Joint Managing Director, AMPL in the presence of Manoj Jain, CMD, BEL, B M Chandrakanth, Vice President, AMPL, and Ms Niti Pandit, GM (Strategic Planning), BEL.

Marking a transformative milestone in urban infrastructure development, NBCC (India) Limited, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has signed an MoU with the Board of Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) on 23.12.2025 for development of CGO Complex at Mumbai Port’s land (approx.. 25 acres) near Cotton Green Depot, Mumbai. NBCC will look after the execution of the work from Concept to commissioning. The MoU was signed by the Shri Adesh Titarmare, IAS Dy. Chairperson, Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) and the Shri K.P.Mahadevaswamy, Chairman and Managing Director of NBCC (India) Limited in the presence of sr. officials from both the organisations. Further, in addition to CGO Complex, Mumbai Port Authority has accorded in-principle approval to NBCC for taking up various other projects like:        Construction of International Convention Centre; Construction of Iconic Building;       Construction of Multilevel Car parking and Maintenance of Building, Sheds, Wharfs, Storage area, Roads, etc. The MoU marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at planned redevelopment, asset monetisation and creation of world-class infrastructure, aligned with the Government of India’s vision for sustainable urban transformation. Under this partnership, NBCC will leverage its proven expertise in project management, redevelopment and infrastructure execution, while MbPA will facilitate the optimal utilisation of port land assets. This MoU reinforces NBCC’s growing role as a nation builder and trusted development partner, and underscores Mumbai Port Authority’s resolve to unlock the true potential of its land assets in line with modern urban planning principles. The partnership is poised to set new benchmarks in urban redevelopment and infrastructure-led growth, strengthening India’s journey towards and inclusive cities.

Seven IAS officers of 1995 batch in Tamil Nadu belonging to Tamil Nadu  cadre have been promoted to the Chief Secretary Grade of IAS w e f January 1, 2026. The promoted officers are: M A Siddique, Mrs R Jaya, Dr P Senthilkumar, Mrs Sandhya Venugopal Sharma, T Udhayachandran, Hitesh Kumar S Makwana and B Chandra Mohan.

Girishkumar C Solanki, formerly serving as Chief Electrical Engineer (Operations), South East Central Railway (SECR), has been selected for deputation to Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited as General Manager (Rolling Stock) for a period up to his superannuation, which is September 30, 2028. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Piyush Mittal, who is presently serving as Deputy Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer (Projects), Jabalpur, West Central Railway (WCR), has been selected for deputation to National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) as Deputy Chief Project Manager (Signal & Telecommunication) at Surat for a period of five years. He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

EVGurunadha Rao, formerly serving as Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEN), East Coast Railway (ECoR), has been granted post-facto extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) beyond the fifth year, up to April 4, 2024.

P Karunakara Rao, formerly serving as Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEN), East Coast Railway (ECoR), has been granted post-facto extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) beyond the fifth year, up to March 31, 2023.

Tej Bahadur Rai, formerly serving as Assistant Divisional Electrical Engineer (ADEN), Traction Distribution (TRD),  Northern Railway (NR), has been granted post-facto extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) beyond the fifth year, up to May 31, 2024.

Piyush Singh, formerly serving as Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer (Dy.CEE), Traction Distribution (TRD), Headquaters, North Eastern Railway (NER), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) as General Manager (Electrical) beyond fifth year up to December 8, 2023. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Rajesh Kumar Mishra has been promoted in the grade of Principal Commissioner of Customs & Indirect Taxes (PCCIT) (HAG) on a pro forma basis w e f February 1, 2025.

Eight IAS officers have been reshuffled in Assam. Sumit Sattawan has been posted as District Commissioner, Tinsukia, while Aayush Garg takes charge as District Commissioner, Cachar and Mridul Yadav will join as District Commissioner, Sivasagar. Similarly, Dibakar Nath is appointed as District Commissioner, Bongaigaon; Swapneel Paul as District Commissioner, Kamrup; Mrs Masanda Magdalin Pertin as Joint Secretary, Finance Department; Mrs Simi Karan as District Commissioner, Tamulpur and Aranyak Saikia will take over as District Commissioner, Karbi Anglong.

Six IAS officers of 2002 batch in Tamil Nadu belonging to Tamil Nadu cadre have been promoted to the Principal Secretary Grade of IAS w e f January 1, 2026. The promoted officers are: Mrs Archana Patnaik, Mrs Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, Dr M S Shanmugan, Mrs Reeta Harish Thakkar, C Samayamoorthy and Mrs Jayashree Muralidharan.

Six IAS officers of 2002 batch in Tamil Nadu belonging to Tamil Nadu  cadre have been promoted to the Principal Secretary Grade of IAS w e f January 1, 2026. The promoted officers are: Mrs Archana Patnaik, Mrs Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, Dr M S Shanmugan, Mrs Reeta Harish Thakkar, C Samayamoorthy and Mrs Jayashree Muralidharan.

Suhas Khullar has been re-appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director of MPS Limited.

Jayabalan Jayakumar has been appointed as Additional Director (Executive) of Mediaone Global Entertainment Limited.

AKM Kashyap has been appointed as Additional Director (Government Nominee Director) of State Trading Corporation of India Limited (STC).

Will India too witness Bangladesh like situation ?

There's growing concern in India about the possibility of witnessing a Bangladesh-like situation, especially after the recent unrest and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Protests have erupted in various Indian cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata, and Jammu, condemning the violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The Indian government has summoned Bangladesh's envoy, expressing concerns over the safety of Hindus and other minorities. The situation is being closely monitored, with some politicians calling for stronger measures to protect Hindus in Bangladesh and prevent similar incidents in India.

Srikant Shree

Do the details of my passing out match with the official records?

The appellant gave his enrollment number and submitted that he had completed his Diploma in Civil Engineering from a particular University in 2014. He wanted to verify whether these details match with the official data records. The PIO informed that the UGC does not verify the Validation of documents and requested the appellant to approach the concerned University. The CIC observed that the Appellant did not seek for any information as envisaged under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, rather he sought for clarification or confirmation of a speculative statement. While the PIO attempted to facilitate the Appellant by giving a clarification as though replying to a grievance petition, but the PIO ought to have specified that the Appellant has not asked for any information per se.

Comments

In purely legal terms, the role of the PIO is restricted to providing what is covered under the definition of the term “information” as defined under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act. It would be prudent for the PIO to examine whether the request of the applicant is within the parameters of section 2(f) of the RTI Act and take action accordingly.

Citation: Praveen Kumar v. University Grants Commission, Second Appeal No. CIC/UGCOM/A/2024/658054; Date of Decision: 13.10.2025

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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