Posting of 1995 batch IAS officers to the rank of Secretary in the Government of India is expected to start from April. There will be two vacancies in two months Secretary Department of Rural Development and Department of MSME.

Five IPS officers have been nominated to two posts of Team Leader, P5, United Nations Police Department (UNPD) Standing Police Capacity (SPC) Recruitment Campaign 2025 (UNGSC). These officers include, Nitasha Guria IPS (Bihar- 2008), DIG, BPR&D, New Delhi; Manish Singh, DIG, CISF; S Hari Prasath,IPS (Bihar- 2010), DIG, NSG; and Dr V Sasi Mohan, IPS (Tamil Nadu- 2011). 

This year no Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is going to retire.In 2027 there will be retirement.

Despite having received the appointment approval from the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC), no appointment orders/postings for 16 Members including ten Accountant Members and Six Judicial Members to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) have been issued so far for four months.

As many as 1029 posts of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) have been lying vacant in various cadres in the country.

 Details emerged about new UPSC rules effective 2026 states that there will be no reattempts given for IAS/IFS, and only one improvement attempt will be there for IPS/Group A services. This is predicted to boost fresh talent influx into southern cadres (e.g., more young officers in Karnataka’s tech-driven districts). Speculations are rife that this could lead to “reshuffle waves” in Telangana by mid-2026 to accommodate newcomers.

 The tenure of Sanjiv Kumar Singh as Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Limited is coming to an end on June 30, 2026. The Government of India has started searching for a successor to him.

No empanelment of 1995 batch IAS officer for holding either Secretary or Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Manipur cadre.

No empanelment of 2001 batch IAS officer for holding either Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Nagaland cadre.

The tenure of Tarun Sharma as Deputy Managing Director, EXIM Bank, is coming to an end on April 17, 2026.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Director (Operations), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)on March 10, 2026.

Surajit Mishra, Director in-charge (Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants), is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) falling vacant on April 3, 2026.

The CBIC has granted NSFG to Sameer D Wankhede w e f January 1, 2021 on regular basis. He is a 2008 batch IRS(C&IT) officer. He is posted as Addl Commissioner.

While primarily Navy-focused, the Defence Ministry signed a ₹5,083 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III and Shtil surface-to-air vertical launch short-range missiles. This boosts joint naval air defence capabilities, with IAF involvement in helicopter upgrades. Delivery phased over 2026-2028.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced plans to develop 7,000 km of new high-speed rail corridors by 2039-40 as part of the next phase of India’s rail transformation. This builds on existing projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and aligns with economic corridors for faster inter-city connectivity. The long-term vision targets a nationwide network of 21,000 km, emphasising bullet train technology to enhance speed, economic integration, and passenger experience. This initiative supports broader trends in rail electrification and capacity expansion, with investments directed toward new lines, multi-tracking, and rolling stock augmentation.

Echoing national pushes, it has been noted that J&K’s DDO training model (6,478 officers on IFMS/SNA-SPARSH), speculated for replication in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by Q2 2026 to upgrade IAS financial skills. This shows a decline in Punjab’s IAS/IPS contributions, shifting reliance to southern talent pools.

Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SIFO) has advertised the post of Sr Asstt Director (Banking) for Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by April 30, 2026.

Keshav Kumar and Bharat Prasad Singh have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. All are from General Insurance Corp of India (GIC)

Vineet Kumar Saxena and Sunil Kumar Gupta have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Kishore Kumar Sansi has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He retired as MD & CEO, Vijaya Bank.

Kuldip Kumar Peshin has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1980 batch CE&MES officer and retired as ADG, CPWD.

Department of Health and Family Welfare has advertised the post of Chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of lndia (FSSAI). Details can be availed from https://mohfw.gov.in/.

Ministry of Home Affairs has advertised the post of Director (Delhi, Bengaluru) in National Intelligence Grid. Details can be availed from the Ministry’s website.

National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the post of Senior Consultant-Care, National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, MoHFW. Applications must reach latest by March 24, 2026.

Applications have been invited from Indian citizens for the post of Director, G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand) on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by April 5, 2026. Details can be availed from Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

Abhinav Bansal, who is presently posted as Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Sr. DME), Eastern Railway (ER), has been selected for deputation to Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) as Manager/CMM at New Delhi for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

R Ranga Rao, who is presently posted in East Coast Railway (ECoR), has been transferred to South Coast Railway (SCoR) and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Praveen Kumar, who is presently posted in Northern Railway (NR), has been transferred to South Coast Railway (SCoR) and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Deepak Kumar Gupta, who is presently posted in Rail Wheel Plant (RWP), has been transferred to South Coast Railway (SCoR) and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

M Trinadha Kumar, on return from deputation to Braithwaite & Co. Limited (BCL), has been posted on South Coast Railway (SCoR), in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Ms Asha Prasad has been transferred and posted as Assistant Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, New Delhi. The earlier transfer order posting her as Assistant Controller of Accounts, CBDT, has been cancelled. She is a 2023 batch ICAS officer.

Three IAS officers have been shifted in West Bengal. Vivek Bhasme Dattatraya has been appointed as CEO, Haldia Development Authority (HDA) with additional charge of ADM, Purba Medinipur, while Ms Archana Pandharinath Wankhede joins as ADM, Nadia and Ms Tenzin Semkyi Ogen is now Joint Secretary, Science & Technology Department. 

Jinen Ghelani has been re-appointed as Managing Director of Prime Fresh Limited.

Hiren Ghelani has been re-appointed as Whole-time Director of Prime Fresh Limited.

Bhupinder Kumar has been nominated as Government Nominee Director on the Board of Oil India Limited.

Mrs Jeny Gowadia has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Arco Leasing Limited.

Keyur Shah has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Arco Leasing Limited.

 

Akash Dubey has been appointed as Additional Director of Arco Leasing Limited, subject to shareholder approval.

Col Basavaraj K Kullolli has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Menon Pistons Limited.

Prafulla Chhajed has been re-appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Allcargo Terminals Limited.

KH Viswanathan has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Welspun Specialty Solutions Limited with effect from April 27, 2026.

Ms Amita Misra has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Welspun Specialty Solutions Limited with effect from April 27, 2026.

Rajesh Kumar Ailawadi has assumed office as Shareholder Director of UCO Bank with effect from March 8, 2026.

Annasaheb Dhondiba More has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Mohite Industries Limited.

Rohit Mathur has been nominated as Government Nominee Director on the Board of GAIL (India) Limited.

Susheel Kaul has resigned from the position of Managing Director & President (Textiles) of Arvind Limited.

Anand Pravin Pande has resigned from the position of Director of Icodex Publishing Solutions Limited.

“Use RTI as governance-enhancer”

The Economic Survey 2025-26 authored by the chief economic advisor and tabled in Parliament on Jan 29,2026, has called for a re-examination of the RTI Act, 2005.A good initiative.

While acknowledging the sunshine law as a powerful democratic reform and a tool for accountability against corruption,the economic survey says the Act was never intended “as a tool for idle curiosity”, nor as a mechanism to micromanage the government from  outside.

Going further, the Survey suggests  exempting brainstorming notes, working papers, and draft comments until they form part of the final record of decision-making, protection of service records, transfers, and confidential staff reports. It recommends exploring a possible ministerial veto to withhold information and proposed shielding certain categories of public service records, including transfers and staff-related reports of bureaucrats, from public scrutiny.Fair enough.

But,the survey is silent as to when would the ministerial veto be applicable--  that is,before the Information Commission decides an appeal, or after the Commission has ordered disclosure? This needs to be addressed.

The utility of the RTI Act  in exposing major scams ( the Vyapam,the Adarsh Housing Society scams etc) is not forgotten. This was also used to question the RBI during the banking scams. The Economic Survey has now initiated a debate on a review of existing provisions..

One hopes,the law makers keep the importance of RTI  in view as governance enhancer in the new era of Artificial Intelligence.

A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

Allegation that the South Eastern Coalfields Ltd did not allow him to appear in the first appeal

The appellant sought certified copy of compassionate appointment order, entire application process etc. of a third-party and the same was denied under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The respondent submitted that the appellant was informed of the first appeal hearing scheduled on 25.04.2024 vide letter dated 16.04.2024 but, he did not come for the hearing and has wrongly alleged in the instant second appeal that they did not allow him to appear in first appeal. The CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant and dismissed the appeal holding that no further intervention is required.

Comments

To make the RTI Act effective, both the appellant and the respondent should maintain transparency in their conduct.

Citation: D. K. Soni v. South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Second Appeal No. CIC/SECFL/A/2024/117153; Date of Decision:05.12.2025.

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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