If sources are to be believed the GoI is likely to make changes at the secretary level this month  end or in the first half of April. About seven secretaries could be affected if reshuffle takes place.

A major structural change announced by the Centre is reshaping IAS, IPS, and IFoS allocations nationwide, including southern states. The five-zone system has been replaced with four new groupings: (1) North (J&K, Himachal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand); (2) East (UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh); (3) West & Central (MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa); and (4) South & North-East (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, plus North-Eastern states). This aims to balance cadre preferences and address vacancies. Southern states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha) now fall under Groups 2 and 4, potentially leading to increased inter-state deputations. This policy takes full effect from the 2026 UPSC batch onward.

The government plans to fast-track listings of green arms of PSUs in 2026, with NLC Green (from NLC India, a Navratna company) and SJVN Green (from SJVN, a Miniratna company) in focus. DIPAM aims to accelerate at least two such listings, signaling new business entities in renewable energy. This initiative is part of broader 2026 plans for PSU green subsidiaries.

A few social media posts criticised the IAS as “modern feudalism,” predicting external pressures (e.g., economic shifts in southern states) could force reforms like mandatory private-sector deputations for IPS officers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

As many as 1300 posts of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been lying vacant in various cadres in the country.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) on March 12, 2026.

The Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) set up by the Ministry of Steel is holding interviews for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) on March 14, 2026.

Subhasis Sengupta, Chief General Manager, DSP, SAIL, has been selected for the post of Director (Operations), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 10, 2026. As many as 12 persons were interviewed for the same.

Justice Prem Narayan Singh retired from the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been appointed as Chairman, Madhya Pradesh Arbitration Tribunal for a period of five years.

Law Secretary K G Sanalkumar has been appointed  as the State Election Commissioner in Kerala.

Deepak Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre in order to avail of the benefit of promotion in the cadre. He is a 1996 batch IFoS officer of Kerala cadre.

Move from zonal to grouped cadres promotes mobility, reducing “home-state bias” in postings—beneficial for Odisha/Kerala’s vacancy-prone areas.

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

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

Ashok Kumar Panda, Director (Finance), is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) falling vacant on April 3, 2026.

Shiv Pal Singh, CVO, BHEL, has been assigned an additional charge of CVO, Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC), Ranchi for a period of one year. He is a 1997 batch IFoS officer of UP cadre.

The Indian Army has cleared procurement of 300 indigenous Dhanush 155mm/45 calibre howitzers from Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL), equipping 15 artillery regiments. This ₹15,000+ crore deal emphasizes Make in India, with deliveries phased over 2026-2030 to replace ageing systems and boost border firepower. Analysts predict integration with AI-driven fire control for networked warfare.

Unofficial suggestions emerged for railway reforms, such as leasing suburban tracks to state metros/RRTS for efficiency, exiting short-haul operations, and focusing on 250+ km long-distance routes. This aligns with emerging trends in privatisation and digitalisation. No major whispers on officer reshuffles surfaced, but the merger proposal fuels speculation on leadership changes at merged entities. Overall, 2026 trends point to capex surges (potentially Rs 1.3 lakh crore for safety), network expansion to 69,439 RKMs, and high-speed testing tracks operational by March end.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre to advance research in space medicine. The collaboration targets the physiological impacts of microgravity on human health, including musculoskeletal systems, behavioral well-being, and overall astronaut safety. It supports upcoming missions like Gaganyaan (India’s first human spaceflight) and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). The initiative, led by AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas, also aims to develop Earth-based healthcare innovations from space-derived insights. This marks a significant step in integrating medical expertise with space technology for national self-reliance in human spaceflight.

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.

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

Last date to apply at the level of Assistant Inspector General of Forests (AIGF) posts in National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has been extended. The revised date is March 14, 2026.

Applications for the post of Financial Adviser, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi have been invited. Details can be availed from Ministry’s website.

Bharat Kumar Jog and Dr K P Singh have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Gliders India Limited (GIL) M/o Defence.

T Jacob and Vinodanand Jha have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL).

Lalit Chandra Trivedi has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1984 batch IRMS officer and retired as GM, East Central Railway.

Lov Verma has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1978 batch IAS officer and retired as Secretary, D/o Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) is seeking Group General Manager, East Zone at Kolkata on deputation basis.  Applications must reach latest by March 25, 2026.

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited is seeking to fill two posts of Deputy Chief Project Manager/Project Manager (Mechanical) for Ajmer and Ahmedabad. Applications must reach latest by March 31, 2026.

Shailesh Gupta, who is presently posted as Additional Member (Tele), Railway Board, has been assigned additional duties of the post of Additional Member (Signal), Railway Board, for a period of three months. He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

Arun Kumar Tiwari, on being relieved from deputation to Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), has been transferred to Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and posted as Executive Director/Bridges & Structures (B&S), RDSO. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Vineet Kumar Tyagi, formerly Senior Divisional Engineer (Sr.DEN), North Western Railway (NWR), has been granted extension in deputation tenure with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) as General Manager (Civil), Ahmedabad up to the fifth year, which is up to August 4, 2026. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Deepak Kumar Gupta, formerly Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer (Dy.CEE)/Headquarters, Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE), has been granted extension in deputation tenure with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) as General Manager (Coordination), Vadodara up to the fifth year, which is up to September 26, 2027. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Ajay Kumar, formerly Chief Engineer/Planning & Design (CE/P&D), Eastern Railway, has been granted post-facto extension in deputation tenure with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) up to October 9, 2025 beyond the fifth year. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Rahul Kirloskar has been appointed as Chairman of Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited with effect from April 1, 2026.

B Srinivas has been appointed as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited with effect from April 1, 2026.

Vinod Aggarwal has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited with effect from April 1, 2026.

Bharat Brijmohan Sharma has been re-appointed as Managing Director of Ganga Pharmaceuticals Limited with effect from April 1, 2026.

Dr Jayakumar Karuppusamy has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Excelsoft Technologies Limited.

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

Shri Vikram Saxena has been appointed as Government Nominee Director on the Board of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Vinod Seshan has been appointed as Government Nominee Director on the Board of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited.

Ms Shobha Prabhu Dayal has been appointed as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of TTL Enterprises Limited.

Ms Ranu Jain has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Onelife Capital Advisors Limited.

Nitesh Singh has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Onelife Capital Advisors Limited.

Abhay Sethia has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Onelife Capital Advisors Limited.

Abhay Sethia has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Onelife Capital Advisors Limited.

Mrs Bijal Yogesh Durgavale has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Mitshi India Limited.

Dr Azad Moopen has been appointed as Executive Director of Aster DM Healthcare Limited with effect from April 15, 2026.

Atul Kirloskar has resigned from the positions of Chairman and Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited with effect from March 31, 2026.

Anand Pravin Pande has resigned from the position of Director of Icodex Publishing Solutions Limited with effect from March 4, 2026.

Rohan Jagdipbhai Vora has resigned from the positions of Director and Chief Financial Officer of SBL Infratech Limited.

Mrs Bhagyashri Brijeshkumar Rajgor has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Director of TTL Enterprises Limited.

Hanumant Anaji Salunkhe has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Mitshi India Limited.

Mrs Drashti Tarun Salva has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Mitshi India Limited.

Predictions are truly outstanding

Your predictions are truly outstanding. Maybe you can also tell us what’s going to happen in the Iran–Israel war next?

Pankajj Ghode

Most of the officials at higher and middle management in public sector banks are not sensitive to the bank clients, I have faced many times, once I have to take up matters to the chairman when madam was CMD then it was resolved and staff of most of all public sector banks are not behaving friendly.

Mohan Goswami

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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