Many believe that BJP-ruled states have Centre’s choice as Chief Secretary. Many past appointments have made this indication clear, be it Rajesh Aggarwal in Maharashtra, Srinivas in Rajasthan, and more -a new pattern is being keenly observed. Now the next test is said to be in Odisha. Manoj Ahuja, who received a one-year extension, is said to retire in December 2025. Will this time also be the Centre’s choice in Odisha? Only time can tell.

Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of Secretaries in Government of India. Presently, there are ten Secretaries and Secretary equivalent IAS officers from the state.

Insiders say that the entire new team of the Central Information Commission (CIC) is the choice of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Any guesses?

Ravi Ranjan has been appointed as new Managing Director, State Bank of India. He succeeded Vinay M Tonse retired in November.

B Sairam, CMD Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), has been appointed Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Coal India Limited (CIL) up to his superannuation March 31 2028.

Parthajit De, GM, NHPC Limited, has been selected for the post of Director (Finance), SJVN Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on December 15, 2025. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

B Mugunthan, Financial Adviser & CAO in Railways has been selected for the post of Director (Finance), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on December 15, 2025.

Ms. Smita Srivastava, Executive Director, New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL), is retiring on December 31, 2025.

Suresh Chandra Suman, Director (Mining), NLC India Limited is in the race for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, NLC India Limited.

Amit Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, has been assigned an additional charge of Secretary, Telecommunications till December 21, 2025. He is a 1993 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Ms Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Chemicals & Petrochemicals has been assigned an additional charge of Secretary, Health and Family Welfare till December 21, 2025. She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

The post of Ms Shalini Agnihotri has been upgraded as Director in the Department of School Education and Literacy. She is a 2012 batch IPS officer of HP cadre.

The post of Padmakar Kushwaha has been upgraded as Director in the Department of Atomic Energy. He is a 2012 batch IA &AS officer.

The post of Ms Garima Sharma has been upgraded as Director in the Department of Higher Education. She is a 2012 batch IRS-IT officer.

The post of Ms Richa Verma has been upgraded as Director in the Department of Higher Education. She is a 2012 batch IAS officer of HP cadre.

The Government of India has renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2025. The proposed move aims to refresh the scheme’s identity while reinforcing its Gandhian roots in rural self-reliance and employment generation. Alongside the name change, the government is expected to introduce additional benefits for existing beneficiaries, including higher wage rates linked to inflation, expanded coverage for semi-skilled work, and improved digital payment mechanisms. The revamped scheme may also incentivize skill development and sustainable livelihood projects such as water conservation and agro-forestry. Officials suggest that the rebranding aligns with a broader effort to modernize India’s flagship rural employment program while retaining its core principle — offering guaranteed wage employment to rural households during periods of job distress.

Oman to transfer 20+ retired Jaguars to India for spares cannibalisation, addressing IAF’s 6 Jaguar squadrons amid squadron depletion (down to 30 from 42 sanctioned).

December analyses showing Tamil Nadu leading in prison-judiciary reforms (100% budget utilisation, halved HC vacancies). New project: Forensics and mediation focus, with states allocating 15% more budgets (e.g., Uttar Pradesh’s digital legal aid vans).

Offline examination for four vacancies of Assistant Veterinary Surgeon in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will be held on December 21, 2025. The session will be held at Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Jaipur,  Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam and Port Blair from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.

Ministry of Labour and Employment has advertised the post of Junior Accountant (Non-Gazetted) in Audit Cell. Details can be availed from the Ministry’s website.

Post of Executive Director in Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been advertised. Applications must reach latest by January 15, 2026.

Post of Director (Investment) in Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been advertised. Applications must reach latest by January 15, 2026.

Two vacancies for the post of Deputy Director (Examination Reforms) in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) have been advertised. Online applications can be sent through website https://upsconline.nic.in latest by January 1, 2026.

Last date to apply for Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy, Kapurthala has been extended. Revised date is December 31, 2025.

Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM), Faridabad under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has invited applications for the post of Chief Administrative Officer. Applications must reach latest by December 31, 2025.

Kishore Kumar Patel, who is presently serving in West Central Railway (WCR), has been transferred to Metro Railway and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

M S Patiyal (YOA: 2007), presently posted at Embassy of India, Tunis, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.

Nagesh Singh, presently Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia. He is a 1995 batch IFS officer.

Five IAS officers have been given new assignments in UP. Rajesh Kumar has been appointed as Additional CEO, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), while Prerna Sharma takes over as Special Secretary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department and Additional CEO, Invest UP and T K Shibu, Special Secretary, Agriculture Production Commissioner Branch, will also hold the charge of Special Secretary, Horticulture and Food Processing Department and Head of Department, Food Processing along with his current post. Besides, Devi Prasad Pal joins as CDO, Chitrakoot and Devendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha, Special Secretary, Sericulture Department, will now also hold the charge of Director, Sericulture.

Six IAS officers have been given new postings in Haryana. Yogesh Kumar has been appointed as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Karnal and District Municipal Commissioner, Karnal, while Subhita Dhaka joins as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Palwal and Jaideep Kumar was made Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Similarly, Sonu Bhatt is posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Gurugram and Additional Managing Director, HSIIDC and CEO, Global City Project, Gurugram; Vivek Arya as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Kurukshetra and Abhinav Siwach will take charge as SDO (Civil), Bahadurgarh.

Prabhat Kumar has been appointed as SP, Mahasamund, in Chhattisgarh. He is a 2019 batch IPS officer.

Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, paid an official visit to Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla today. On his arrival, he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the CISF Unit, DPA Kandla. During the visit Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, briefed him on the Port’s strong performance, operational achievements and ongoing as well as upcoming development initiatives aimed at enhancing capacity, efficiency and sustainability. The Secretary MoPSW appreciated DPA’s consistent growth trajectory and its strategic role in strengthening India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. A major highlight of the visit was the inauguration and foundation stone laying of multiple landmark developmental projects of Deendayal Port Authority, with a total project outlay of Rs. 193 crore. These projects are poised to significantly improve port infrastructure, accelerate cargo evacuation and support long-term expansion and modernization of the Port. Projects Inaugurated: • Reclamation of land for development of a Shipyard Facility at Kandla. • Coastal Road Connectivity linking the Port to National Highway141. • Dome-Shaped Storage Godown No. 4, enhancing modern storage capacity. Foundation Stones Laid: • Providing and laying of Chemical Product Pipeline from Oil Jetty No. 7 to Y-Junction within the Oil Jetty Complex, Kandla. • Upgradation of Fenders at Cargo Berth Nos. 1 to 6 at Deendayal Port. • Construction of E-Type Residential Quarters at Port Township, Gopalpuri, Gandhidham. • Construction of a Conference Hall at the Administrative Office Building, Gandhidham. Construction of a New Shopping Complex at Port Township, Gopalpuri, Gandhidham. • Construction of a Police Community Hall at Police Headquarters, Shinay, under CSR initiatives. Reinforcing DPA Kandla’s commitment to green and sustainable port operations, Vijay Kumar, IAS also inaugurated the Fleet of Green VOLVO Electric Vehicle (EV) Loaders along with the Charging Bay, marking another milestone in the Port’s green transition journey. Further, a significant step towards clean fuel adoption was taken with the award of LOA to M/s Thermax for the development of India’s first 5 TPD Green Methanol Facility at Deendayal Port, positioning Kandla at the forefront of alternative marine fuel infrastructure in the country. In addition, the Secretary MoPSW attended a Stakeholders’ Meet in the presence of Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman and Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Dy. Chairman. The interactive session witnessed active participation from port users and stakeholders, leading to constructive deliberations and meaningful discussions on operational efficiencies, future opportunities and collaborative growth.

Vinay Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, has been repatriated to his parent. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Harish Singh Papola has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister. He is a 2015 batch IRPFS officer.

Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has been assigned an additional charge of MD, National Horticulture Board (NHB) till June 22, 2026. He is a 1998 batch IFoS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

B Sriramachandra Murty has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 1995 batch ITS officer.

Ashwin M Kotnis has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2003 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Anand Chekkilla has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSEE officer.

Prem Chand Lochab has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSEE officer.

Satish Kumar has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSEE officer.

Sumit Garg has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSEE officer.

Vipin Pal Singh has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSEE officer.

Amit Sinha has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSME officer.

Brijesh Kumar Pandey has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSME officer.

Vinamra Mishra has been empaneled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2002 batch IRSME officer.

Ms Meenu Kumarr has been promoted to the grade of Principal Commissioner of Customs and Indirect Taxes (HAG). She is a 1989 batch IRS-Customs officer.

Ms Nivedita Swain has been appointed as Private Secretary to Mrs Shobha Karandlaje, Minister for MSME. She is a 2010 batch IRAS officer.

Adani Enterprises exploring US$5B AI data center in South India—trending as part of India’s data boom, with MNCs like Google/IBM shifting GCCs from Eastern Europe. 

boAt Founders’ Exit Ahead of IPO: Co-founders Sameer Ashok Mehta (former CEO) and Aman Gupta (former CMO) resigned from executive roles, transitioning to Executive Director and Non-Executive Director positions, respectively. New CEO Gaurav Nayyar was appointed to lead operations. Independent analyst Jayant Mundhra called this a “calculated pre-IPO pivot” to mitigate “key man risk” and strengthen governance, just 29 days before the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filing.

MNC Arms Outpacing Parents: Reports highlighted Indian subsidiaries of MNCs (e.g., Google India, Unilever) outperforming global parents, prompting stake sales for higher valuations. Speculation: More listings like Hyundai’s (October 2024) could follow, with LG Electronics India eyeing a $1.3 billion IPO in October 2025.

SS Iyer has been re-appointed as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Can Fin Homes Limited, effective March 18, 2026.

Mark Damian Stevenson has been appointed as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Jupiter Wagons Limited.

Ms. Kalpana Unadkat has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of TVS Motor Company Limited.

Sejal Doshi has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Suumaya Corporation Limited.

Santanu Mukherjee has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Bandhan Bank Limited.

The government has been delaying the appointment of these important positions just to find out who is to be rehabilitated, and in that process, the common man is a loser. The decision of my 4 RTIs, given by one IC, has not been implemented by RCS and DDA, and my 3 RTIs have been pending for a hearing for 3 years. If CIC does not try to improve the authority, it will become a Dead Letter as pointed out by former CJI.

Vishnu Agrawal

Information about PPF account of wife

A husband sought for the current balance of PPF account and last amount deposit of his wife enclosing the copy of marriage certificate as the evidence of marriage. The PIO denied the information under section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act. Before the CIC, the PIO explained that as per the procedure under Section 11 of the RTI Act, the consent from the concerned third-party and wife of the appellant was sought. However, she had declined consent for disclosure of information relating to her PPF account. The CIC noted that there is no public interest and rejected the appeal.

Comments

Many couples feel that they have a right to seek information about their spouse from a government agency. Legally, husband and wife are distinct individuals and the information relating to each of them has to be considered personal to each one of them.

Citation: Vipin Mittal v. Department of Post, Second Appeal No. CIC/POSTS/A/2024/645016; Date of Decision: 14.10.2025

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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