The sun had barely risen over Pachgaon when the school courtyard filled with the sound of young voices reciting the Preamble in perfect unison. At the Vidyalaya, it was an ordinary morning assembly, no ceremonies, no rehearsals-yet in this simple routine, seeds of something extraordinary were being sown.

Across the road, students at the Government Senior Secondary School gathered in the digital library. Some watched an RSTV documentary on the making of the Constitution, while others displayed artworks representing its elements-the Preamble as the roots, Fundamental Rights and Duties as branches and the Constitution itself as the trunk. The mild winter air seemed to whisper that a quiet civic transformation was taking place.

Chandra Jyoti Abhiyan: Civic Values in Action

This transformation is driven by the Chandra Jyoti Abhiyan, a district-wide civic campaign led by Nivrutti Somnath Avhad, CEO of Dholpur Zila Parishad, Rajasthan. The initiative embeds constitutional values-justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, not as abstract ideals but as lived experiences. Rooted in NEP 2020, it emphasizes civic education, computational thinking and teaching AI, empowering students and teachers to engage with democratic and technological processes.

The Abhiyan draws strength from convergence. Schools, libraries, Panchayats, NGOs, CSR partners and community members come together using existing resources rather than creating new structures. 

Digital Samvidhan Ghar: Repurposing the Old, Shaping the New

A key pillar of the initiative is the Digital Samvidhan Ghar (DSG) model-an affectionate, warm, people-centric space that goes far beyond a library. DSGs reinvent unused or dilapidated government buildings into vibrant, technology-enabled civic learning libraries. Without constructing new infrastructure, the Abhiyan repurposes these assets, saving taxpayer money while deepening community ownership.

28 DSGs are already functional with CSR support from SBI Cards, and another 50 DSGs will be completed soon with CSR support from IIFCL (DFS), taking the total to around 80 libraries. Each DSG is equipped with Wi-Fi, tablets, computers, solar lighting, clean washrooms, accessibility ramps,CCTV where feasible and bilingual book collections. Over 120 civic and learning activities take place every month from reading circles and exam preparation to Gram Sabha-linked discussions.

Sustainability Through Community Ownership

Sustainability is built through a multi-layered structure:

• Library Management Committees (LMCs) are formed in every village, headed by the Gram Sevak and comprising teachers, SHG members,retired officials,youth and the Sarpanch.
• Every library has its own bank account, community user list and contribution model.
• Funds are earmarked in the GPDP for regular maintenance.
• A Samvidhan Mitra in each library handles daily operations with a small stipend.
• A District Digital Library Task Force ensures policy alignment,ease of replication, and deep community mobilisation.

This model ensures that DSGs are not government-owned spaces alone,they are people’s institutions, maintained as collective assets.

AI a Core Pillar 

A major highlight of Chandrajyoti is the integration of AI education, strongly rooted in NEP 2020’s emphasis on computational thinking, digital literacy and future skills. Dholpur is investing significantly in AI training for teachers and students, ensuring that constitutional awareness is complemented with 21st-century readiness. DSGs will serve as hubs for AI learning,coding sessions and digital upskilling, creating a district prepared for the future of work.

Civic Learning: From Awareness to Action

The Abhiyan follows a simple but powerful behavioural-change framework:
Soch (Spark) → Samajh (Reflect) → Sankalp (Commit) → Sakriyata (Act) → Samavisht (Embed).

Through morning prompts, wall murals, Baal Sansads, debates, quizzes, project-based learning, and community dialogues, over 50,000 students across 350+ schools are engaging deeply with constitutional values. More than 200 teachers, especially Political Science teachers,have been trained under Mission Karmayogi and NEP 2020 to make civic education interactive, contextual, and experiential.

A Triangular Model of Development: State-Market-Civil Society

The Chandrajyoti model stands out for its efficient resource mobilisation and coalition building. It brings together:

• State (government systems, policies, GPDP funding)
• Market (CSR partners like IIFCL and SBI Cards)
• Civil Society (NGOs, community groups, youth)

This triangular partnership strengthens local SDGs, builds social capital and transforms civic spaces into platforms for empowerment.

A Vision for the Future

The initiative demonstrates that the true architects of India’s future are its citizens-walking the journey from Soch to Samavisht, shaping the nation with understanding, commitment, and action, towards a Vikasit Bharat 2047. Through digital Savidhan Ghars,multi-stakeholder support and civic engagement, Dholpur is scripting a story where constitutional values, technology, and education converge to build an empowered, informed and participatory society.

Who will succeed Manoj Pant as Chief Secretary of West Bengal on January 1 ? Tie is said to be between 1993 batch IAS officer Prabhat Kumar Mishra and 1992 batch IAS officer Barun Kumar Ray.

The Andhra Pradesh government has extended the service of Chief Secretary K Vijayanand for three months from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 but the question in discussion among the bureaucrats is, whether the next Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, who will succeed K Vijayanand, would get an extension? The G Sai Prasad is scheduled to retire on May 31, 2026. In the order extending the tenure of the incumbent Chief Secretary, the government also appointed G Sai Prasad, Special Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department & E O Special Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, as the Chief Secretary with effect from March 1, 2026. G Sai Prasad is expected to receive an extension to ensure a smooth working in the State’s official machinery. But the question is, for how many more months, Sai Prasad will get an extension?.

The government is selling a 6% stake in Bank of Maharashtra through an Offer for Sale (OFS). On Day 1, the offering received 4x more bids than available shares, triggering the greenshoe option.

The government initially planned to sell 5% of its stake at ₹54 per share. With overwhelming investor demand (400% subscription), the government activated an additional 1% stake through the greenshoe option, bringing total divestment to 6%. This will raise approximately ₹2,492 crore for the exchequer.

It’s a built-in safety mechanism that allows the seller to offer extra shares if demand exceeds expectations. The underwriter can buy these shares back at the original offer price if the stock price rises—ensuring no profit or loss for them while meeting investor appetite and stabilizing prices. In this case, strong Day 1 interest automatically triggered the 1% additional option.

Retail investors bid on December 3. This strong institutional response signals market confidence in the bank’s fundamentals and helps the government meet its disinvestment targets.

Currently there is one vacancy of Judge  in Supreme Court . Who will be elevated this time! From bar or bench?.

A vacancy of Chairman & Managing Director, Western Coalfields Limited is arising on February 1, 2026 with the expiring term of incumbent Jai Prakash Dwivedi in January.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is yet to hold interviews for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR). A vacancy of this post is arising on August 1, 2026.

Ramakrishnan Chander has been appointed new MD of the Life Insurance Corporation. He was earlier ED.

Dinesh Garg has been appointed as Company Secretary, REC Limited after the cessation of incumbent J S Amitabh.

The new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office has been named Seva Teerth, a title chosen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself to embody the ethos of governance as a sacred duty of service. The name blends the Sanskrit words ‘Seva’ (service) and ‘Teerth’ (pilgrimage site), reflecting Modi’s vision of the PMO not merely as an administrative nerve center but as a place dedicated to national upliftment and collective well-being. Seva Teerth is designed to inspire a spirit of humility, dedication, and purpose among those working at the highest levels of government. Conceptually, it represents a shift from authority to service—where decisions are guided not by power but by responsibility toward the people. Aligned with Modi’s broader idea of ‘Seva hi Param Dharma’ (Service is the highest duty), the complex symbolizes India’s evolving governance philosophy—rooted in tradition yet shaped for a modern, self-reliant future.

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the name of Justice Arvind Kumar Verma, Additional Judge, Chhattisgarh High Court, for appointment as a Permanent Judge of that High Court.

Group Captain (Dr) Ranganathan Kannan, PhD, took charge as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Defence at Nagpur. He succeeds Group Captain Ratnakar Singh. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1995, Group Captain (Dr) Ranganathan Kannan, PhD, has 30 years of service as an Administrative Officer.

 Internal discussions at CDD 2025 hint at expanding AgniVeer recruitment to 1 lakh annually by mid-2026, focusing on tech skills for drone/artillery units. Predictions include “Bhairav battalions” and “Rudra brigades” for offensive upgrades, potentially announced in Q1 2026.

Potential emergency acquisition of 40 Russian Su-57s as a “stopgap,” though unconfirmed and controversial due to sanctions. Whispers suggest IAF lobbying for 52 surveillance satellites under SBS-III by 2029.

A ripple effect in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where similar IPS-to-IAS postings occur, potentially forcing 5–10 reassignments by January 2026. Sources whisper of political pressure from the Revanth Reddy government to delay the hearing.

Lakshmi Narayanan R has been appointed as Additional CIT (OSD) in the office of Pr CCIT,(International Taxation), Delhi on return from foreign deputation. He is an IRS-IT officer.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Limited has invited applications from  IRSE/ Ex-IRSE Officers, working in/ retired from the Indian Railways/ Govt. Organisation/ PSUs for the post of Additional General Manager (Civil). Applications must reach latest by December 19, 2025.

Vacancy for the post of Assistant Director (Official Language), Headquarters, Dhanbad in Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) in the Ministry of Labour & Employment will arise on January 1, 2026. Details can be availed from the ministry’s website.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is seeking four Chief Engineers - Rolling Stock, Signalling and Telecommunication, and Contracts on deputation basis. Online applications must reach latest by December 24, 2025. Details can be availed from https://www.bmrc.co.in/.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is seeking six Deputy Chief Engineers - Rolling Stock, Signalling and Telecommunication, Contracts and Traction department on deputation basis. Online applications must reach latest by December 24, 2025. Details can be availed from https://www.bmrc.co.in/.

Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) has advertised the post of Accounts Officer for IMTEAT Hqs, Bhutan on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by December 10, 2025.

Directorate General Of Shipping, Mumbai has invited applications for the post of Ship Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General(Technical), General Central Service. Details can be availed from htto://www.dgshipping.gov.in.

Akhil Kumar Agarwal, formerly Chief Engineer (CE), Northern Railway (NR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with IRCON International Limited (IRCON) as Chief General Manager (Civil) [CGM (Civil)] up to December 6, 2027 (for the sixth and seventh year). He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Neeraj Gupta, formerly Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer, Headquarters [Dy. CME/HQ], Northern Railway (NR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with IRCON International Limited (IRCON) as Chief General Manager (Mechanical) [CGM (Mech)] for six months beyond the sixth year, which is up to March 2, 2026. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Yanna Srujan Kumar, formerly Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer/Southern Railway [DSTE/SR], has been granted a post-facto extension of his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) up to April 11, 2023, beyond the fifth year (which is up to  December 19, 2022). He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

Sushil Kumar, formerly Assistant Personnel Officer (APO), Northern Railway (NR), has been granted a post-facto extension of his deputation tenure with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) up to December 18, 2023, which is six days beyond the fifth year. He belongs to the Personnel Department.

RN Ranmung, formerly Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM), Rangiya, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) as Chief Regional Manager (E-6), Guwahati, for the fourth year, which is up to March 2, 2027. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Om Prakash Yadav, formerly Professor (Finance & Accounts), Indian Railway Institute of Transport Management (IRITM), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) as General Manager (Finance & Accounts) [GM (F&A)], Delhi, for the fourth and fifth year, which is up to November 27, 2027. He is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

SC Choudhary, who is presently serving as Principal Chief Safety Officer (PCSO), South East Central Railway (SECR), has been transferred to East Coast Railway (ECoR), and posted as PCSO. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.

Anup Kumar Satpathy, who is presently serving as Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM), North Eastern Railway (NER), has been transferred to South East Central Railway (SECR), and posted as Principal Chief Safety Officer (PCSO). He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Arvind Kumar Rajak, who is presently serving as Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM), (CHOD), has been posted in the same capacity in West Central Railway (WCR). He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Prem Sagar Gupta, who is presently serving as Principal Executive Director (PED), CE (P), in the Railway Board, has been transferred to Northern Railway (NR) and posted as Principal Chief Engineer (PCE). He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Joint Secretary in Ministry of Health, Vijay Nehra has been given the additional charge of Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross Society. He is 2001 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Ramesh Kumar Verma, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Industry and Internal Trade, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 2013 batch ITS officer.

Vaibhav Chandrakant Ghalme, Director, Health & Family Welfare has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 2011 batch ICAS officer.

Ujjwal Kumar has been appointed as Private Secretary to Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence. He is a 2005 batch officer of Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Two IPS officers in Gujarat: Manoj Sashidhar of 1994 batch currently on central deputation and Raju Bhargava of 1995 batch, have been promoted to DGP rank.

Rajesh Pratap Singh Sisodia has assumed charge as Director (Planning & Projects) of NLC India Limited, at Neyveli. A seasoned professional with more than three decades of rich experience across various core engineering sectors, Rajesh Pratap Singh Sisodia has led various technical divisions before serving as Executive Director at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Ajoy Sharma has been empanelled for holding Additional Secretary and Additional Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Shashi Bhushan has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 1998 batch ICoAS officer.

Four IPS officers of the 2007 batch in Gujarat have been promoted to IGP rank. Three of the promoted officers: Divya Mishra, Deepan Bhadran and Saurabh Tolumbia, are on Central deputation, while the fourth officer P V Rathod is posted in Gujarat.

Nine IPS officers of 2022 and 2023 batches have been posted as Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Gujarat. From the 2022 batch, Ankita Mishra was posted as ASP of Aslali in Ahmedabad Rural; Ghanshyam Gautam as ASP, Bhavnagar Rural, Bhavnagar and Akshay Mahendra Engineer is now ASP, Mandvi, Surat Rural. Similarly, from the 2023 batch, Harsh Sharma was appointed ASP, Bodeli, Chhota Udepur; Gautam Vivekanandan as ASP, Mundra, Kutch; Vedika Bihani as ASP, Surendranagar Division, Surendranagar; Naveen Chakravarti Repudi as ASP, Jasdan, Rajkot Rural; Vikas Yadav as ASP, Santrampur, Mahisagar and Dr Sandip T will join as ASP, Dharampur, Valsad.

The Government of India has extended the tenure of Arun Kumar Singh as Chairman, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for a period of one year. His tenure was coming to an end on December 6, 2025.

In a landmark moment for India’s maritime sector, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the steel cutting ceremony for India’s First All Electric Green Tug, being built for Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). The ceremony was graced by the virtual presence of Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chirman, DPA; senior officers and staff of DPA Kandla, representatives of Netincon / Ripley, technical experts from Kongsberg and the engineering teams of Atreya Shipyard. Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Dy. Chairman, and J K Rathod, CPES, CVO, DPA, joined the event through VC along with DPA officers from the Administrative Office Building, Gandhidham, while DPA representatives were present on-site in Goa to witness the steel cutting first-hand. Promoting the spirit of “Make in India, Make for the World,” DPA's All-Electric Green Tug will be equipped with a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions and maximum efficiency. This next-generation tug is poised to set new benchmarks in sustainable maritime operations. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister expressed his happiness that the manufacturing process for India’s first Green Tug has commenced today. He remarked that this achievement marks a historic milestone for the Indian maritime sector as the nation moves resolutely toward the Net-Zero vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister highlighted that under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India is fully committed to sustainable growth and clean energy transition. The commencement of steel cutting for DPA’s Green Tug represents a major step forward in this direction. He further stated that the upcoming fleet of Indian Green Tugs will not only strengthen the nation’s maritime capabilities but will also create a global market footprint, promoting the spirit of “Make in India, Make for the World.” The Minister extended his warm appreciation and best wishes to all stakeholders, engineers, technicians and partner agencies involved in this prestigious project, noting that their dedication is shaping the future of maritime operations in India. Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, through this pioneering initiative, continues to play a leading role in promoting green technologies and sustainable port operations in alignment with the Government of India’s maritime vision.

Manish Bansal, a senior executive in the home furnishings sector, was transferred from his previous role to become President of Welspun Living in Mumbai, India. This move aligns with the recent India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signaling dynamic corporate adjustments in global trade-focused businesses. Welspun, an MNC with operations in the USA and UK, aims to leverage Bansal’s expertise for expansion in home textiles.

Phase 1 complete (₹240 crore); total ₹430–470 crore; modern amenities, not an “airport hangar” per critics. Enhanced pilgrim connectivity; part of 1,318 Amrit Bharat stations (₹11 billion invested June 2025).

Mrs Sheetal Jayesh Sawant has been appointed as Additional Director (Independent) of Garware Synthetics Limited.

Ms Ameera Shah has ceased to be Independent Director of ACC Limited on completion of tenure.

Vipul Bansal has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Independent Director of Valecha Engineering Limited.

Ramakant Sagarmal Biyani has resigned from the position of Managing Director of GSB Finance Limited.

Suyash Ramakant Biyani has resigned from the position of Director and Chief Financial Officer of GSB Finance Limited.

Ms Usha Yogesh Patel has resigned from the position of Independent Director of GSB Finance Limited.

Harish Koraga Shrivan has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Garware Synthetics Limited.

V Srinivas is very talented

I agree, Rajasthan's new CS V Srinivas is very talented. He is so transparent, he uploads his daily work updates on his X account, we the citizens can have a look at the major works which he completes daily.
Although, I wanted the current fertiliser secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra to become Rajasthan's CS, I am also happy with the choice of Mr Srinivas for this post. He is a tech savvy bureaucrat.

Rajat Galav

Staff shortage

When there has been staff shortages in the banks, customers service will definitely receive beatings. We cannot eat the cake and have it too.

Manik

Can penal action be initiated against the PIO who has retired?

The appellant sought a certified copy of the initial map related to a particular building which was donated to Jhansi Cantonment Board for construction purposes. The appellant also sought a certified copy of the General Land Register, total property tax assessed and other related information. As no response was received within the prescribed time period, the appellant filed the first appeal and later the second appeal before the CIC. According to the arguments presented by the respondent, the current PIO, who was responsible for disposing of the submitted RTI application has retired, and no show cause notice proceedings can be initiated under Section 20 of the RTI Act against a retired PIO. The CIC directed the current PIO, Cantonment Board, Jhansi, to ensure timely and proper disposal of pending RTI applications in accordance with the law, failing which appropriate action shall be taken against them in the future under the provisions of the Act. Further, the CIC directed the PIO, Cantonment Board, Jhansi, to examine the information sought by the appellant through the submitted RTI application and, based on the available records, provide the requested information/response to the appellant in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Comments

A coordinate bench of the CIC in Appeal Nos. CIC/PB/2008/00999 and CIC/SM/A/2009/000286 dated 13-05-2010 held that since the concerned PIO has retired from the service, we find it not possible to impose any penalty on him at this point of time. The precedent was followed in many subsequent orders like Shri Chander Prakash v. AAI, CIC/SS/C/2013/000053 dated 18.12.2013. The RTI Act does not specifically debar action against the PIO on superannuation.

Citation: Sudhir Choudhary v.Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Jhansi Cantonment Board, File No: CIC/DIGDE/A/2024/114007; Date of order: 03.11.2025

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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