5 Assembly elections to be held next year

Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are due in 2026.

Sources suggest that the Afghan delegation along with their Foreign Minister has been apprised of the protocols of a ‘Dignitary in Conflict’ on Indian soil
 

Intense clashes have erupted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Durand Line, sharply escalating regional tension and drawing a rapid diplomatic response in India. Sources confirm that as the fighting intensified, the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was briefed by top officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi on established diplomatic protocols and adapted strategies should the conflict deteriorate further. This high-security briefing aimed to ensure awareness among senior ministers and bureaucrats regarding best practices and the nuances of hosting a foreign dignitary, particularly under conflict conditions on Indian soil.

India, while not officially recognizing the Taliban government, has increasingly engaged with Afghan officials amidst regional turmoil. New Delhi faces complex protocol challenges, notably regarding official flag displays and diplomatic representation, as it balances legitimacy concerns with practical engagement needs. Ministry sources indicate that contingency plans and standard operating procedures are being communicated across key ministries—External Affairs, Home, Defence—and intelligence agencies to anticipate diplomatic and security ramifications. Officials are being sensitised to the specifics of protocols for foreign dignitaries, with particular attention given to security, confidentiality, and symbolic gestures during periods of border conflict.
This proactive approach reflects India’s intent to maintain diplomatic stability, uphold protocol integrity, and safeguard national interests while advancing constructive engagement in a rapidly shifting security environment.

Speculation mounts on Trump’s H-1B curbs

Whispers of a NATO-style Arab-Muslim defense pact, initiated by Saudi Arabia, gaining traction post-October 3, 2025, meetings; could include joint drone walls against threats. In US politics, speculation mounts on Trump’s H-1B curbs shifting $100B+ work to India by 2026, boosting GCCs but sparking short-term layoffs.

Former IAS officer joins Congress (UPDATED)

Kannan Gopinathan, former IAS officer who resigned from civil services after levelling criticisms against the Central Government has joined the Congress. He is 2012 batch former IAS officer.

Army Chief’s October 3 warning of no restraint against Pakistan fuels speculation of border escalations. On the other hand, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that chances of war with India are real.

Speculation is rife about a mega-merger of nine smaller PSBs into three anchors—Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab & Sind Bank, and UCO Bank into SBI; Bank of Baroda, Central Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank into PNB; and Union Bank, Indian Bank, and Bank of India into Canara Bank. This could happen by FY26 to create globally competitive entities under Viksit Bharat 2047, reducing the number of PSBs from 12 to 3. Whispers attributes this to Finance Ministry’s pressure for consolidation to tackle NPAs and boost scale.

The ACC’s approval of revised WTD selection guidelines for PSBs signals a potential reshuffle in top leadership at SBI and other PSBs by early 2026, prioritising inter-bank mobility to address skill gaps in digital banking and risk management. This could lead to cascading promotions among Deputy MDs.

Bimal Gupta is likely to join the Government of India as IG. He is 2006 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre.

Gaurav Dayal has been appointed as Chairperson at Joint Secretary level, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Navi Mumbai. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Amit Tandon, Principal Executive Director, RVNL, has been selected for the post of Director (Projects), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on October 11, 2025. As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.

Chaudhari Shivraj Singh, GM, Coal India Ltd, has been selected as Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) selection meeting held on October 11, 2025. As many as 11 persons were interviewed for the same.

Mrs Ragini Advani, Director (Finance), IRCON International Limited, appears to be an eligible candidate for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, IRCON International Limited.

The Government of India has started searching for a successor to Sanjeev Razdan as Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans Limited. The tenure of Razdan is coming to an end on January 31, 2026.

The Ministry of Steel will be filling the post of Director (Commercial), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) through Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) mode. The post has been lying vacant since July 1, 2025.

Sonali Sen Gupta has been appointed  new Executive Director (ED) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  with effect from October 9, 2025.

Karnataka tops national rankings for fund-function-functionary devolution to panchayats, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu—trending as a model for southern federalism, with predictions of 20% more rural IAS postings by 2026.

Five officers have been promoted to the grade of Chief Commissioner/Director General of Customs & Indirect Taxes in the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) (HAG+) against the Panel Year 2025. While Arun Kumar, Neeraj Kansal and Harmeet Singh Narang have been promoted on regular basis, Suresh Kumar and Subhasjh Ahrawal have been promoted on ad-hoc basis.

A report on “Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy" said that up to 4 million new AI-enabled jobs could be created within the next five years if India adopts a coordinated national approach. Prepared by NITI Aayog, the report highlights India’s strength lies in its people and with over nine million professionals in technology and customer experience sectors, and the world’s largest pool of young digital talent. "What we need now is urgency, vision, and coordination,” said B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog has proposed the launch of a National AI Talent Mission—a flagship, mission-mode initiative aimed at positioning India as the AI workforce capital of the world. The roadmap lays out a comprehensive blueprint for India’s leadership in the global AI economy by 2035.

Two officers in the grade of Principal Commissioner/ Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Indirect Taxes have been shifted. M G Thamizh Valavan, Pr. Commissioner, has been shifted to DGTS, Delhi (attached to OSD in CBIC) and Harendra Pal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, is posted to DGPM, Delhi (attached to OSD in CBIC).

As many as 22 IAS officers have been reshuffled in Uttarakhand. Dilip Jawalkar has been relieved of the charge of Secretary, Rural Development and Rural Works Department, while BCRC Purushottam has been relieved of the additional charge of Director, Fisheries and Chandresh Kumar Yadav is relieved of the charge of posts of Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department and Food Commissioner. Similarly, Ranveer Singh Chauhan has been given additional charge of Food Commissioner and relieved of responsibility of Director General, Agriculture and Horticulture; Mrs Sonika was assigned additional charge of Vice Chairman, Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority; Lalit Mohan Royal has been appointed as District Magistrate, Nainital and given additional charge of Vice Chairman, District Level Development Authority, Nainital; Vijay Kumar Jogdande has been relived additional charge of Additional Secretary, Revenue; Ms Vandana takes over as DG, Agriculture & Horticulture and Additional Secretary, Planning; Vineet Kumar has been relieved of Additional Secretary, Forest and given additional responsibility of Additional Secretary, Labour; Himanshu Khurana gets additional charge of Additional Secretary, Forest; Ms Anuradha Pal is relieved of charge of Additional Secretary, Medical Health & medical Education; Alok Kumar Pandey was appointed as CEO, PMGSY. Additional Secretary, Information Technology. Suraj and Science Technology, Director, ITDA and MD, Hiltron; Gaurav Kumar has been appointed as District Magistrate, Chamoli; Sandeep Tiwari as Director, Social Welfare, Haldwani; Ms Ravneet Cheema as Additional Secretary, Reorganisation Department; Vinod Goswami as Additional Secretary, Urban Development Department and Additional Secretary, Directorate of Urban Development; Ashish Kumar Bhatgai as District Magistrate, Pithoragarh; Ms Deepti Singh gets additional charge of Director, Horticulture; Mrs Akanksha Konde as District Magistrate, Bageshwar and Anshul Singh has been appointed as District Magistrate, Almora.

Neha Raj Kochhar has been promoted as Director (Law) in the Competition Commission of India with effect from October 8, 2025. Prior to this elevation, she was serving as Joint Director (Law) in the CCI. With the current promotion, no promotion post is vacant in CCI, as on date.

Ms Kalyani Sethuraman , CVO, HAL, Bengaluru, has been assigned an additional charge of CVO, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru till the appointment of a regular incumbent. She is a 1994 batch IRAS officer.

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) reported a 14% YoY capex rise to ₹3.85 lakh crore in H1 FY26, driven by Indian Railways and NHAI. September saw a 60% execution jump, trending as a “growth story” for PSUs amid Viksit Bharat.

Eswara Rao Nandam has been appointed as Chairperson of Artificial Electronics Intelligent Material.

Ms. Rapala Virtanen Tarja Hannele has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Artificial Electronics Intelligent Material Limited.

Ms. Sheetal Bhilkar has been appointed as Additional Independent Director of Arihant Superstructures Limited.

Dipesh Dalvi has been appointed as Additional Director in the category of Independent Director of Spice Islands Industries Limited.

Ms. Ritu Tiwari has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive, Independent) of Kabra Drugs Limited.

Ms. Nikita Sinha has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive, Independent) of Kabra Drugs Limited.

Sanjiv Harshad Shah has resigned from the post of Non-Executive Independent Director of Wealth First Portfolio Managers Limited.

 

Bangalore Venkatakrishnappa Ananth Kumar has resigned from the position of Whole-Time Director of Kabra Drugs Limited.

 

Mrs. Ananthkumar Shilpa has resigned from the position of Director of Kabra Drugs Limited.

 

Karuppannan Tamilselvan has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director cum Chairperson of Artificial Electronics Intelligent Material Limited with effect from October 9, 2025.

IAS in Corporate World

In my humble opinion, before passing the IAS, if they have a stint in the real private corporate world, it would be an invaluable experience in goals and achievement oriented performance, since it's in the corporate world that accountability lessons are truly learnt as profit oriented companies teach how to envision goals .

Achala Prasad

Copy of statement recorded by the Police

The Appellant contended during telephonic hearing before CIC that he had sought the statements dated 13.09.2023 collected by the Delhi Police, but the same had been denied to him by the Police authorities under the pretext that it had been submitted before the Court. But the statements were not available even in the Court records. The Respondent agreed to search the said statements in their records and make the same available for the Appellant. The CIC directed the PIO, O/o ACP Kalyanpuri to grant inspection of the relevant records pertaining to the queries raised by the Appellant, specifically the statements recorded by the Delhi Police on 13.09.2023, on a mutually convenient date and time. The CIC directed that copies of documents identified by the Appellant shall be provided to him upon payment of fees as stipulated under the Act. The Respondent were given the liberty to deny records containing any information which is expressly barred under Section 8 or 9 of the RTI Act and also apply provisions of Section 10 of the RTI Act to redact any third party information if deemed necessary while disclosing the records as sought by the Appellant.

Comments

While replying to an application, the veracity of facts must be verified by the PIO. A vigilant PIO would have exercised due caution before informing the RTI applicant that the documents have been submitted to the Court which was subsequently found to be factually incorrect, saving an embarassment.

Citation: Shri Vikrant v. Delhi Police, Second Appeal No.  CIC/DEPOL/A/2024/643049; Date of Decision: 21.08.2025

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