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Whispers in the Corridors - Dr Suresh Mehrotra, Editor-in-Chief 

POLITICS

Home Minister Amit Shah not keen on Sharad Pawar joining the NDA?

Following Ajit Pawar's tragic death in a plane crash on January 28, 2026, which has left the NCP factions in flux, reports suggest Amit Shah may not be keen on Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) joining the NDA, potentially stalling merger talks that were eyeing an early February announcement under leaders like Sunetra Pawar. Speculatively, this reported reluctance—echoing past frictions—could prompt the BJP to prop up a loyal Ajit faction splinter to secure Mahayuti's Maharashtra grip, marginalizing Pawar ahead of polls, though his political savvy or court interventions on symbols might still pivot dynamics by mid-2026.

BUREAUCRACY

Beyond Books: IAS Aparajita Push to Build Confident Learners in Kaithal

While schools have traditionally focused on academics and more recently on extracurricular activities, still one crucial aspect has often been overlooked ‘confidence building’.

This is gradually changing in Haryana’s Kaithal district. IAS Aparajita, a 2018 batch officer of Haryana cadre and currently posted as Collector of Kaithal, has been focusing on how to make learning interactive with particular emphasis on building their confidence.She believes students should feel comfortable asking questions without the fear of being wrong.

“I want to instil curiosity in children and build their confidence. Even if they ask a question and are wrong, they should be able to ask again and attempt the answer” she says.

To support this approach, schools in the district have adopted experiment based learning models that encourage hands-on participation.A key feature of this approach is “Joyful Saturdays” where regular classes are made engaging through interactive sessions, group activities and simple experiments to increase participation and interest among students.

Alongside educational initiatives,Aparajita is also working on strengthening infrastructure across the district.

IAS Aparajita efforts aim to nurture a more curious, interactive and confident next generation,that never shy aways from asking a question or in learning.

24 IAS officers of 2010 batch empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

A total of 24 officers of 2010 batch of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been empaneled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India.

Nidhi Srivastava empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Nidhi Srivastava has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. She is a 2010 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Sakshi Mittal empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Sakshi Mittal has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. She is a 2010 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Jitender Yadav empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Jitender Yadav has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Amrapali Kata empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Amrapali Kata has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. She is a 2010 batch IAS officer of AP cadre.

Narayan Konwar empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Narayan Konwar has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of AM cadre.

Sujeet Kumar empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Sujeet Kumar has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Hardik Satishchandra Shah empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Hardik Satishchandra Shah has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

S S Nakul empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

S S Nakul has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

K B Sivakumar empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

K B Sivakumar has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Ganesh Shankar Mishra empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Ganesh Shankar Mishra has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Shanmuga Priya Mishra empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Shanmuga Priya Mishra has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Shelesh Nawal empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Shelesh Nawal has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Ashutosh Salil empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Ashutosh Salil has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Uday G Chaudhari empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Uday G Chaudhari has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Harmit Singh Pahuja empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Harmit Singh Pahuja has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre.

Karma R Bonpo empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Karma R Bonpo has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.

Kapil Meena empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Kapil Meena has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.

Praveen P Nair empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Praveen P Nair has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Rashmi Siddharth Zagade empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Rashmi Siddharth Zagade has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. Zagade is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Preeti Meena empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Preeti Meena has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. She is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Telangana cadre.

Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Tripura cadre.

K Balaji empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

K Balaji has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Vishwanath empaneled as Joint Secretary in GoI

Vishwanath has been empanelled for holding the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

Neville Tata to be appointed Trustee of Tata Trust on Feb 15 after a long drawn Corporate battle

After months of internal deliberations and a protracted corporate tussle, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) board is set to meet on February 15 to formally appoint Neville Tata as a trustee. The move marks a significant development in one of Tata Trusts’ longest-running succession and governance battles. Neville Tata, the younger son of Noel Tata, is expected to play a key role in the next generation’s involvement with the philanthropic arm of the Tata group. His induction follows extended discussions among trustees over the trust’s leadership structure and future representation. The appointment aims to stabilize the trust’s functioning and reinforce continuity after a phase of internal restructuring and disagreements over governance strategy.

DG Telecom retiring this month

R K Goyal, DG, Telecom is superannuating this month. He assumed the charge on January 1. He is an ITS officer.

P V N Suresh Babu promoted to CC/DG-Customs grade

P V N Suresh Babu has been promoted to the grade of Chief Commissioner/Director General of Customs & Indirect Taxes. He is a 1993 batch IRS-Customs officer.

Ashok Juneja promoted to DGP grade in CG

Ashok Juneja has been promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) grade in Chhattisgarh. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Divakar Jayant Assumes Charge of DG Naval Armament (DGONA)

Divakar Jayant, an officer from the 1991 batch of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS), assumed the role of Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (MoD). He succeeded P Upadhyay, who superannuated on January 31, 2026. Jayant, an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi, has over 33 years of experience in naval armament management, including roles in torpedo life-cycle management and explosive infrastructure projects. This marks a key transition in naval armament leadership, focusing on continuity in armament procurement and maintenance.

Ashutosh Singh temporarily attached with office of CGA

Ashutosh Singh is temporarily attached with the office of Controller General of Accounts, New Delhi, till March 1 2026 for carrying out specific tasks. He is a 2017 batch ICAS officer.

 Attention turning to Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation!

The Mumbai Mayoral election will take place on February 11 and the nomination process is to begin on February 6. This is hot topic of discussion in administrative circle but attention is also turning to the BMC Commissioner post, with Bhushan Gagrani, the incumbent, set to retire in March. Senior IAS officers including Vikas Shankar Kharage, Ashwini Bhide, Milind Mhaiskar, Sanjeev Jaiswal and Dr Sanjay Mukherjee are emerging as key contenders for the powerful civic role. The leading contenders are seasoned IAS officers with deep administrative and urban governance experience. The next head of the country’s richest Municipal Corporation  will be, no doubt, a senior IAS officer. Gagrani is a 1990-batch IAS officer who served as BMC Municipal Commissioner since March 2024. With his possible superannuation, discussions are intensifying over, who will succeed him as the next Municipal Commissioner. 

Four IAS officers get new responsibilities in W Bengal

Four IAS officers have been given new responsibilities in W Bengal. Dr Krishna Gupta, ACS, Cooperation Department, will also handle charge of ACS, Irrigation and Waterways, while Manish Jain joins as Additional Chief Secretary, Forest Department. Similarly, Binod Kumar, ACS, School Education with additional charges of ACS, Higher Education and State Editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers, will handle the charge of ACS, Mass Education Extension and Library Services Department in addition to his existing duties and Sanjay Bansal. Secretary, Backward Classes Welfare Department, was assigned additional charges of Secretary, Water Resources Investigation & Development Department and Project Director ADMI Project.

K D Dewal accredited as Ambassador to Haiti

Kishan Dan Dewal, presently Ambassador of India to the Dominican Republic, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Haiti with residence in Santo Domingo. He is a 2003 batch IFS officer.

Indian Navy plans for nuclear-powered warships

Ahead of Defence Budget, the Indian Navy plans for nuclear-powered warships and hypersonic missiles, with whispers of K-4 SLBM tests on new SSBNs in Q1 2026.

Vacancy of MD, Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd arises

A vacancy of Managing Director, Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL), a subsidiary of NBCC (India) Limited, has arisen with the expiring term of incumbent T L N Reddy in January. The Government of India is yet to assign an additional charge of the same.

Bikram Ghosh in race for CMD, WCL

Bikram Ghosh, Director (Finance), Western Coalfields Limited is in the race for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).

Om Prakash Mishra in race for CMD, WCL

Om Prakash Mishra, Executive Director Executive Director (Community Development), Coal India Limited, is in the race for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).

Kripa Shankar Singh in race for CMD, WCL

Kripa Shankar Singh, Executive Director Executive Director (Quality Management), Coal India Limited is in the race for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).

Director (Tech), WCL post to fall vacant in July 2026

Post of Director (Technical), Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) will fall vacant on July 1, 2026. Applications for the same post must reach latest by February 19, 2026.

G Parthasarathi relieved from duties in MHA

G Parthasarathi has been relieved of his duties in the Ministry of Home Affairs as Joint Secretary with effect from February 2, 2026.  His services are now placed at the disposal of Department of Personnel & Training, as on 'Compulsory Wait', till he assumes charge of a new post. He is a CSS officer.

Dr Panda empanelled for appointment as IEM

Dr Sanjay Kumar Panda has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is from Bharat Petro Resources Ltd (BPRL).

Shankar & Krishnan empanelled for appointment as IEMs

Bhagwan Shankar and Ramabadran Krishnan have been empanelled for appointment as IEM. Both are from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

A P Tiwari empanelled for appointment as IEM

Archana Pandey Tiwari has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. She is a 1985 batch IRS officer and retired as Principal Director General (Audit) CBIC, M/o Finance.

A K Gupta empanelled for appointment as IEM

Arun Kumar Gupta has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He retired as CMD, Shipping Corp of India.

CGDA to fill 13 Asstt Dir (OL) posts in Defence Ministry

Applications have been invited to fill 13 vacancies of Assistant Director (Official Language) at Defence Accounts Department, Ministry of Defence for Dehradun, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Secunderabad, Bengaluru on deputation basis.  Details can be availed from https://cgda.nic.in/.

Maushumi Rudra promoted to Addl CGDA (HAG+) grade in IDAS

Maushumi Rudra has been promoted to the grade of Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts (HAG+) in Indian Defence Accounts Service. She is a 1992 batch IDAS officer.

DG Shipping seeks three Executive Assistants for Delhi & Mumbai

Directorate General of Shipping has advertised three Executive Assistant posts for Delhi and Mumbai for Secretariat on contractual basis. Applications must reach latest by February 10, 2026.

Principal Portfolio Manager, Credit Strategies for US post advertised

Post of Principal Portfolio Manager, Credit Strategies for Washington, DC, United States has been advertised by World Bank. Applications must reach latest by February 15, 2026.

Rajesh Kumar Singh appointed GGM (C&O), CONCOR

Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is presently posted as Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM), Northern Railway (NR), has been appointed as Group General Manager (C&O) in Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) on immediate absorption basis. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Saurabh Prakash moved to SCR

Saurabh Prakash, who is presently posted in East Coast Railway (ECoR), has been transferred to South Central Railway (SCR) on his own request and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

V Ravi Teja sent to East Coast Railway

V Ravi Teja, who is presently posted in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has been transferred to East Coast Railway (ECoR) on his own request and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

Dr. Abdul Mabood sent to BLW

Dr. Abdul Mabood, who is presently posted in North Eastern Railway (NER), has been transferred to Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) on his own request and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS) officer.

Major reshuffle of IPS officers in UP (UPDATED)

In a major reshuffle, as many as 22 IPS officers have been shifted in UP. Sujeet Pandey has been posted as DGP, Fire and Emergency Services, Headquarters, Lucknow, while K S Emmanuel is now IG/GSO to DGP and Vinod Kumar Singh was made IG, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Police Academy, Moradabad. Similarly, Alok Priyadarshi will be posted as Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP), Varanasi Commissionerate; Praveen Kumar as ADG, Lucknow Zone; Rajkaran Nayyar as ACP, Ghaziabad; Somen Verma as DIG, Ayodhya Range; Sankalp Sharma as Joint Commissioner of Police, Kanpur City; Vipin Tada as Joint Commissioner of Police, Kanpur City; Abhishek Yadav as DIG, ATS Lucknow; Ashish Tiwari as DIG, Technical Services, Lucknow; Pratap  Gopendra Yadav as DIG, UP Police Headquarters, Lucknow; Kunwar Anupam Singh as SP, Jaunpur; Mrs Khyati Garg as SP, Lakhimpur Kheri; Yashveer Singh as SP, Basti; Mrs Charu Nigam as SP, Sultanpur; Abhinandan as SSP, Saharanpur; Dr Kaustubh as SSP, Gorakhpur; Avinash Pandey as SSP, Meerut; Mrs Aparna Rajat Kaushik as SP, Mirzapur; Ravi Kumar as SP, Raebareli; Sukirti Madhav as SP, Pilibhit; Saravanan T as SP, Amethi and Mrs Anukriti Sharma joins as ACP, Gautambuddha Nagar.

CORPORATE

149 CEOs exit India Inc. in 2025

India Inc. saw a rise in CEO exits in 2025, with 149 departures across NSE-listed companies, a trend expected to continue into 2026 due to retirements and restructurings. Nifty-50 companies had eight exits in 2025, mostly due to term expiries.

TCS to cut 12,000 jobs in 2026

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs in FY 2025-26, with impacts extending into 2026, primarily affecting middle and senior management. As of January 2026, TCS has shed 25,816 employees in the first three quarters.

Sanjay Agarwal re-appointed CEO & MD, Century Plyboards (India) Ltd

Sanjay Agarwal has been re-appointed as CEO and Managing Director of Century Plyboards (India) Limited with effect from July 1, 2026.

Ajay Baldawa re-appointed ED (Tech.), Century Plyboards (India) Ltd

Ajay Baldawa has been re-appointed as Executive Director (Technical) of Century Plyboards (India) Limited with effect from July 1, 2026.

Mrs Dhara Shah appointed Ind. Director, Resonance Specialties Ltd

Mrs. Dhara Shah has been appointed as Independent Director of Resonance Specialties Limited.

Michael Discenza appointed NE Director, Timken India Ltd

Michael Discenza has been appointed as Non-Executive Director of Timken India Limited with effect from April 15, 2026.

Dr Shailesh K. Ayyangar re-appointed NE Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Dr. Shailesh Kripalu Ayyangar has been re-appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited with effect from June 2, 2026.

Vijay K. Gokhale re-appointed NE Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Vijay Keshav Gokhale has been re-appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited with effect from April 16, 2026.

Dr Vidya R. Yeravdekar re-appointed NE Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Dr. Vidya Rajiv Yeravdekar has been re-appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited with effect from April 16, 2026.

Ms Jeny Gowadia appointed Addl. Director, Responsive Industries Ltd

Ms. Jeny Gowadia has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Responsive Industries Limited.

Abhinav Banthia appointed Addl. Director, Transcorp International Ltd

Abhinav Banthia has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Transcorp International Limited.

Dipankar Mahapatra appointed Addl. Director, PNB Housing Finance Ltd

Dipankar Mahapatra has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Nominee Director on the Board of PNB Housing Finance Limited.

Anand Kumar re-appointed Ind. Director, Tube Investments of India Ltd

Anand Kumar has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Tube Investments of India Limited.

VS Radhakrishnan re-appointed Ind. Director, Tube Investments of India Ltd

VS Radhakrishnan has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Tube Investments of India Limited.

Nandkumar Patil appointed Addl. Director, Sanmit Infra Ltd

Nandkumar Gorkhnath Patil has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Sanmit Infra Limited.

Shlok Sanjay Makhija quits as CEO, Sanmit Infra Ltd

Shlok Sanjay Makhija has resigned from the position of Chief Executive Officer of Sanmit Infra Limited with effect from December 31, 2025.

MM Rathod bows out as Ind. Director, Sanmit Infra Ltd

Mohan Mallu Rathod has ceased to be Non-Executive Independent Director of Sanmit Infra Limited on completion of his tenure.

Dilip Kumar Jain resigns as NE Nominee Director, PNB Housing Finance Ltd

Dilip Kumar Jain has resigned as Non-Executive Nominee Director from the Board of PNB Housing Finance Limited.

FORUM

Collector’s initiative

Great to see such initiatives, hope they are planned sustainable, planned and regularly checked and maintained with proper feedback monitor system, ground realities and audit will help you to regain proper and true insights of various policies.