RJD focuses on double ‘M’ in Bihar polls
As the Bihar assembly elections approach, the NDA is actively strengthening its grassroots presence to reach every voter segment. Meanwhile, the RJD, leading the opposition’s grand alliance, is honing its strategy around the “double M” — Mahila (women) and Muslim voters. Party strategists are reportedly working on a focused campaign to attract these groups, portraying CM Nitish Kumar as unsupportive of women’s interests. This narrative is being advanced through posters and discussions at public forums, aiming to sway perceptions and mobilize key voter blocs. The RJD sees this targeted approach as vital to gaining an edge in what is expected to be a closely contested electoral battle.
Army officers who gain wide currency on social media
In the mid of a short full-scale war between India and Pakistan, four officers of both forces: Aurangzeb Ahmed, Air Vice Marshal, Pakistan; Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, India; Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of ISPR, Pakistan and Vyomika Singh, Wing Commander, India gained wide currency on social media with the people seeking their backgrounds after they briefed the media on behalf their countries.
BUREAUCRACY
Will LIC CMD Mohanty get extension?
Siddharth Mohanty, MD and CEO, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is likely to get one year extension. His term is going to end on June 7.
Dr Ajay Kumar is new Chairperson, UPSC
Dr Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary, has been appointed as Chairperson, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He is a 1985 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
Who could be the new DGP, UP?
Power galleries of Lucknow and Delhi are abuzz about the future DGP of UP. Some said that the new DGP could be from the 1990 batch while another source maintains that this time the 1991 batch IPS officer may be given the command of UP Police. However, Asish Gupta is the senior most police officer. 1989 batch IPS officer is posted as DG, Rules and manual. He is scheduled to retire in December 2026.
Several 1990 batch IPS officers are in queue for DGP, UP
In UP, several 1990 batch IPS officers are in the queue who could be considered for the post of DGP, UP. They are: Sandeep Salunkhe, Daljeet Singh Chawdhary, Enuka Mishra, Bijaya Kr Maurya, Manmoham Kr Bashal and Tilotama Verma. Maurya will retire in July while Chawdhary and Ms Verma will superannuate in November this year.
Tenure of Prof Karandikar as Secretary, Science & Technology extended
The tenure of Prof. Abhay Karandikar as Secretary, Department of Science and Technology has been extended for a period of one year with effect from July 1, 2025.
Ashish Vachhani appointed as Additional Secretary, PMO
Ashish Vachhani, Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs, has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He is a 1997 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
M S Srikar appointed as Additional Secretary, PMO
M S Srikar, Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.
ACC approves appointment of Dinesh Pant as MD, LIC
Dinesh Pant has been appointed as Managing Director, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with effect from June 1, 2025. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved his appointment to the post.
ACC approves appointment of Ratnakar Patnaik as MD, LIC
Ratnakar Patnaik has been appointed as Managing Director, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with effect from June 1, 2025. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved his appointment to the post.
Central deputation tenure of Sanjay Garg extended
The central deputation tenure of Sanjay Garg working as Additional Secretary, Agriculture Research & Education and Secretary, Indian Council of Agriculture Research has been extended upto August 24, 2026. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
Tenure of Niraj Kumar Gayagi as Joint Secretary, Justice extended
The central deputation tenure of Niraj Kumar Gayagi working as Joint Secretary, Department of Justice has been extended upto April 6, 2026. He is a 1997 batch IDAS officer.
Tenure of Kumar Ravi Kant Singh as Joint Secretary, Military Affairs extended
The central deputation tenure of Kumar Ravi Kant Singh working as Joint Secretary, Department of Military Affairs has been extended for a period of two years beyond June 1, 2025. He is a 2008 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.
Central deputation tenure of Gurjeet Singh Dhillon extended
The central deputation tenure of Gurjeet Singh Dhillon working as Director in the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has been extended upto March 25, 2026. He is a 2002 batch IOFS officer.
Rajesh Aggarwal is also Secretary, Minority Affairs
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) has been assigned an additional charge of Secretary, Minority Affairs till May 23, 2025. He is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.
Only two officers found eligible promotion as ADG
According to sources, only two IIS officers were found eligible to be promoted as ADG, in recently held a DPC. It is said that in all 9 officers were considered for the promotion.
CBI likely to get new CIO this week
If sources are to be believed, CBI is likely to get a new Chief Information Officer (CIO) this week. The post has been lying vacant since May 1
Abhijit Roy posted as Controller of Accounts, Labour & Employment
Abhijit Roy is posted as Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, New Delhi. He is a 2000 batch ICAS officer.
Two ICAS officers get new responsibilities
Two ICAS officers have been given new responsibilities. Raut Manish Mahendra has been posted as Controller of Accounts,, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, while Amit Malhan takes over as Financial Controller, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Ministry of Tourism, New Delhi.
Sanjay Pandey appointed as Joint CGA, Office of CGA
Sanjay Pandey has been appointed as Joint Controller General of Accounts, Office of Controller General of Accounts. He is a 1994 batch ICAS officer.
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