New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the inter-cadre deputation of Hephsiba Rani Korlapati (IAS:2011:KN) from the Karnataka cadre to the Andhra Pradesh cadre for a period of three years. In a separate personnel decision, the Centre has also approved the premature repatriation of Rina Sonowal Kouli (IInfoS:1994), Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, to her parent cadre to enable her to avail promotion.
The two decisions, notified through separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), are part of the Centre’s latest administrative appointments and cadre management exercise.
Hephsiba Rani to Serve in Andhra Pradesh for Three Years
According to the ACC order, Hephsiba Rani Korlapati has been granted inter-cadre deputation from the Karnataka cadre to the Andhra Pradesh cadre for a period of three years.
A 2011-batch IAS officer, Hephsiba Rani is currently serving as Additional Secretary to the Government in Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Department, a position she has held since January 1, 2024.
Widely regarded as an efficient administrator, she secured All India Rank (AIR) 20 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination and has served in a wide range of administrative assignments across Karnataka over the past decade.
Rich Administrative Experience Across Karnataka
During her career, Ms Rani has held several key positions spanning district administration, urban governance and infrastructure development.
Her notable assignments include:
- Assistant Commissioner, Basavakalyan
- Commissioner, Mangaluru City Corporation
- Managing Director, Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Limited
- Deputy Commissioner, Udupi District
- Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Karnataka Government
- Managing Director, Special Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Municipal Commissioner in various departments
She earned national recognition when Bengaluru won the India Smart Cities Awards Contest 2020 Innovation Award in the COVID Innovation category, a distinction achieved during her administrative tenure.
Academic Background and Personal Profile
Born on January 17, 1987, Ms Rani hails from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
She possesses a strong academic background, holding:
- B.A. in History from Osmania University
- M.A. in Geography from the University of Delhi
- M.A. in Public Policy
She is proficient in English, Telugu and Kannada.
Hephsiba Rani is married to Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh (IAS:2008). The couple drew public attention for opting for a simple civil marriage at a sub-registrar’s office in Hubballi in February 2019.
Her move to Andhra Pradesh is expected to strengthen administrative cooperation between the two neighbouring states while bringing her extensive governance experience to her home state.
Rina Sonowal Kouli Repatriated to Parent Cadre
In another significant order, the DoPT approved the premature repatriation of Rina Sonowal Kouli (Indian Information Service:1994) from the Department of Higher Education to her parent cadre.
The order states that the proposal of the Department of Higher Education has been approved to facilitate her promotion in the parent cadre.
Rina Sonowal Kouli has been serving as Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education since January 2023. She was originally appointed for a five-year tenure ending in January 2028. However, her deputation has now been curtailed to enable her to assume a higher responsibility following her promotion.
Set to Lead Doordarshan
The premature repatriation comes shortly after Rina Sonowal Kouli was empanelled by the Departmental Promotion Committee for Selection Grade promotion.
Following the promotion, she has been appointed as the Director General of Doordarshan, becoming the first Assamese officer to head India’s public broadcaster at the Director General level.
She is expected to assume charge from August 1, 2026.
Distinguished Career in the Indian Information Service
A 1994-batch Indian Information Service officer, Ms Kouli has served in several important positions in the Government of India.
Between December 2022 and July 2026, she served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Educationunder the Ministry of Education, overseeing key policy and administrative matters related to higher education.
Her elevation to Director General marks a significant milestone both in her career and for representation from the Northeast in India’s public broadcasting system.
Roots in Assam
Ms Kouli hails from Guwahati, Assam, and comes from a distinguished family.
She is the daughter of Suniti Sonowal and the late Inspector General of Police Deben Sonowal. Her grandfather, Sitanath Brahmachoudhury, was a noted Assamese writer and former president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha.
She pursued part of her higher education at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong before joining the Indian Information Service.
Latest Personnel Decisions
The latest orders reflect the Centre’s continuing efforts to streamline cadre management and senior-level appointments.
While Hephsiba Rani’s deputation enables an experienced IAS officer to serve in Andhra Pradesh, Rina Sonowal Kouli’s repatriation paves the way for her elevation as Director General of Doordarshan, marking another significant appointment in the Union government’s senior administrative setup.
