IRPFS Harish Singh Papola Appointed OSD to Communications Minister; IAS Vinay Kumar Repatriated to Bihar

New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved key administrative moves in the Ministry of Communications and other central services. Harish Singh Papola (IRPFS: 2015) has been appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, while senior IAS officer Vinay Kumar (IAS: 1999: BH) has been repatriated prematurely to his parent cadre, Bihar.

Harish Singh Papola Appointed OSD

• Officer: Harish Singh Papola, an Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) officer of 2015 batch
• Position: Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister for Communications and DoNER
• Level: Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications
• Tenure: Effective from assumption of charge up to 10 October 2028 (maximum permissible tenure of seven years away from parent cadre)
• Terms: Tenure will be co-terminus with the Minister, or until further orders

The appointment aims to strengthen administrative support to the Minister, ensuring smooth coordination and policy implementation in Communications and North Eastern Region Development.

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Vinay Kumar Repatriated to Bihar

• Officer: Vinay Kumar, an IAS officer of 1999 batch from bihar cadre
• Current Post: Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
• Previous Tenure: Scheduled until November 2028
• Reason for Repatriation: Request by the Bihar government with an extended cooling-off period

Vinay Kumar, empanelled for Additional Secretary-level posts in December 2024, had been serving in MoRTH since November 2023. His central deputation has been curtailed before completion to allow him to return to his parent cadre.

Significance of the Appointments

Harish Singh Papola’s posting as OSD ensures administrative efficiency at a ministerial level in two crucial areas: Communications and DoNER.

Vinay Kumar’s repatriation reflects cooperation between the central and state governments to meet cadre requirements while maintaining the integrity of central deputation norms.

These developments highlight the dynamic nature of central postings and the ACC’s role in facilitating effective governance and cadre management.

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