In a rare and fascinating bureaucratic development, the Bihar government has posted an IAS couple as District Magistrates of two neighbouring districts, creating what many in administrative circles are calling a unique “power couple” moment in governance.
2016-batch IAS officer Alankrita Pandey has been appointed the new District Magistrate of Bhagalpur, while her husband and batchmate Anshul Agarwal has been posted as the District Magistrate of neighbouring Banka.
The unusual posting has drawn significant attention, as both districts fall under the Bhagalpur division, making coordination between the two administrators both unique and strategically significant.
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A Rare Husband-Wife Administrative Setup
Bhagalpur and Banka are adjoining districts in Bihar’s Ang region and share close administrative and developmental linkages.
With husband and wife now leading the two districts, officials believe the arrangement could improve inter-district coordination in areas such as law and order, infrastructure planning and regional development.
Such postings of an IAS couple as DMs of neighbouring districts remain rare in Indian bureaucracy.
Anshul Agarwal: IIT Bombay Graduate, Former Buxar DM
Anshul Agarwal, originally from Kota, Rajasthan, is an engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where he studied Civil Engineering.
Before joining the civil services, he worked briefly in the private sector before cracking the UPSC and joining the IAS in the 2016 batch.
Prior to his posting in Banka, he was serving as Inspector General of Registration and Excise Commissioner in Patna.
He has earlier served as District Magistrate of Buxar and is known for his balanced administrative and technical approach.
Alankrita Pandey: First-Attempt UPSC Success Story
Alankrita Pandey, who hails from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, holds a B.Tech in Software Engineering from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj.
She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt in 2015, securing an impressive All India Rank of 85.
Initially allotted the West Bengal cadre, she later moved to the Bihar cadre through an inter-cadre transfer after her marriage to Anshul Agarwal.
Before being posted to Bhagalpur, she served as District Magistrate of Jehanabad.
Known for Field-Oriented Governance
During her tenure in Jehanabad, Alankrita built a strong reputation for direct public engagement, anti-encroachment drives, traffic management and close monitoring of welfare schemes.
Her on-ground governance style and quick decision-making earned her recognition within the state administration.
In Bhagalpur, she is expected to focus on urban development, smart city projects, Ganga riverfront management and accelerating infrastructure works in the Silk City.
Administrative Buzz Across Bihar
The posting of this IAS couple has sparked widespread discussion across Bihar’s administrative and political circles.
Both officers are known for their technical education, strong service records and efficient governance styles.
Their simultaneous appointment to neighbouring districts is being viewed as an interesting administrative experiment—one that could shape the governance dynamics of the Bhagalpur division in the months ahead.
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