New Delhi: The Central Government has approved the appointment of two senior officers under the Central Staffing Scheme, assigning them important administrative responsibilities in ministries and departments based in New Delhi.
Rahul Kumar, a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre, has been appointed Director in the Ministry of Minority Affairs for a period of five years. In a separate order, Rahul Singh, a 2013-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been selected for appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution for a period of four years.
Both appointments have been approved by the competent authority and will take effect from the dates the respective officers assume charge, subject to the tenure conditions specified in their appointment orders.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has also instructed that the officers be relieved immediately from their existing responsibilities to enable them to join their new assignments.
IAS Rahul Kumar Appointed Director in Ministry of Minority Affairs
The competent authority has approved the appointment of Mr Rahul Kumar, IAS (BH:2011), as Director in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, New Delhi, under the Central Staffing Scheme.
According to the appointment order, his tenure will be five years from the date he takes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The concerned authorities have been requested to relieve him of his present duties immediately and instruct him to join his new assignment in Delhi.
His appointment will bring an experienced Bihar cadre officer with a background in district administration, rural development, livelihood programmes and power-sector management to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Who Is IAS Rahul Kumar?
Mr Kumar is a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to the Bihar cadre.
He entered the IAS through direct recruitment after qualifying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Born on June 3, 1987, he hails from East Champaran district in Bihar.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi, and a postgraduate qualification in Hindi.
During his administrative career, he has held several significant assignments in the Bihar government, including District Magistrate, Managing Director of a power distribution company and senior positions in rural development and livelihood programmes.
Before his latest central appointment, he was serving as Managing Director of North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL), Patna.
He assumed this responsibility on June 2, 2025.
Rahul Kumar’s Career: From District Administration to Power Distribution
Mr Kumar has served in several districts of Bihar as District Magistrate and Collector.
His major district-level assignments include Gopalganj, Begusarai and Purnia.
He took charge as the 122nd District Magistrate of Purnia in 2019.
His tenure in Gopalganj was among his longest district-level assignments, extending for approximately four years.
As District Magistrate, his responsibilities included law and order, development administration, implementation of welfare schemes and coordination of government departments.
He has also handled electoral responsibilities, including the administration of Lok Sabha, Assembly, Legislative Council and local body elections.
These assignments provided him with experience in field administration, public service delivery and coordination across multiple government agencies.
Experience in Jeevika, Rural Development and Environmental Initiatives
Apart from district administration, Mr Kumar has held important responsibilities in Bihar’s rural development sector.
He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), widely known through its Jeevika programme.
Jeevika is a major rural livelihood and women’s empowerment initiative that supports self-help groups, financial inclusion and economic opportunities for rural households.
Mr Kumar has also been associated with senior responsibilities in the Rural Development Department.
His other assignments include Mission Director of the Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan and Managing Director of the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission.
These roles involved the implementation and supervision of programmes relating to sanitation, rural development, environmental conservation and public welfare.
His administrative experience spans several sectors, including rural livelihoods, public infrastructure, development schemes and electricity distribution.
IFS Rahul Singh Appointed Deputy Secretary in Food and Public Distribution Department
In another appointment under the Central Staffing Scheme, Mr Rahul Singh, IFS (AGMUT:2013), has been selected as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution, New Delhi.
He was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
According to the order, his appointment will be for four years from the date he assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The authorities concerned have been requested to relieve him immediately and direct him to join the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
The department functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and handles important responsibilities relating to foodgrain management, food security and the public distribution system.
Who Is IFoS Rahul Singh?
Rahul Singh is a 2013-batch Indian Forest Service officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre.
He entered the Indian Forest Service through direct recruitment and holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree.
His service profile identifies him as an officer in the Selection Grade, Pay Level 13, before his latest central appointment.
He has served in administrative and field-level positions in territories covered by the AGMUT cadre.
His career has included responsibilities extending beyond conventional forest administration, reflecting the varied assignments undertaken by officers serving in the joint cadre.
Rahul Singh’s Career and Amarnath Shrine Board Assignment
One of Mr Singh’s significant administrative assignments was with the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was appointed Additional Chief Executive Officer of the board on October 16, 2021.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is responsible for the management and administration of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, including coordination of facilities and arrangements for pilgrims.
The Additional CEO’s position involves administrative and operational coordination in support of the board’s responsibilities.
Mr Singh’s service in the assignment added experience in institutional administration and coordination involving multiple agencies.
His appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution marks a new central administrative responsibility.
Both Officers Directed to Join Within Three Weeks
The appointment orders also reiterate the joining requirements applicable under the Central Staffing Scheme.
As per the directions of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), conveyed through DoPT Circular No. 3/4/2004-EO(MM-I), dated August 17, 2005, an officer selected for a central appointment is required to join the assigned post within three weeks from the date of issuance of the DoPT appointment order.
Failure to join within the prescribed period may lead to initiation of the debarment process under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Accordingly, the authorities concerned have been asked to relieve both Rahul Kumar and Rahul Singh immediately so that they can take up their new assignments within the stipulated period.
Central Staffing Scheme Appointments Strengthen Administrative Positions
The Central Staffing Scheme enables eligible officers from the All India Services and other participating services to serve in ministries and departments of the Government of India on deputation.
The latest appointments bring two officers with different administrative backgrounds into central government positions.
IAS Rahul Kumar will serve as Director in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, drawing on his experience in district administration, rural development and public-sector management.
IFoS Rahul Singh will serve as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution, bringing experience from his assignments in the AGMUT cadre.
Their respective appointments will become effective upon assumption of charge and will remain subject to the conditions laid down in the official orders.
