New Delhi: In a key administrative decision, the Centre has approved the extension of the central deputation tenure of two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers serving as Directors of Census Operations (DCO) and Directors of Citizen Registration (DCR) in different states. The extensions have been cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) following proposals from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The approvals were conveyed through orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Nirupama J Dange’s Tenure Extended in Maharashtra
The central deputation tenure of Nirupama J Dange (IAS:2007: Maharashtra) as Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR), Maharashtra has been extended.
According to the DoPT order, the ACC has approved the MHA’s proposal to extend her deputation for an overall tenure of five years, allowing her to continue in the post up to December 12, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Nirupama J Dange has been serving as DCO and DCR, Maharashtra since December 12, 2022. Her deputation tenure was earlier scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2025, but the extension will now enable her to complete the full admissible five-year term on central deputation.
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Pooja Pandey’s Deputation Extended for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya
In a separate order, the Centre has also extended the central deputation tenure of Pooja Pandey (IAS:2008: AGMUT) as Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR) for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
As per the DoPT notification, the ACC approved the extension of her deputation for a total tenure of five years, allowing her to continue in the post up to March 16, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Pooja Pandey has been serving in the dual role of DCO and DCR for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya since March 16, 2022. Similar to Dange, her earlier tenure was set to end on December 31, 2025, but the extension ensures completion of the full five-year term under central deputation norms.
Importance of DCO and DCR Roles
The posts of Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration are critical for:
- Conducting and supervising census-related activities
- Implementing the Civil Registration System (CRS)
- Managing population data, birth and death registration
- Supporting policy planning and governance
Extensions in these roles are generally aimed at ensuring continuity, institutional memory, and administrative stability, particularly during key phases of census preparation and citizen registration activities.
Continuity in Census and Registration Administration
The extension of tenures for both officers reflects the Centre’s emphasis on maintaining experienced leadership in sensitive and technically demanding assignments under the Ministry of Home Affairs. By allowing both officers to complete their full five-year deputation terms, the government seeks to ensure smooth functioning and uninterrupted progress in census and citizen registration operations across the concerned states.
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