New Delhi: The Union government has approved extensions involving three senior officers serving in key central government departments. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the continuation of Indian Forest Service officer Sunil Kumar in the Department of Science and Technology, IAS officer Amandeep Garg as additional-charge Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and Indian Audit and Accounts Service officer Manoj Sahay in the Department of Expenditure.
According to separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the decisions involve extensions of central deputation tenures, continuation of additional responsibilities and temporary upgradation of posts.
While Sunil Kumar’s deputation has been extended until June 21, 2027, Manoj Sahay’s tenure has been extended up to September 30, 2027, subject to his superannuation. Amandeep Garg will continue holding additional charge as CPCB Chairman until a regular appointment is made or further orders are issued.
Sunil Kumar Gets Extension as Addl Secretary, Department of Science & Technology
Sunil Kumar, a 1995-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the Punjab cadre, has received an extension in his central deputation tenure as Additional Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology.
According to the DoPT order dated October 21, 2026, the ACC has approved the extension of his deputation until June 21, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The approval also provides for the continuation of the temporary upgradation of the post, allowing Kumar to remain in his present position at the Additional Secretary level.
Serving in Department of Science and Technology Since June 2020
Sunil Kumar has been associated with the Department of Science and Technology for more than six years.
He initially assumed charge as Joint Secretary on June 21, 2020, under the Central Staffing Scheme, with a deputation tenure of five years.
In January 2024, he was granted an in-situ upgradation to the post of Additional Secretary, enabling him to continue in the same department at a higher administrative level.
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An in-situ upgradation allows an officer to hold a higher-level position without necessarily changing the location or substantive responsibilities of the assignment.
The latest ACC decision extends his central deputation beyond the earlier tenure and provides continuity in the department until June 21, 2027, unless further orders are issued before that date.
Amandeep Garg to Continue as CPCB Chairman on Additional Charge
In another decision, the ACC has approved the extension of additional charge held by Amandeep Garg, a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, as Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board.
Garg is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
According to the DoPT order issued on October 21, 2026, the ACC has approved the continuation of his additional charge as CPCB Chairman beyond October 8, 2026.
He will continue in the position until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Holding CPCB Chairman’s Additional Charge Since January 2025
Amandeep Garg has been holding the additional charge of Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board since January 2025.
The latest extension allows him to continue overseeing the statutory pollution control body’s leadership responsibilities alongside his regular assignment as Additional Secretary in the Environment Ministry.
The CPCB functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and plays an important role in the prevention and control of pollution in India.
Its responsibilities include monitoring environmental quality, coordinating with State Pollution Control Boards, providing technical guidance and supporting the implementation of pollution control laws.
The ACC’s decision provides for Garg’s continuation in the position while the appointment of a regular Chairman remains pending.
Unlike the extensions granted to Sunil Kumar and Manoj Sahay, Garg’s additional-charge arrangement does not specify a fixed calendar end date. It will remain effective until a regular incumbent is appointed or the government issues further orders.
Manoj Sahay Gets Extension as Addl Secretary & Financial Adviser in Finance Ministry
The ACC has also approved an extension in the central deputation tenure of Manoj Sahay, a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS).
Sahay is currently serving as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance.
According to the DoPT order dated October 21, 2026, his central deputation tenure has been extended up to September 30, 2027.
His existing tenure was scheduled to end on January 29, 2027. The latest decision allows him to continue beyond that date, subject to the terms specified in the order.
Sahay will remain in the position until September 30, 2027, or his superannuation, whichever occurs earlier.
ACC Approves Extension of Temporarily Upgraded Post
Along with Sahay’s deputation extension, the ACC has approved the continuation of the temporary upgradation of the post of Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser to the level of Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Expenditure.
The upgraded position, currently held by Sahay, was earlier approved up to January 29, 2027.
Under the latest decision, the temporary upgradation will continue beyond January 29, 2027, until August 9, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
This arrangement will allow the position to continue operating at the Additional Secretary level during the approved period.
Vacant Joint Secretary-Level Post to Be Upgraded from August 10
The ACC has also approved a separate administrative arrangement to ensure continuity in the Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser position after August 9, 2027.
According to the order, a vacant Joint Secretary-level post within the overall strength under the Central Staffing Scheme will be temporarily upgraded and operated at the level of Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Expenditure.
This arrangement will remain effective from August 10, 2027, to September 30, 2027.
The decision provides for the continued operation of the upgraded position during the remaining period of Sahay’s approved tenure, subject to the conditions specified in the order.
The two-stage arrangement covers the extension of the existing upgraded post until August 9, followed by the temporary upgradation of a vacant Joint Secretary-level post from August 10 until September 30, 2027.
Extensions Cover Three Important Central Government Departments
The three ACC decisions concern officers serving in different areas of central administration.
Sunil Kumar’s extension relates to his central deputation as Additional Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology, where he has been serving since June 2020.
Amandeep Garg’s extension concerns the additional charge of Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board, which he holds alongside his regular position in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Manoj Sahay’s extension relates to his position as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. His continuation also involves specific arrangements for the temporary upgradation of posts under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The orders provide for the continuation of all three officers in their respective assignments under the conditions approved by the ACC.
