New Delhi: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday issued a series of appointment notifications approving key postings of three officers from the IAS and Indian Railway services to important positions in the Union government. The appointments include a director-level posting in the housing ministry, a private secretary role in a cabinet minister’s office, and a director-level deputation in the renewable energy ministry.
The appointments are part of the Centre’s ongoing administrative reshuffle under the central staffing scheme and involve officers of the 2012 batch from different cadres and services.
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Surabhi Malik Appointed Director in Housing Ministry
Surabhi Malik, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
According to the official notification, her appointment has been approved for a period of five years under the central staffing scheme from the date she assumes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is one of the key ministries of the Union government and handles major national programmes linked to:
- urban development
- smart cities
- metro rail expansion
- housing for all
- municipal reforms
Her appointment comes at a time when several flagship urban infrastructure programmes are entering crucial implementation stages.
Fating Rahul Haridas Appointed Private Secretary to Union Minister
Fating Rahul Haridas, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as Private Secretary to Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
He will serve in the office of the Union Minister handling:
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj
- Fisheries
- Animal Husbandry
- Dairying
This position places him in a strategic administrative role in ministerial coordination, policy execution, inter-ministerial communication and parliamentary work.
The office of the Private Secretary plays a critical role in:
- managing official schedules
- coordinating with ministries and states
- reviewing policy files
- assisting ministerial decision-making
Given the wide rural development and agriculture-linked mandate of these ministries, the assignment carries substantial administrative importance.
Ishoo Ratna Srivastav Appointed Director in Renewable Energy Ministry
Ishoo Ratna Srivastav, a 2012-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has been selected for appointment as Director in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
He was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways.
According to the DoPT order issued earlier this week, the competent authority has approved his appointment for five years under the central staffing scheme, effective from the date he assumes charge.
Railways Background Before Central Deputation
Before this appointment, Ishoo Ratna Srivastav served within the railway administrative structure and belongs to the Indian Railway mechanical services cadre, which is known for handling:
- rolling stock systems
- locomotive engineering
- rail workshop operations
- mechanical modernization
His technical background is expected to support policy implementation in renewable energy sectors where engineering and infrastructure coordination remain central.
Appointments Under Central Staffing Scheme
All three appointments have been cleared under the central staffing scheme, through which officers from various services and cadres are deputed to the Union government for fixed tenures.
The scheme allows the Centre to deploy experienced officers from:
- IAS
- IPS
- IRS
- Railway services
- other Group A services
into policy-sensitive ministries and departments.
Tenure under such appointments usually runs for:
- five years
- or until further orders
- whichever is earlier
