New Delhi: In a significant senior-level administrative development, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has implemented a dual-action reshuffle in the Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS), involving the transfer of three senior officers and the regularisation of promotions for two others into the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG).
Major Transfers at HAG‑III Level
The three ITS officers transferred, all serving at the HAG‑III level, are being strategically placed to enhance policy execution, field-level service delivery, and enforcement capabilities-
- Abbas Sayed Tausif → Transferred to Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) — a move focused on strengthening regulatory enforcement and technical standardisation.
- Mukesh Kumar Chauhan → Assigned to Rajasthan Licensed Service Area (LSA) — aimed at boosting regional service management and telecom governance.
- Jayant Kumar → Shifted to the Planning & Grants (PG) Wing, DoT HQ — aligning with infrastructure development and national telecom policy planning.
This transfer decision reflects DoT’s broader strategy of deploying experienced officers across critical domains to ensure balanced and efficient functioning of India’s telecom ecosystem.
HAG Promotions Regularised: Suresh Puri & Atul Sharma
In parallel, DoT regularised the HAG-grade promotions of senior ITS officers Suresh Puri and Atul Sharma, who were previously serving in an ad-hoc capacity. This formalisation ensures they are entitled to all pay scales, benefits, and official responsibilities associated with the HAG position.
HAG positions in the ITS cadre are reserved for top-level leadership roles, often heading strategic divisions related to telecom policy, enforcement, or digital infrastructure development.
Why This Matters
Leadership Stability: Regularising ad-hoc promotions ensures continuity and stability in the telecom leadership landscape.
Strategic Cadre Deployment: The reshuffle indicates DoT’s focus on multi-functional exposure, preparing officers for evolving challenges in 5G, spectrum management, and digital inclusion.
Policy & Field Synergy: By integrating headquarters roles with state and technical divisions, the ministry aims to foster collaboration across all telecom verticals.
About ITS & HAG Grade
The Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) is a Group ‘A’ Central Service under DoT, tasked with managing India’s telecom infrastructure, policy, and regulation.
The Higher Administrative Grade (HAG), especially HAG‑III, is among the highest levels of civil service, generally occupied by those entrusted with national-level responsibilities or large project leadership.
