Chandigarh: The Haryana government has initiated the process of forcibly retiring IAS officer Rani Nagar, a 2014-batch officer of the Haryana cadre, following her prolonged absence from duty and repeated failure to respond to official notices – including the fourth and final notice sent by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The state has formally recommended her termination to the Union Ministry of Personnel and Training, citing dereliction of duty and continued non-compliance with administrative procedures.
No Response Despite Four Official Notices
According to senior state officials, Chief Secretary’s Office had issued multiple notices to Rani Nagar, with the most recent and final one seeking an explanation for her continued absence. However, Nagar failed to respond, prompting the state to recommend her compulsory retirement under service rules.
Officials confirmed that no further opportunity would be extended, as her behavior has been deemed “persistently non-cooperative” and detrimental to public service ethics.
Last Posted in 2020, Missing from Duty Since Then
Ms Nagar was last appointed as Additional Secretary and Director in the Archives Department on March 11, 2020, and reportedly served only until October 27, 2020. Since then, she has remained absent without sanctioned leave, despite multiple communications from the government.
During her absence, the state government refused to extend leave, issued a chargesheet, and even directed a medical examination through PGIMS Rohtak, which she refused to undergo.
Previous Controversies and Personal Disputes
Ms Nagar has been at the center of several controversies in the past. During the COVID-19 period, she publicly announced her intention to resign, citing mental stress and safety concerns. She had also made serious allegations against a senior IAS officer, and later filed a police complaint in Ghaziabad accusing her brother of grabbing property worth ₹1.25 crore.
Though she briefly appeared at the Haryana Chief Secretariat – reportedly sitting without assignment on the fourth floor – the Chief Secretary eventually issued orders barring her from entering without authorization.
Centre Awaits Final Decision
With the UPSC’s fourth and final notice also drawing no response, the Central Government has now been informed of the situation by the Haryana government. Sources suggest that her termination from service appears imminent, unless the Centre intervenes with fresh directions.
Officials stress that IAS Nagar’s case, though unusual, falls squarely under provisions that allow for compulsory retirement in cases of continued unauthorized absence and administrative non-cooperation.
