The Government of India has appointed Deep Shikha Sharma, a 2011-batch officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) from the AGMUT cadre, as the new Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR) for Himachal Pradesh. The appointment was officially announced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on June 2, 2025.
Tenure Until December 2025 or Further Orders
As per the official communication, Sharma’s tenure as DCO and DCR will be effective until December 31, 2025, or until further orders – whichever comes earlier. The order was conveyed to the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, directing that the officer be relieved immediately to take up her new responsibilities without delay.
ACC Guidelines on Timely Joining Apply
The appointment has been approved by the Competent Authority, following the norms set by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). In line with the ACC’s directive, the officer must assume charge within three weeks from the issuance of the order. Any delay beyond this period may result in action under the Central Staffing Scheme, including possible debarment.
Strategic Role in Upcoming Census Preparations
Deep Shikha Sharma’s new role comes at a crucial time, as preparations for the long-awaited Census of India are expected to resume following pandemic-induced delays. The DCO and DCR are responsible for coordinating the collection and verification of demographic and citizenship data, which is essential for policy planning, resource allocation, and social welfare programs.
This marks an important career milestone for Sharma, who has served in various administrative capacities under the AGMUT cadre, which spans Union Territories and select northeastern states.
