Bhubaneswar: IAS officer Dhiman Chakma has rejoined government service and assumed charge as Deputy Secretary in Odisha’s Revenue Department after a period of suspension that followed his arrest in a high-profile bribery case.
The 2021-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Odisha cadre officially resumed his duties after being appointed to the post through a government order issued on May 21, 2026.
His return to service comes nearly a year after a Vigilance investigation led to his arrest on allegations of accepting a bribe while serving as Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district.
Rejoins Service After Suspension
Mr Chakma was placed under suspension following his arrest by the Odisha Vigilance Directorate in June 2025. The case had attracted widespread public attention due to his young age, rapid rise in the civil services, and the nature of the allegations.
Following administrative review and subsequent government orders, Chakma has now been posted as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue Department and has formally taken charge of the position.
The appointment marks his return to active government service while legal proceedings related to the vigilance case continue through the judicial process.
The Bribery Case That Led to Suspension
According to Odisha Vigilance officials, Mr Chakma was serving as Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh when he was allegedly caught accepting a cash bribe of ₹10 lakh from a businessman associated with a stone crusher unit.
Investigators alleged that the amount was part of a larger demand and was linked to administrative actions concerning the businessman’s operations.
During the trap operation, vigilance teams reportedly recovered cash from the officer’s possession and conducted chemical examinations that allegedly confirmed contact with the currency notes.
Subsequent searches at his official residence led to the recovery of approximately ₹47 lakh in cash, officials had stated at the time.
The Odisha Vigilance Directorate registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
Arrest, Suspension and Bail
Following his arrest on June 8, 2025, Chakma was produced before the Vigilance Court and later placed under suspension by the Odisha government on June 10, 2025.
He subsequently spent several weeks in judicial custody before obtaining conditional bail from the Orissa High Court in July 2025.
The vigilance investigation and related legal proceedings remain subject to the judicial process.
Who is IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma?
37 year old Mr Chakma belongs to the 2021 batch of the Indian Administrative Service and was allotted the Odisha cadre.
Humble Beginnings in Tripura
Born on November 15, 1989, in Kanchanpur in North Tripura district, Chakma comes from a modest family background. His father worked as a school teacher, while his mother is a homemaker.
His journey from a remote town in Tripura to the Indian Administrative Service has often been cited as an example of determination and academic achievement.
Education at NIT Agartala
Chakma completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala.
Before entering the IAS, he successfully cleared the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination twice.
Cracked UPSC Twice
In 2019, Chakma cleared the UPSC examination and joined the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
Determined to enter the Indian Administrative Service, he appeared again in 2020 and improved his performance significantly, securing an All India Rank of 482, which earned him selection to the IAS and allotment to the Odisha cadre.
His achievement brought recognition to his hometown, where he became one of the first individuals from the region to enter the IAS.
Administrative Career
After completing training, Chakma served in various administrative assignments in Odisha.
His most prominent field posting was as Sub-Collector of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district, where he handled revenue administration, development programmes, and regulatory functions.
Prior to the vigilance case, he had also briefly served as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the General Administration and Public Grievance Department.
Public Debate on Governance and Accountability
The bribery allegations against a relatively young IAS officer sparked extensive public discussion regarding integrity, accountability, and ethics within public administration.
The case drew significant attention on social media and public forums, with many observers expressing concern about corruption allegations involving officers early in their careers.
At the same time, governance experts have noted that such cases underscore the importance of strong vigilance mechanisms, transparent administrative systems, and institutional accountability across public services.
Conclusion
The return of IAS officer Dhiman Chakma to government service as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue Department marks a significant administrative development in Odisha. While he has resumed official duties following his suspension, the vigilance case that led to his arrest remains part of the ongoing legal process. The case continues to attract attention due to Chakma’s once-celebrated rise through the UPSC ranks and the broader questions it raised about accountability in public administration.
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