New Delhi: The Centre has approved the appointment of Rajarshi Mitra, a 2012-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the West Bengal cadre, as Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration in West Bengal under the Central Staffing Scheme.
According to the appointment details provided, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the order on October 11, 2026. Mitra’s tenure will be three years from the date he assumes charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The West Bengal Government has been asked to relieve him of his current responsibilities so that he can take up the new assignment.
Who Is IAS Officer Rajarshi Mitra?
Rajarshi Mitra is a 2012-batch IAS officer belonging to the West Bengal cadre. He entered the civil services through direct recruitment after clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.
Born on November 24, 1983, Mitra has held administrative responsibilities in district governance, municipal administration, state government departments and development programmes. His career has included postings as District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Municipal Commissioner and Joint Secretary.
Before joining the civil services, Mitra worked as an assistant professor. His transition from academia to public administration marked a shift towards a career in governance and public service.
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Education: English Graduate From Calcutta University
Mitra pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in English from the University of Calcutta and subsequently completed a Master of Arts in English from Jadavpur University.
His academic background in literature preceded his entry into the IAS, after which he took on responsibilities across several areas of administration.
Administrative Career and Key Postings
Mitra’s career in West Bengal has included assignments in district administration, land records, municipal governance and state-level administration.
He served as District Magistrate and Collector of Malda from October 2019 to June 2022, before taking charge as District Magistrate and Collector of Murshidabad in June 2022. His tenure in Murshidabad was among his longest district-level assignments.
Earlier, he served as Additional District Magistrate in Hooghly and Howrah and as Municipal Commissioner of Howrah Municipal Corporation. He also held Joint Secretary-level responsibilities in the state’s Cabinet Secretariat and Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department.
These assignments involved district administration, coordination across government departments and the implementation of public programmes.
Recognition for Land Records Computerisation
Mitra has received the BHOOMI SAMMAN Platinum Certificate in recognition of achievements associated with the computerisation of land records.
The recognition is linked to efforts to digitise land records and improve the administration and accessibility of land-related information.
What His New Assignment Involves
As Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration, Mitra’s proposed role will place him in the administrative framework responsible for census operations and citizen registration in West Bengal.
The assignment comes as India prepares for Census 2027, which includes digital self-enumeration and household-listing operations. Census administration involves coordination with state authorities, deployment of personnel, monitoring fieldwork and ensuring the systematic collection and management of population data.
His tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme is stated to be three years from the date he assumes charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
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