New Delhi: The Central Government has prematurely repatriated 2006 batch IAS Officer Rashmi Kamal, West Bengal cadre, to her parent cadre on administrative grounds. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), through a notification issued on Friday (June 26, 2026), stated that the officer has been sent back to the West Bengal cadre with the provision of “extended cooling off.”
The development comes only a few months after Rashmi Kamal assumed charge as the Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR), West Bengal, a crucial central assignment linked to census administration and citizen registration activities.
DoPT Issues Premature Repatriation Order
According to the notification issued on Friday, Rashmi Kamal, who was serving at the Director level as Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration, West Bengal, has been prematurely repatriated to her parent cadre on administrative grounds.
The order also mentions that the repatriation has been approved with the provision of extended cooling off, a condition generally applicable to officers returning from central deputation before completion of their tenure.
Recently Appointed to Key Census Role
Rashmi Kamal had taken over as Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration, West Bengalon December 31, 2025.
The assignment assumed added significance amid preparations related to census-related activities, special intensive revision exercises and coordination concerning applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Her posting placed her at the centre of one of the country’s most sensitive administrative assignments involving population data and citizen registration.
Who is IAS Rashmi Kamal?
Dr. Rashmi Kamal is a 2006-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the West Bengal cadre. Over nearly two decades in public service, she has handled a wide range of administrative responsibilities across district administration, governance and policy implementation.
Personal Profile
- IAS Batch: 2006
- Cadre: West Bengal
- DoB: July 1, 1977
- Home State/Domicile: Bihar
- Recruitment: Direct Recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination
- Languages Known: Bengali, English and Hindi
Educational Background
Before joining the civil services, Rashmi Kamal pursued a career in medicine.
She holds an MBBS degree from Patna University, making her one of the doctor-turned IAS officers in the country. She later completed a postgraduate degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, further strengthening her academic credentials.
Administrative Career
Throughout her career in the West Bengal cadre, Rashmi Kamal has held several important administrative positions at both district and state levels.
Her major assignments include:
- Assistant Collector and Magistrate
- Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and Executive Magistrate
- Additional District Magistrate (ADM)
- Joint Secretary
- District Magistrate (DM)
- District Collector
- Director
- Secretary in the Government of West Bengal
- Secretary, Paschimanchal Unnayan Department
- Controller in various administrative assignments
Over the years, she has built extensive experience in district administration, governance, development programmes and citizen service delivery.
Central Deputation
In early 2026, Rashmi Kamal was appointed as Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration, West Bengal, a prestigious central deputation assignment approved by the President of India.
The position carried significant responsibilities, particularly in view of the ongoing preparations for census-related work, citizen registration processes and coordination of applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
However, within months of assuming the assignment, the Centre has now ordered her premature repatriation to the West Bengal cadre on administrative grounds.
What Does the Latest Order Mean?
The DoPT notification states that Rashmi Kamal has been relieved from her central deputation before completing her tenure and will return to serve in her parent cadre of West Bengal.
The order specifically mentions that the repatriation has been approved with the provision of extended cooling off, which governs the conditions applicable to officers returning from central deputation before becoming eligible for another deputation assignment.
With her return, Rashmi Kamal is expected to be assigned a suitable posting by the West Bengal government.
