New Delhi: The resignation of C.A. Ramdas (IPS:2025:Odisha) has once again brought the issue of young Indian Police Service (IPS) officers leaving one of the country’s most prestigious civil services into the spotlight. Ramdas, who resigned while undergoing Phase-I training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad, had not yet taken up his first field posting in Odisha.
His resignation comes just days after Jagmohan Meena (IPS:2013:Odisha) stepped down from the service, taking the number of recent IPS resignations to eight and triggering discussions within administrative and policy circles about changing career aspirations, officer retention and manpower shortages in the police service.
Eight Officers Have Resigned in Recent Months
According to available information, eight IPS officers have resigned from the service over the past several months. What has particularly attracted attention is that seven of the eight officers are below the age of 40, despite having many years of service remaining.
The officers include:
- C.A. Ramdas (33) – Odisha Cadre (2025 Batch)
- Jagmohan Meena (37) – Odisha Cadre
- Siddharth Kaushal (35)
- Rachita Juyal (35)
- Kamya Mishra (32)
- Lokeshwar Singh (38)
- Abhishek Tiwari (33)
- Nurul Hoda – the only officer among the group above 40 years of age.
The back-to-back resignations have naturally generated discussion among civil service aspirants as well as serving officers about the changing dynamics of public service careers.
Latest Resignation: C.A. Ramdas
C.A. Ramdas, a 2025-batch IPS officer allotted to the Odisha cadre, submitted his resignation during Phase-I training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad.
Since he was still undergoing training, he had not assumed his first field assignment in Odisha. His resignation came as a surprise because officers generally begin their field careers only after completing academy training.
The Odisha government is yet to officially elaborate on the reasons behind his resignation.
Jagmohan Meena’s Exit Drew National Attention
Before Ramdas, Jagmohan Meena, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Bhubaneswar, resigned from the IPS at the age of 37.
Meena, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, had served in several important policing assignments in Odisha. His resignation attracted widespread attention because he was considered one of the promising young IPS officers in the cadre.
Different Officers, Different Career Paths
Available information suggests that the officers have taken different paths after leaving the service.
Siddharth Kaushal reportedly chose to move into the corporate sector and joined Reliance Industries, marking a transition from public administration to private enterprise.
Lokeshwar Singh is understood to have taken up an international assignment associated with the United Nations, reflecting an increasing trend of Indian civil servants moving into global institutions.
Former Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer Abhishek Tiwari, who had handled several important cybercrime investigations during his service, is understood to be pursuing entrepreneurial ventures after resigning.
The resignations of Kamya Mishra and Nurul Hoda also attracted considerable public attention. While there has been discussion in public and political circles regarding their future plans, no detailed official explanation has been issued regarding the reasons behind their decisions.
Vacancies Continue to Be a Challenge
The recent resignations have come at a time when the Indian Police Service continues to face a shortage of officers.
Earlier this year, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, while replying to a question in Parliament, informed that more than 500 IPS posts were vacant across the country.
The vacancies affect not only state police organisations but also central agencies such as:
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Other Central Police Organisations where IPS officers are deputed
The shortage has resulted in many officers handling additional responsibilities across states and central organisations.
Changing Aspirations Among Young Officers
Every year, thousands of UPSC aspirants compete for a limited number of IPS vacancies, making the service one of the country’s most sought-after careers.
However, recent resignations indicate that career choices among young officers are becoming increasingly diverse. Opportunities in multinational companies, international organisations, entrepreneurship, public policy and emerging sectors are offering alternative career paths to some civil servants.
Administrative experts believe that each resignation should be viewed individually, as personal, professional and family considerations often differ from one officer to another.
A Trend Worth Watching
Although there is no official indication of a common reason behind the recent resignations, the departure of eight officers within a relatively short period has certainly drawn attention across the bureaucracy.
The latest resignation of C.A. Ramdas, following that of Jagmohan Meena, has once again highlighted the need for a broader discussion on officer retention, evolving career aspirations and the future of leadership within the Indian Police Service.
Whether these resignations remain isolated individual decisions or indicate a larger shift in career preferences among young civil servants is likely to remain an important subject of discussion in the coming months.
Read Also: Who Is IPS Jagmohan Meena? Bhubaneswar DCP Resigns After 13 Years of Service, Cites Personal Reasons
