New Delhi: In the latest round of central deputation postings, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025) announced the appointments of Harikumar M (IRTS:2011) and Maya Kumari (CPES:2014) to senior roles in the Department of Sports and the Department of Defence, respectively, under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS).
Harikumar M to Play Key Role in Olympics Division Amid India’s Sports Push
Harikumar M, an officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) of the 2011 batch, has been appointed as Director in the Olympics Division, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The appointment is for a period of two years from the date of assuming charge, and it may be extended as per norms or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Harikumar’s deputation was recommended by the Ministry of Railways. His posting comes at a pivotal moment, as India accelerates its preparations for upcoming international sporting events, including the Paris 2024 Olympics and future Asian Games. The Olympics Division plays a central role in policy development, athlete funding, infrastructure planning, and coordination with sports federations.
Maya Kumari Appointed Deputy Secretary in Department of Defence
In a parallel move, Maya Kumari, a 2014-batch officer of the Central Power Engineering Service (CPES), has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, Government of India, for a tenure of four years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders, under the CSS framework.
Currently serving in her cadre post, Maya Kumari’s central deputation marks a shift to a high-responsibility position in a ministry that plays a key role in national security, strategic planning, and defence policy.