https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Jharkhand Reels Under Acute Shortage of IAS and State Administrative Service Officers – Know More

Out of the sanctioned strength of 224 IAS officers, only 170 posts are currently filled
Indian Masterminds Stories

Jharkhand is grappling with a severe shortage of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and State Administration Service officers, posing significant challenges to the state’s administrative efficiency. Out of the sanctioned strength of 224 IAS officers, only 170 posts are currently filled. However, a large number of these officers are either on Central deputation or are set to retire this year, further deepening the crisis.

Also Read: Uttarakhand: 4 IAS Officers Reshuffled, Ranveer Singh Chauhan Relieved from Namami Gange, Nitika Khandelwal Assigned Addl Charge

Senior Officers Away on Central Deputation

A significant portion of Jharkhand’s senior IAS cadre is serving with the Central Government. This includes top-level officers in the rank of Chief Secretary such as Ms. Nidhi Khare (1992 batch), Mr. Satyendra Singh (1995 batch), and Mr. Shailesh Kumar Singh (1991 batch). At the Principal Secretary level, Mr. Sunil Varnwal(1997 batch), Mr. Rahul Sharma (1998 batch), Mr. K.K. Soan (1998 batch), Ms. Himani Pandey (1998 batch), and Ms. Aradhana Patnaik (1998 batch) are among those on deputation. Several Secretary-rank officers, including Mr. K. Muthu Kumar (2009 batch), Mr. Harsh Mangla (2008 batch), Mr. Rai Mahimapat Ray (2011 batch), Mr. Shantanu Agrahari (2012 batch), Mr. Bhuvanesh Pratap Singh (2012 batch), Mr. Divyanshu Jha (2014 batch), and Mr. Amit Kumar (2010 batch), are also currently serving on Central postings.

Wave of Retirements in 2025

Jharkhand is expected to witness the highest number of IAS officer retirements this year. From January to June alone, around six senior officials have retired or are due to retire, with another dozen expected to superannuate by December. Prominent among them are Chief Secretary Ms. Alka Tiwari (1988 batch), whose last working day is September 30, and Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh (1995 batch), retiring on August 31.

One Officer, Multiple Portfolios

Due to the acute shortage, several officers are burdened with multiple portfolios. Mr. Arwa Rajkamal (2008-batch IAS officer), Secretary of the Building Construction Department, holds additional charges of Managing Director of Jharkhand State Building Construction Corporation Limited, Resident Commissioner of Jharkhand Bhawan, New Delhi, Secretary of Mines and Geology, Secretary of Industries, Chairman of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Limited, and Mines Commissioner.

Mr. Amitabh Kaushal (2001-batch IAS officer) has been given additional responsibility of the Excise and Prohibition Department apart from the Commercial Tax Department. Ms. Vandana Dadel (1996-batch IAS officer)handles both the Home Department and the Cabinet. Similarly, Mr. Avinash Kumar (1993-batch IAS officer) serves as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Development Commissioner, and Chairman cum Managing Director of the Energy Development Corporation. Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sharma (2003-batch) has additional charge as Civil Defense Commissioner besides being Secretary of Disaster Management.

Federation Demands Reforms

Mr. Mrityunjay Kumar Jha, State Vice President of the Jharkhand State Employees Federation and President of the Secretariat Union, has raised concerns over the continued outflow of officers to Central deputation. He emphasized the urgent need to limit such postings and called for timely promotions of State Civil Service officers to the IAS cadre under the Centre’s quota to ease the pressure on the overstretched bureaucracy.

The current situation underscores the need for a systemic overhaul in cadre management to ensure robust administrative machinery for effective governance in Jharkhand.

Also Read: IAS Ramesh Verma Takes Charge of DSSSB, IAS Priyank Kishore Moves to Gujarat Cadre


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.07
Govardhan Puja: CM Mohan Yadav Performs Puja at Tilkeshwar Temple, Reiterates Commitment to Farmers & Cow Welfare
Pushkar Singh Dhami Cow
Govardhan Puja in Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Cow Conservation as Key to Culture and Self-Reliance
Gujarat News
From Temple to Policy: Gujarat CM’s New Year Message Blends Tradition with Self-Reliant Growth
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Lights Up with Development: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Diwali at Gurudham, Announces Rs. 1.58 Crore Revamp Plan
Lucknow parks development
Lucknow’s Green Makeover: LDA to Revamp 50 Parks with Rs. 150 Crore Urban Eco-Development Plan
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Yogi Government’s Bold Move: Satellite 'Invest UP' Offices in 5 Metro Cities to Boost National & Global Investments in Uttar Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT