Bhopal: A major administrative reshuffle has taken place in Madhya Pradesh with the transfer of 26 IAS officers. The orders were issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Jain through the General Administration Department (GAD). Notably, the transfer list was released on Sunday, January 18, despite it being a holiday, indicating the urgency and significance of the administrative changes.
The reshuffle was carried out just before Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav’s departure for his Davos visit, adding political and administrative importance to the move.
General Administration Department Issues Transfer List
The GAD notification includes several senior and mid-level IAS officers, many of whom have been entrusted with key departments and additional responsibilities. Officers such as Shivshekhar Shukla, Umakant Umrao, Shobhit Jain, and John Kingsley have been assigned important roles in the new administrative setup.
Shiv Shekhar Shukla Appointed Chairman, Revenue Board
In one of the most significant changes, 1994 batch IAS officer Mr Shukla has been relieved of his additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary, Culture and Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments, and Home Department, and has now been appointed Chairman of the Revenue Board. This posting is being viewed as a major shift at the top administrative level.
Umakant Umrao Relieved from Mineral Resources Department
IAS Umakant Umrao (1996 batch) has been relieved from the Mineral Resources Department. He will, however, continue to serve as Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, retaining a crucial role in the state administration.
Dilip Yadav Gets New Posting Within 16 Days
2014 batch IAS officer Dilip Yadav, who was recently removed from the post of Municipal Commissioner, Indore, following the contaminated drinking water incident, has received a new posting within just 16 days.
He has now been appointed Managing Director (MD), Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC). After his removal, he was earlier posted in Bhopal as Deputy Secretary in the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
Meanwhile, 2014 batch IAS Kshitij Singhal was appointed as the new Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation.
Energy and Power Sector Sees Key Appointments
IAS Vishesh Gadpale (2008 batch) has been given multiple responsibilities. He will now serve as –
- Secretary, Energy Department
- Managing Director, MP Power Management Company, Jabalpur
- Additional Charge of Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Eastern Region Power Distribution Company
This move strengthens leadership in the crucial energy and power management sector.
Tarun Rathi Shifted to Tribal Development Department
IAS Tarun Rathi (2010 batch) has been transferred from Commissioner, Health Services, Bhopal, and appointed as Commissioner, Tribal Development, Bhopal, a department of high importance considering the state’s large tribal population.
Shobhit Jain Gets Principal Secretary Rank Responsibility
IAS Shobhit Jain has been transferred from Secretary, Food Department and appointed Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, reflecting the government’s trust in his administrative capabilities.
Health Department Gets Three New Officers
The reshuffle also includes postings in the Health Department, where three IAS officers have been assigned responsibilities –
- Dhanraju S
- Rahul Haridas
- Disha Nagwanshi
Their appointments are expected to strengthen healthcare administration and service delivery across the state.
Confidence in Senior Officers, First-Time Independent Charges
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has displayed strong confidence in senior bureaucrats by assigning additional charges to Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
Several officers below the rank of Principal Secretary have been given independent charge of departments for the first time, including –
- Shobhit Jain
- Swatantra Kumar
- Ilaiyaraja
- John Kingsley
- Alok Singh
- Shriman Shukla
This move is seen as an effort to empower capable officers and streamline decision-making.
Administrative Reorganisation Signals Governance Push
The large-scale reshuffle indicates the state government’s intent to reorganise administrative machinery, improve governance efficiency, and ensure better implementation of policies and public services across departments.
Strengthening Administrative Effectiveness
The transfer of 26 IAS officers marks one of the most significant bureaucratic reshuffles in Madhya Pradesh in recent times. With strategic postings, fresh responsibilities, and renewed confidence in senior officers, the state government appears focused on strengthening administrative effectiveness and governance outcomes.
