Mumbai: In a landmark decision, the Central Government has formally appointed 12 officers from the State Civil Service (Maharashtra) to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), under the Select List of 2024. The appointments, made by the President of India, were issued through an official notification by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The promotions are made under Rule 8(1) of the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, read with Regulation 9(1) of the IAS (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955. The officers have been appointed on probation and allocated to the Maharashtra Cadre under Rule 5(1) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954.
Promotions for Vacant Posts in 2024
The notification states that these promotions are being carried out against vacancies in the IAS cadre for the year 2024 – specifically for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The selected officers will fill vacant IAS positions across the state.
The 12 officers promoted to IAS include –
- Vijay Singh Deshmukh
- Vijay Bhakre
- Trigun Kulkarni
- Gajanan Patil
- Mahesh Patil
- Asha Pathan
- Pankaj Devre
- Manjiri Manolkar
- Rajlakshmi Shaha
- Sonali Mulay
- Gajendra Bawane
- Pratibha Ingle
These officers are currently serving across various districts and administrative levels in Maharashtra.
Appointments Subject to Pending Legal Matters
The appointments are provisional and subject to the outcome of the following legal proceedings:
- OA No. 236/2021 and OA No. 237/2021 pending before the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT), Mumbai
- Writ Petition (C) No. 197/2025 pending before the Supreme Court of India
The appointments reflect a major career milestone for these officers, and also underscore the Centre’s ongoing efforts to strengthen administrative capacity by promoting experienced officers from state services into the IAS.
Revenue Minister Bawankule Applauds the Promotion
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule took to social media to announce and celebrate the development. In his tweet, he remarked, “A new chapter has been added to the Maharashtra Administrative Service today.”
He congratulated the officers and highlighted that this recognition was a result of their consistent performance and dedication to public welfare. The Minister added that Maharashtra’s administrative service is becoming more people-oriented and emphasized the importance of these promotions in strengthening governance and developmental administration in the state.
A Boost to Grassroots Governance
Minister Bawankule also emphasized that the Revenue Department is the backbone of the state’s administrative machinery, and this promotion symbolizes the growing recognition of its officers. He praised their commitment to implementing public welfare schemes and contributing to Maharashtra’s development.
He credited the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for fostering an environment where capable officers are recognized and rewarded. According to the Minister, these promotions reflect the “praise and trust” earned by the Revenue officers over the years.
Administrative Impact
The elevation of these officers to the IAS cadre is expected to strengthen administrative efficiency and leadership capacity at the district and state levels. The move also opens new doors for career advancement for officers in state services, enhancing morale and encouraging excellence in governance.
