New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against IAS officer Saumyaketu Mishra, a 2022-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, for allegedly failing to comply with a transfer order directing him to report to Mizoram. The Ministry has issued a formal show-cause notice, terming his conduct a violation of service discipline and seeking his response within 15 days under the provisions of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
MHA Issues Show-Cause Notice
In a significant development, the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 18 issued a memorandum to Saumyaketu Mishra, formerly serving as Additional Secretary (Home) in the Delhi Government and Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
The notice asks the officer to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him for allegedly disobeying official transfer orders and failing to join his assigned post in Mizoram.
The Ministry has granted him 15 days to submit his explanation. It has also warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period would be treated as having no defense to offer, following which appropriate action could be taken under service rules.
Transfer Ordered After Promotion to IAS
Mr Mishra was inducted into the Indian Administrative Service from the DANICS cadre on February 19, 2026.
Following his promotion, he was transferred from Delhi to Mizoram on April 14, 2026, in accordance with cadre allocation and transfer norms applicable to newly inducted AGMUT cadre IAS officers.
Under the applicable rules, officers are required to report to their new place of posting within a prescribed period, generally 15 days from the issuance of transfer orders.
Request to Stay in Delhi Rejected
Shortly after the transfer order was issued, Mishra submitted a representation on April 16 requesting permission to continue in Delhi, citing family-related reasons.
However, the Delhi Government relieved him from his responsibilities on April 17 to enable him to assume charge in Mizoram.
The Ministry of Home Affairs examined his request and subsequently rejected it on May 14, finding the grounds insufficient for reconsideration of the transfer. Along with rejecting the request, the Ministry directed him to report to Mizoram immediately.
Officer Yet to Join Mizoram
According to the Ministry, despite being formally relieved from Delhi and despite the rejection of his request to stay back, Mishra has not reported for duty in Mizoram even after nearly two months.
The Ministry’s preliminary assessment reportedly concludes that the officer’s conduct amounts to deliberate non-compliance with lawful government orders and constitutes indiscipline under the All India Services framework.
Officials have noted that adherence to transfer orders is a fundamental requirement for members of the All India Services, particularly officers belonging to cadres with transferable service obligations.
Violation of Service Conduct Rules Alleged
The Home Ministry has observed that the officer’s failure to join his assigned post reflects a lack of devotion to duty and a disregard for official instructions.
The memorandum states that such conduct may amount to violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules and could attract disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
The Ministry has indicated that the officer’s actions are being viewed as:
- Deliberate disregard of transfer orders
- Violation of service discipline
- Non-compliance with lawful government directives
- Failure to maintain devotion to duty
Copies Sent to Delhi and Mizoram Chief Secretaries
The Ministry has also forwarded copies of the memorandum to the Chief Secretaries of both Delhi and Mizoram for information and necessary action.
The move underscores the seriousness with which the Centre is treating the matter, particularly given the prolonged delay in joining the assigned posting.
Officer Declines Comment
When contacted regarding the developments and the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him, Saumyaketu Mishra reportedly declined to comment on the matter.
The officer is now expected to submit his response within the 15-day period specified in the show-cause notice, after which the Ministry will decide on the next course of action.
About Saumyaketu Mishra
Mr Mishra is a 2022-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre who was inducted into the Indian Administrative Service from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS).
Before his transfer, he served as Additional Secretary (Home) in the Government of NCT of Delhi and also headed the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Following his induction into the IAS, he was allotted a posting in Mizoram as part of the cadre’s transfer framework.
Born on 18 January 1981, he spent over a decade serving in key administrative roles under the Government of NCT of Delhi, including positions as Director at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Additional Secretary (Vigilance), and Special Secretary (Home). Following his elevation to the IAS, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a routine post-promotion transfer on 14 April 2026, reassigning him from Delhi to Mizoram. However, in June 2026, the central government initiated a disciplinary show-cause notice against him under the All India Services Rules after he failed to report to his new station within the required timeframe, having requested to defer the move and remain in Delhi due to family circumstances
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