New Delhi: Padma Jaiswal, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been removed from service following approval by the President of India on corruption-related charges dating back to her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh.
The 2003-batch officer, currently serving as Special Secretary in the Administrative Reforms Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi, said she was unaware of the development.
“I am not aware of any such development or any dismissal order being passed,” Padma Jaiswal said when contacted by the media.
The action is considered a rare instance of a serving IAS officer being removed from service after disciplinary proceedings spanning nearly two decades.
President Approves Removal After Long-Running Disciplinary Proceedings
According to reports, the removal was approved by the President of India following recommendations from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is the cadre-controlling authority for AGMUT cadre officers.
The case originated from allegations of:
- Misappropriation of government revenue
- Misuse of official position
The alleged irregularities occurred during 2007–08 when Jaiswal was serving as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district.
Complaint Filed in 2008, Suspension and Legal Battle Followed
A complaint submitted by local residents in February 2008 led to her suspension in April of that year. Her suspension was revoked in October 2010, but disciplinary proceedings continued.
The Ministry of Home Affairs initiated proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, which governs the imposition of major penalties on IAS, IPS and IFoS officers.
The matter saw prolonged litigation after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) held that the Home Ministry lacked jurisdiction over AGMUT cadre officers. The Centre challenged the ruling before the Delhi High Court, which ruled in favour of the government on April 1, 2026.
Following consultations with the Central Vigilance Commission and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the UPSC reportedly recommended her removal from service.
Current Posting in Delhi Government
Padma Jaiswal was posted as Special Secretary, Administrative Reforms Department, Delhi, in February 2026 as part of a wider bureaucratic reshuffle.
In this role, she was associated with administrative modernization, governance reforms and digital transformation initiatives.
Early Life and Education
Born on October 6, 1975, Padma Jaiswal has a strong academic and professional background.
Educational Qualifications
- B.Com (Accountancy)
- M.Com (Management)
- Company Secretary (CS)
Languages Known
- English
- Hindi
- Punjabi
Key Positions Held
Over more than two decades, she served in several important assignments across AGMUT territories, including:
- Special Secretary, Administrative Reforms Department, Delhi
- Secretary (Planning, Economics and Statistics), Puducherry
- Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, Goa
- Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Goa
- Deputy Commissioner, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh
- Senior administrative roles in multiple Delhi Government departments
Professional Interests
Padma Jaiswal has participated in policy discussions and administrative work related to:
- Digital transformation in governance
- Infrastructure finance
- Circular economy
- Artificial intelligence in public administration
- Cyber resilience
- Capacity building
Why This Case Is Significant
The removal of a serving IAS officer is uncommon and reflects the conclusion of a disciplinary case that remained pending for nearly 18 years.
The development also underscores the legal and institutional processes involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, DoPT, UPSC, CVC, CAT and the Delhi High Court in cases involving major penalties against All India Service officers.
