Chandigarh: In a significant bureaucratic overhaul, the Punjab government on Thursday ordered the transfer and posting of 26 officers, including 20 IAS and six PCS officers, with immediate effect. The reshuffle includes changes at key administrative positions, notably the Deputy Commissioners of Patiala, Roopnagar (Ropar), Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), and Barnala, signalling a major district-level reset.
Key District-Level Changes
As part of the reshuffle:
- Mr. Varjeet Walia, IAS (2018) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, replacing Ms.. Preeti Yadav, IAS (2014).
- Mr. Aaditya Dachalwal, IAS (2016) has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Roopnagar, replacing Mr. Varjeet Walia.
- Mr. Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, IAS (2015) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, replacing Mr. Ankurjeet Singh, IAS (2018).
- Mr. Harpreet Singh, IAS (2019) has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Barnala, replacing Mr. T. Benith, IAS (2018), and will also serve as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Barnala.
Senior IAS Appointments and Additional Charges
- Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS (2003) has been appointed Secretary, Elections (Local Bodies Wing), a crucial posting ahead of upcoming municipal elections. He will also continue as Administrative Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayats and Taxation, and has been given additional charge of Cooperation.
- Mr. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS (2002) continues as Secretary, Expenditure, with additional charge of Administrative Secretary, NRI Affairs.
- Mr. Abhinav Trikha, IAS (2006) has been transferred as Secretary, Finance.
- Ms.. Kanwal Preet Brar, IAS (2007) has been appointed Secretary, Health & Family Welfare and Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration, effective February 1, 2026, following the superannuation of Mr. Dilraj Singh, IAS.
Key Departmental Reassignments
- Mr. Kumar Amit, IAS (2010) continues as Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and MD, MARKFED, while also taking charge as Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs.
- Mr. Vimal Kumar Setia, IAS (2010) has been posted as Secretary, Home Affairs.
- Mr. Puneet Goyal, IAS (2010) has been appointed Special Secretary, Medical Education & Research.
- Ms. Syed Sehrish Asgar, IAS (2013) has been assigned as Special Secretary, Power, New & Renewable Energy Sources, and Water Supply & Sanitation, along with Head of Department, Water Supply & Sanitation.
Urban Development and Planning Roles
- Ms. Sakshi Sawhney, IAS (2014) will continue as Chief Administrator, GMADA, with additional charge of PUDA and Director, Town & Country Planning.
- Ms. Neeru Katyal Gupta, IAS (2016) has been posted as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana.
- Ms. Aparna M. B., IAS (2021) has been posted as Chief Administrator, Patiala Development Authority.
Revenue, Home and NRI Affairs
- Mr. Paramvir Singh, IAS (2015) has been appointed Special Secretary, Revenue & Rehabilitation and Director, Land Records, Jalandhar.
- Ms.. Amandeep Kaur, IAS (2015) has been transferred as Special Secretary, NRI Affairs.
- Mr. Ankurjeet Singh, IAS (2018) has been appointed Additional Secretary, Home Affairs.
- Mr. T. Benith, IAS (2018) has been posted as Additional Secretary, Revenue & Rehabilitation.
PCS Officers Transfers and Postings
Among PCS officers, the following changes were ordered:
- Shikha Bhagat, PCS (2012) continues as ADC, Phagwara, with additional charge as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Phagwara.
- Mr. Karandeep Singh, PCS (2017) has been appointed Deputy Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- Mr. Khushpreet Singh, PCS (2025) continues as SDM, Lopoke, with additional charge as Estate Officer, Amritsar Development Authority.
- Mr. Rajbir Singh, PCS (2025) posted as Chief Minister’s Field Officer, Ferozepur.
- Mr. Arvind Kumar, PCS (2025) posted as Chief Minister’s Field Officer, Sri Muktsar Sahib.
- Mr. Kuldip Chand, PCS (2025) appointed Chief Minister’s Field Officer, Gurdaspur.
Joining Instructions
All officers have been directed to assume charge immediately. Internal arrangements will be made to manage any vacancies arising from these transfers. Ms.. Manisha Rana, IAS (2019), upon return from leave, has been instructed to report to the Department of Personnel for further posting.
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