Jaipur: In a landmark move aimed at strengthening administrative efficiency and promoting women’s leadership in governance, the Rajasthan government has reshuffled the bureaucracy, appointing new in-charge secretaries for all 41 districts of the state. Notably, 13 districts have been entrusted to women IAS officers, marking a significant step in enhancing gender representation in district administration.
Statewide District Officer Reshuffle
The Department of Administrative Reforms issued orders on Thursday, announcing that the officers in charge of all 41 districts will be replaced. This is the first time in recent years that such a large-scale simultaneous transfer has taken place. The previous reshuffle occurred on February 28, 2024.
The reshuffle involves senior IAS officers, divisional commissioners, and two officers who were previously awaiting posting orders (APO). The two APO officers, P.C. Kishan and Khajan Singh, have been assigned to Dausa and Salumber respectively, before receiving their permanent postings—a rare occurrence in recent administrative practices.
Key Appointments and Major Districts
Among the notable appointments:
- Jaipur: Gayatri A. Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Health Department
- Jodhpur: Bhawani Singh Detha, Principal Secretary of Women and Child Development Department
- Udaipur: T. Ravikanth, Principal Secretary of Mines Department
- Ajmer: Neeraj K. Pawan, Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs
- Bharatpur: Anandhi, Registrar of Cooperatives
- Bikaner: Debasish Prusty, Principal Secretary of Urban Development and Housing Department
Senior officers were strategically placed in major districts to ensure effective governance, while divisional commissioners were made in-charge secretaries of one district in their respective divisions, aimed at improving administrative coordination and expediting decision-making.
Women IAS Officers Lead 13 Districts
This reshuffle marks a significant milestone for women in Rajasthan’s bureaucracy. Thirteen women IAS officers have been appointed as in-charge secretaries, including leadership roles in divisional headquarters such as Jaipur and Bharatpur. Highlights include:
- Bhilwara: Manju Rajpal, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture Department
- Bundi: Rukmani Riar, Tourism Commissioner
- Deeg: Nalini Kathotia, Divisional Commissioner, Bharatpur
- Dungarpur: Neha Giri, Director, Livelihood Projects
- Karauli: Shuchi Tyagi, Secretary, Transport Department
- Kotputli-Behror: Anupama Jorwal, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha
- Khairthal-Tijara: Poonam, Divisional Commissioner, Jaipur
- Pratapgarh: Pragya Kewalramani, Divisional Commissioner, Udaipur
- Sirohi: Pratibha Singh, Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur
The appointments reflect the government’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in leadership roles, further strengthening governance at the district level.
Divisional Commissioners Assume District Charges
All divisional commissioners have been entrusted with the responsibility of a district within their division. This move is expected to enhance coordination between the state administration and district-level offices, ensuring quicker policy implementation and responsiveness to local issues.
Notable District-wise Appointments
The reshuffle covers all 41 districts, with a mix of experienced senior officers and APO-assigned officers:
- Ajmer: Dr. Neeraj Kumar Pawan
- Alwar: Ravi Jain
- Balotra: Harji Lal Atal
- Banswara: Arushi Ajay Malik
- Baran: Hari Mohan Meena
- Barmer: Dr. Rohit Gupta
- Beawar: Himanshu Gupta
- Bharatpur: Anandhi
- Bhilwara: Manju Rajpal
- Bikaner: Devashish Prushti
- Bundi: Rukmani Riar
- Chittorgarh: V. Saravan Kumar
- Churu: Krishna Kunal
- Dausa: P.C. Kishan
- Deeg: Nalini Kathotia
- Dholpur: Om Prakash Kasera
- Didwana-Kuchaman: Dr. Samiti Sharma
- Dungarpur: Neha Giri
- Hanumangarh: Dr. Jogaram
- Jaipur: Gayatri A. Rathore
- Jaisalmer: Mahaveer Prasad Meena
- Jalore: Ambrish Kumar
- Jhalawar: Anil Kumar Agarwal
- Jhunjhunu: Naveen Jain
- Jodhpur: Bhawani Singh Detha
- Karauli: Shuchi Tyagi
- Khairthal-Tijara: Poonam
- Kota: Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur
- Kotputli-Behror: Anupama Jorwal
- Nagaur: Shakti Singh Rathore
- Pali: P. Ramesh
- Phalodi: Nikya Gohain
- Pratapgarh: Pragya Kewalramani
- Rajsamand: Kanhaiya Lal Swami
- Salumber: Khajan Singh
- Sawai Madhopur: Shivangi Swarnkar
- Sikar: Subir Kumar
- Sirohi: Dr. Pratibha Singh
- Sri Ganganagar: Vishram Meena
- Tonk: Vishwa Mohan Sharma
- Udaipur: T. Ravikanth
This reshuffle is expected to bring administrative efficiency, enhanced coordination, and a fresh approach to governance across Rajasthan.
Looking Ahead
With officers on APO status being assigned district charges, another round of postings may be expected in the near future. Analysts note that this reshuffle not only strengthens district administration but also signals the government’s intention to promote gender inclusivity and proactive leadership.
