Jaipur: In a long-awaited development, the promotion of five Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) officers to the Indian Police Service (IPS) may soon be formalised. A Selection Board meeting with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is now proposed for August 18 in Delhi, aimed at filling five IPS vacancies for the year 2024.
According to senior government sources, the five senior-most RPS officers likely to be promoted are:
- Piyush Dixit
- Pushpendra Shekhawat
- Bishna Ram Vishnoi
- Kamla Shekhawat
- Avnish Sharma
This decision, if finalised, will bring much-awaited relief to RPS officers who have been awaiting promotion for several months due to procedural delays.
Promotions Stalled Due to Integrity Certificate Dispute
Although the panel of 15 eligible RPS officers—three times the number of vacancies—had been prepared well in advance, the selection process was stalled by an objection raised from Delhi, citing that integrity certificates must also be valid for the promotion year 2024.
This technical issue consumed nearly six months, with the Department of Personnel (DoP) in Rajasthan resolving the matter only last month by resubmitting the required panel to the UPSC.
Originally, the UPSC had scheduled the meeting for August 13, but it was deferred to August 18 due to the unavailability of Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, whose presence is mandatory during the selection proceedings.
IAS Promotions Finalised Earlier; RPS Officers Still Waiting
In contrast, 16 Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers were promoted to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) on June 30, filling the state’s 2024 vacancies. This disparity has added to the frustration among RPS officers still “counting the days.”
In 2023, against eight IPS vacancies, 24 RPS names were recommended to the UPSC. Eight were promoted, leaving 16 eligible officers—15 of whom were shortlisted for the 2024 panel.
IAS Officer Under Fire in Sri Ganganagar Land Case
In a separate but significant development, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has reportedly approved strict action against an IAS officer in a controversial land allotment case in Sri Ganganagar. While the DoP has not named the officer, sources allege that irregularities occurred during the officer’s tenure as District Collector.
The move has stirred discussions within the IAS cadre, as such disciplinary action at this level is relatively rare and seen as a signal of the CM’s no-nonsense governance style.
Revenue Board Shocks with 541 Transfers Amid Ban
Meanwhile, the Revenue Board has created a buzz by ordering the transfer of 541 tehsildars and naib tehsildars, despite the current transfer ban. This marks the second year in a row that a massive reshuffle has taken place in violation of routine administrative protocols.
Notably, in October 2023, a similar transfer list of 500 officers was issued on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), a public holiday. Sources indicate that special approvals from the Chief Minister were granted in both cases.
read also: Posting Twist: IAS Riya Dabi and IPS Husband Now 100 Km Apart After Rajasthan Transfers
Concerns Over Political Interference
Administrative experts and observers have expressed concern over what they describe as “excessive political interference” in cadre management. Transferring over 500 officers from a 700-strong cadre within a year raises serious questions about stability, continuity, and governance ethics.
Critics argue that such actions undermine the spirit of good governance and affect public service delivery at the grassroots.
