New Delhi: Two senior officers of the central government – IRS-C&CE officer Ubhap Sengraj and IOFS officer Sudarshan Bhagat – have been prematurely repatriated from their current postings to their respective parent cadres, with approval from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Both repatriations were granted on personal grounds, with extended cooling-off provisions.
Ubhap Sengraj Repatriated from Sports Authority of India
Ubhap Sengraj (IRS-C&CE: 2005) has been serving as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), New Delhi, since August 8, 2021. Initially appointed for a three-year tenure, his term had been extended in July 2024 for an additional two years, scheduled to end on August 8, 2026.
However, as per a DoPT order issued on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Sengraj has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre on personal grounds. The order allows for extended cooling-off, a standard provision in such early repatriations.
Sengraj’s tenure as SAI CVO was marked by his efforts to strengthen vigilance mechanisms and ensure compliance with internal administrative and financial protocols. His early repatriation comes nearly a year before the completion of his extended term.
Sudarshan Bhagat Repatriated from Ministry of Coal
In a parallel development, Sudarshan Bhagat (IOFS: 2012), serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Coal since January 2023, has also been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. His tenure in the Ministry was originally set for four years, ending in January 2027.
The DoPT, in an order issued on January 29, 2026, approved Bhagat’s early repatriation on personal grounds, also with the provision of extended cooling-off. The officer’s departure occurs nearly one year before the completion of his tenure.
DoPT Approval and Extended Cooling-Off
Both repatriations were formally approved by the competent authority under the Department of Personnel and Training. The extended cooling-off period ensures that the officers are not immediately reappointed to sensitive positions, maintaining administrative balance while honoring personal requests for early return.
These moves underscore the government’s flexibility in accommodating personal requests of officers, while also ensuring that organizational functioning is not adversely affected.
