Jehanabad, Bihar: For Tshering Y. Bhutia, administration is not limited to files, meetings and inspections. Since taking charge as Jehanabad’s District Magistrate, the IAS officer has been making a point of stepping directly into classrooms and playgrounds to understand the conditions in government schools and interact with students.
Bhutia, a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Bihar-cadre, took charge as Jehanabad DM in June 2026. The district administration’s official website currently lists her as the District Magistrate.
Her recent school visits have drawn attention for their unusually hands-on approach. During an inspection at Kazisarai’s upgraded high school, Bhutia joined girl students on the basketball court and played with them. She also demonstrated basic aspects of the game, including passing and court positioning, while encouraging the students to balance academics with sports.
From Inspection To Participation
Rather than restricting her visit to checking registers and infrastructure, Bhutia interacted directly with the students and reviewed the school’s facilities.
Her focus during the visit included:
- Smart classrooms and school infrastructure
- Cleanliness and sports facilities
- Student participation in sports
- Direct interaction with girl students
- Encouraging regular physical activity
She subsequently directed that sports activities be conducted for students in the afternoon, with a focus on making sporting activity a regular part of school life.
Explaining her motivation, Bhutia said, “It was not a mere sports event. I wanted to give a message to students through such events.”
She has since promoted the message “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” (One hour in the playground), encouraging students to spend an hour each day on the playground.
The initiative reflects Bhutia’s emphasis on sports as part of children’s overall development rather than treating it as an occasional extracurricular activity.
DM Sits With Students To Check Mid-Day Meal
At Kanya Madhya Vidyalaya in Horilganj, Bhutia took another hands-on approach during her inspection. She sat on the floor alongside students and ate the mid-day meal served at the school.
The visit allowed her to assess the food from the students’ perspective while also speaking to them about their schooling and daily experience.
The inspection also brought a concern over attendance to the administration’s attention. Of 122 students enrolled in Classes 1 to 5, only 55 were present when the school was inspected.
“Parents should be encouraged to send their children to school. The school should take initiative for the purpose,” she said.
Bhutia directed teachers to contact parents and work towards improving attendance and ensuring that children attend school regularly.
Her Approach Extends Beyond School Inspections
Bhutia’s school visits have also involved speaking directly with students, checking their academic work and examining the functioning of educational facilities.
Her administration has additionally focused on using digital mechanisms to address students’ concerns. During a district-level review of the Vidyarthi Sahyog Portal, officials were instructed to ensure that issues raised by students and educational institutions are tracked and resolved within the prescribed timeframe.
The emphasis on direct interaction has made Bhutia’s early tenure in Jehanabad notable, particularly because she has combined routine administrative inspection with personal engagement with students.
Who Is Tshering Y. Bhutia?
Bhutia is a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre and originally hails from Sikkim. She studied Economics at St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Economics. Bihar’s 2026 civil list records her as a 2013-batch regular-recruitment IAS officer with an M.A. in Economics.
She was initially allocated the West Bengal cadre and was later transferred to the Bihar cadre on grounds of marriage to fellow 2013-batch IAS officer Anand Sharma. The Union government’s Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the inter-cadre transfer in August 2025.
Bhutia’s current tenure in Jehanabad has therefore brought a relatively direct style of district administration to the forefront, with schools, sports and student welfare forming a visible part of her field visits.
