New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved extensions in the central deputation tenures of three IAS officers serving as Joint Secretaries in key Union government departments.
According to separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Vinod Seshan (IAS:2008) has been granted a two-year extension in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Parveen Kumar Thind (IAS:2007) has received a two-year extension in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, while Dinesh Kumar (IAS:2004) has been granted a four-month extension in the Department of Defence.
Vinod Seshan Gets Two-Year Extension in Petroleum Ministry
Vinod Seshan, a 2008-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, will continue as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for another two years.
The ACC approved the proposal of the Ministry to extend his central deputation tenure for two years beyond March 3, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Seshan assumed charge as Joint Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry on March 3, 2022, after initially joining the Ministry for a five-year tenure. His original deputation was therefore scheduled to end on March 3, 2027.
With the latest extension, he will continue as Joint Secretary in the Ministry until March 3, 2029, subject to further orders.
Parveen Kumar Thind Gets Two-Year Extension
Parveen Kumar Thind (IAS:2007), a 2007-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer, has also received a two-year extension as Joint Secretary in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.
The ACC approved the proposal of the Department to extend his central deputation tenure for two years beyond March 1, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Thind initially joined the Department as Director on March 1, 2022, for a five-year tenure. He was subsequently elevated to the post of Joint Secretary.
Following the extension, Thind will continue on central deputation in the Department until March 1, 2029, subject to further orders.
Dinesh Kumar Gets Four-Month Extension in Defence Ministry
Dinesh Kumar (IAS:2004), a 2004-batch Nagaland cadre IAS officer, has been granted a four-month extension as Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence.
The ACC approved the proposal of the Ministry of Defence to extend his tenure for four months beyond December 6, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Kumar has been serving in the Department of Defence since December 6, 2020, when he joined as Director for an initial five-year tenure. He was subsequently elevated as Joint Secretary in August 2021.
His original deputation was due to end on December 6, 2025. Before the expiry of that tenure, it was extended by one year in September 2025, taking it up to December 6, 2026.
With the latest extension, Kumar will now continue as Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence until April 6, 2027, subject to further orders.
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