New Delhi/Kolkata: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has approved the appointment of Rashmi Kamal, a 2006-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the West Bengal cadre, as the Director of Census Operations (DCO) and Director of Citizen Registration (DCR), West Bengal.
The appointment has been made on central deputation and is effective from January 14, 2026, for a tenure of three years, as per the official order.
Presidential Approval for Key Census Role
The post of Director of Census Operations holds critical importance, particularly in the context of upcoming national demographic exercises and citizen data management. Rashmi Kamal will be responsible for overseeing census activities, citizen registration, and coordination between the Centre and the State Government in West Bengal.
Her appointment has been approved directly by the President of India, underscoring the strategic significance of the role.
About Rashmi Kamal
- Name: Dr. Rashmi Kamal
- Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Batch: 2006
- Cadre: West Bengal
- Date of Birth: 1 July 1977
- Native Place: Bihar
Dr. Kamal is known for her wide-ranging administrative experience, especially in land reforms, district administration, and citizen-centric governance.
Educational Background
Rashmi Kamal brings a rare blend of medical and administrative expertise:
- M.B.B.S. – Patna Medical College, Patna University
- Post Graduate Degree – Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi
Her transition from medicine to civil services was driven by a desire to contribute to systemic governance and public policy, beyond individual clinical care.
UPSC Journey and Entry into Civil Services
Cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her first attempt in 2004
Joined the IAS in 2006
Her success in the first attempt remains a source of inspiration for civil services aspirants.
Key Administrative Experience
State Secretariat Roles
- Secretary, Land and Land Reforms and Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation Department (2024)
- Secretary, Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs Department
District Administration
- District Magistrate (DM), Paschim Medinipur (West Midnapore)
- Collector, Kolkata (2013–2016)
Other Important Assignments
- Director, Land Records and Survey
- Executive Director, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC)
Her tenure as DM of West Midnapore was widely noted for administrative stability and effective handling of sensitive land and governance issues.
Linguistic Skills and Administrative Style
- Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and English
- Known for a calm, methodical, and data-driven approach
- Recognised for handling complex citizen data systems and land-related reforms
These strengths are expected to play a crucial role in managing census and citizen registration responsibilities in a diverse state like West Bengal.
Literary Contributions
Apart from her administrative career, Dr. Rashmi Kamal is also a published author.
- Book: The Philanderer
- Launch Venue: Oxford Bookstore, Kolkata
Her literary work reflects her interest in social themes and human behavior beyond bureaucracy.
Significance of the Appointment
With her extensive background in district governance, land management, and citizen-focused administration, Rashmi Kamal’s appointment is seen as a strategic choice to lead census and citizen registration operations in West Bengal—an exercise that demands both administrative precision and public trust.
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