A concerning trend is emerging within the Jharkhand cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), as a growing number of officers express their desire to move to central deputation, signaling a possible disconnect with the state’s administrative environment.
According to recent official developments, three more IAS officers R. Ronita, Akanksha Ranjan, and Mukesh Kumar have formally applied for central deputation, joining the ranks of 14 other officers from Jharkhand cadre who are already serving in key positions under the Central Government. This move comes at a time when Jharkhand is grappling with a significant shortage of senior administrative personnel.
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Jharkhand’s 14 Officers are Currently on Central Deputation
Presently, 14 senior IAS officers from the Jharkhand cadre are on central deputation. These include top-level officials across different ranks:
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Chief Secretary Rank: Shailesh Kumar Singh, Nidhi Khare and Satendra Singh
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Principal Secretary Rank: Sunil Barnwal, Rahul Sharma, K.K. Soan, Himani Pandey and Aradhana Patnaik
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Secretary Rank: Muththu Kumar, Harsh Mangla, Rai Mahimapat Ray, Shantanu Agrahari, Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh and Divyanshu Jha
Existing Shortfall in IAS Officers
Out of the 224 sanctioned IAS posts in Jharkhand, only 170 officers are currently in active service, leaving a vacuum of 54 officers. The departure of more officers to central postings could further strain governance and developmental efforts in a state already facing challenges in public service delivery and bureaucratic bandwidth.
Officers Preparing for Central Training
Adding to this trend, several officers including Sandeep Singh, Ravishankar Shukla, and Shashi Ranjan from batches up to 2017—have registered for Mid-Career Training (MCT), which is typically required for central appointments and promotions. These officers are awaiting clearance from the central government to proceed.
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Upcoming Retirements Raise Further Concerns
The situation is further compounded by the impending retirement of several senior IAS officers in 2025, including:
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Alka Tiwari (30th Sept 2025)
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Suman Kaithriva (30th June 2025)
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Nelson Eon Bage (31st Nov 2025)
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Anjani Kumar Mishra (31st Dec 2025)
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Shekhar Jamuar (31st Dec 2025)
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Akshay Kumar Singh (31st Dec 2025)
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Shashibhushan Mehra (31st Aug 2025)
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Gyanendra Kumar (30th June 2025)
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Ajay Kumar Singh (31st Aug 2025)
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Lalchand Dadel (31st July 2025)
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Pawan Kumar (31st Oct 2025)
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Manmohan Prasad (31st July 2025)
These retirements are expected to widen the leadership vacuum unless urgent measures are taken for recruitment, retention, and motivation of bureaucratic talent in the state.
