The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently undertaken a significant administrative reshuffle, involving the transfer and posting of 78 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including eight officers specifically related to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). This decision is part of ongoing efforts to manage the bureaucratic structure within the Union Territory.
Among the 33 IAS officers affected, one officer has been transferred out of J&K, while two new officers have been assigned to the region. Notably, Prerna Puri, a 2006 batch officer, has been moved from her position in J&K to Chandigarh. In contrast, two 2019 batch officers, Rupesh Kumar and Shahzad Alam, have been posted in J&K after their transfers from Chandigarh and Delhi, respectively.
The reshuffle also includes 45 IPS officers, with three being transferred out of J&K and two new postings within the territory. Mahender Nath Tiwari, a 2004 batch officer, has moved from J&K to Delhi. Additionally, Altaf Ahmed Khan (2010 batch) and Shivam Siddharth (2020 batch) have been transferred to Mizoram from J&K. Conversely, Bisma Qazi (2017 batch) and Sheikh Junaid Mehmood (2009 batch) have been assigned to J&K from Delhi and Ladakh, respectively.
The MHA’s order specifies that the transfers and postings will take effect immediately but will only be implemented after the completion of the election process in Jammu and Kashmir. This stipulation reflects the sensitive political climate in the region and aims to ensure stability during the electoral period.
In addition to the transfers, the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved a one-year extension for the inter-cadre deputation of two IAS officers, Abhishek Sharma and Syeed Fakhrudin Hameed, to J&K. This extension is part of the broader strategy to maintain experienced personnel in the region during this transitional phase.
This extensive reshuffling of IAS and IPS officers underscores the MHA’s commitment to effective governance in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as its responsiveness to the dynamic political landscape of the Union Territory.