The Punjab government on Thursday carried out a major administrative reshuffle, transferring 20 IAS and six PCS officers with immediate effect. The orders were issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch) under the orders of the Governor of Punjab, citing administrative grounds.
The large-scale reshuffle impacts key state departments, district administrations, urban development authorities, and field-level governance, reflecting a significant reorganisation of the state’s bureaucratic structure.
Senior IAS Officers Assigned Key Secretariat Roles
Several senior officers have been entrusted with crucial portfolios in the Punjab Secretariat:
- Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS (2002) has been appointed Secretary, Expenditure (Finance Department) and additionally Administrative Secretary, NRI Affairs
- Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS (2003) has been posted as Administrative Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayats, Taxation, Cooperation, and Secretary, Elections (Local Bodies Wing) — a key appointment ahead of municipal elections
- Abhinav Trikha, IAS (2006) has been appointed Secretary, Finance
- Kanwal Preet Brar, IAS (2007) has been posted as Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, with additional charge as Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration
- Vimal Kumar Setia, IAS (2010) has been appointed Secretary, Home Affairs
Major Changes at Deputy Commissioner Level
The reshuffle includes significant changes in district leadership, with multiple Deputy Commissioners transferred:
- Varjeet Walia, IAS (2018) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Patiala
- Aaditya Dachalwal, IAS (2016) has taken charge as Deputy Commissioner, Roopnagar
- Gurpreet Singh Aulakh, IAS (2015) has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar
- Harpreet Singh, IAS (2019) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Barnala, along with additional charge as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Barnala
These changes indicate a renewed focus on district-level governance and administrative efficiency.
Urban Development and Planning Reorganised
Urban governance also witnessed notable realignment:
- Sakshi Sawhney, IAS (2014) has been appointed Chief Administrator, GMADA, with additional charge of PUDA and Town & Country Planning
- Neeru Katyal Gupta, IAS (2016) has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Local Government for posting as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana
- Aparna M. B., IAS (2021) has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for posting as Chief Administrator, Patiala Development Authority
Additional Secretaries and Departmental Reassignments
Several IAS officers were reassigned to strengthen departmental functioning:
- Ankurjeet Singh, IAS (2018) appointed Additional Secretary, Home Affairs
- T. Benith, IAS (2018) posted as Additional Secretary, Revenue & Rehabilitation
- Syed Sehrish Asgar, IAS (2013) assigned multiple responsibilities, including Power, New & Renewable Energy Sources, and Water Supply & Sanitation
PCS Officers Given Field-Level Responsibilities
Six PCS officers were also transferred, with several posted in operational and field roles:
- Karandeep Singh, PCS (2017) — Available for posting
- Khushpreet Singh, PCS (2025) appointed SDM, Lopoke, with additional charge as Estate Officer, Amritsar Development Authority
- Rajbir Singh, PCS (2025) posted as Chief Minister’s Field Officer, Ferozepur
- Arvind Kumar, PCS (2025) appointed Chief Minister’s Field Officer, Sri Muktsar Sahib
- Kuldeep Chand, PCS (2025) appointed Chief Minister’s Field Officer
- Shikha Bhagat, PCS (2012) posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Phagwara, with additional charge as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Phagwara
Transfers Take Immediate Effect
According to the official notification, all transfers and postings have been ordered on administrative grounds with immediate effect. Officers have been directed to assume charge at their new postings without delay.
Senior officials described the reshuffle as a routine but strategic administrative exercise, aimed at improving coordination, enhancing governance delivery, and ensuring effective implementation of state policies.
