Babus, mantris & buzz: If LPG Supply Issues Persist, BJP May Face Heat in Upcoming Elections
· Free Press Journal
If LPG Supply Issues Persist, BJP May Face Heat in Upcoming Elections
The shortage of LPG supply if persisted longer can affect the BJP polls. With elections scheduled in several states in the coming months, any disruption in essential household supplies can affect BJP negatively in elections. One can wait and watch.
Visit forestarrow.help for more information.
Changes in RSS hierarchy likely !
Grapevine has it there are going to be changes in the RSS hierarchy soon after the Pratinidhi Sabha meeting in Haryana.
BUREAUCRACY
Secretary level reshuffle likely soon
If sources are to be believed the GoI is likely to make changes at the secretary level this month end or in the first half of April. About seven secretaries could be affected if reshuffle takes place.
Ongoing Impact of Cadre Allocation Policy Overhaul
A major structural change announced by the Centre is reshaping IAS, IPS, and IFoS allocations nationwide, including southern states. The five-zone system has been replaced with four new groupings: (1) North (J&K, Himachal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand); (2) East (UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh); (3) West & Central (MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa); and (4) South & North-East (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, plus North-Eastern states). This aims to balance cadre preferences and address vacancies. Southern states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha) now fall under Groups 2 and 4, potentially leading to increased inter-state deputations. This policy takes full effect from the 2026 UPSC batch onward.
Govt Plans to Fast-track Listings of Green Arms of PSUs
The government plans to fast-track listings of green arms of PSUs in 2026, with NLC Green (from NLC India, a Navratna company) and SJVN Green (from SJVN, a Miniratna company) in focus. DIPAM aims to accelerate at least two such listings, signaling new business entities in renewable energy. This initiative is part of broader 2026 plans for PSU green subsidiaries.
Civil Services Critique and Systemic Change Whispers
A few social media posts criticised the IAS as “modern feudalism,” predicting external pressures (e.g., economic shifts in southern states) could force reforms like mandatory private-sector deputations for IPS officers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
1300 posts of IAS lying vacant
As many as 1300 posts of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been lying vacant in various cadres in the country.
Interviews for CMD, HCL on Mar 12
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) on March 12, 2026.
Steel Ministry to hold interviews for CMD, RINL on Mar 14
The Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) set up by the Ministry of Steel is holding interviews for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) on March 14, 2026.
Subhasis Sengupta selected as Director (Ope), RINL
Subhasis Sengupta, Chief General Manager, DSP, SAIL, has been selected for the post of Director (Operations), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 10, 2026. As many as 12 persons were interviewed for the same.
Justice Prem Narayan Singh appointed as Chairman, MP Arbitration Tribunal
Justice Prem Narayan Singh retired from the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been appointed as Chairman, Madhya Pradesh Arbitration Tribunal for a period of five years.
Judicial officer is now new State Election Commissioner in Kerala
Law Secretary K G Sanalkumar has been appointed as the State Election Commissioner in Kerala.
Deepak Mishra returns to parent cadre
Deepak Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre in order to avail of the benefit of promotion in the cadre. He is a 1996 batch IFoS officer of Kerala cadre.
Zonal to Grouped Cadres
Move from zonal to grouped cadres promotes mobility, reducing “home-state bias” in postings—beneficial for Odisha/Kerala’s vacancy-prone areas.
No empanelment for Secretary from Sikkim
No empanelment of 1995 batch IAS officer for holding either Secretary or Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Sikkim cadre.
No empanelment for Additional Secretary from Sikkim
No empanelment of 2001 batch IAS officer for holding either Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Sikkim cadre.
Ashok Kumar Panda in race for CMD, SAIL
Ashok Kumar Panda, Director (Finance), is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) falling vacant on April 3, 2026.
Shiv Pal Singh is also CVO, HEC
Shiv Pal Singh, CVO, BHEL, has been assigned an additional charge of CVO, Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC), Ranchi for a period of one year. He is a 1997 batch IFoS officer of UP cadre.
Artillery Modernisation Approval
The Indian Army has cleared procurement of 300 indigenous Dhanush 155mm/45 calibre howitzers from Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL), equipping 15 artillery regiments. This ₹15,000+ crore deal emphasizes Make in India, with deliveries phased over 2026-2030 to replace ageing systems and boost border firepower. Analysts predict integration with AI-driven fire control for networked warfare.
Emerging Trends in Privatisation and Digitalisation
Unofficial suggestions emerged for railway reforms, such as leasing suburban tracks to state metros/RRTS for efficiency, exiting short-haul operations, and focusing on 250+ km long-distance routes. This aligns with emerging trends in privatisation and digitalisation. No major whispers on officer reshuffles surfaced, but the merger proposal fuels speculation on leadership changes at merged entities. Overall, 2026 trends point to capex surges (potentially Rs 1.3 lakh crore for safety), network expansion to 69,439 RKMs, and high-speed testing tracks operational by March end.
AIIMS New Delhi and ISRO MoU on Space Medicine Research
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre to advance research in space medicine. The collaboration targets the physiological impacts of microgravity on human health, including musculoskeletal systems, behavioral well-being, and overall astronaut safety. It supports upcoming missions like Gaganyaan (India’s first human spaceflight) and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). The initiative, led by AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas, also aims to develop Earth-based healthcare innovations from space-derived insights. This marks a significant step in integrating medical expertise with space technology for national self-reliance in human spaceflight.
(DISCLAIMER: Correctness of this content is the responsibility of the author. By arrangement with whispersinthecorridors.com)