ACC Extends Upgraded Tenure of Six Senior Officers Across UPSC, Finance Ministry, ECI, MeitY and Animal Husbandry Department Till 2027
In a significant move aimed at ensuring administrative continuity across some of the country’s most important government institutions, the Central Government has approved the extension of the temporary upgradation of six senior-level posts, allowing the incumbent officers to continue serving at enhanced administrative ranks for varying periods extending up to 2027.
The decision has been cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and formally notified through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 27, 2026. The approvals cover key positions in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The latest order ensures that these officers will continue to discharge their responsibilities at the level of Secretary or Additional Secretary, despite the original sanctioned posts being of a lower rank. Such temporary upgradations are commonly used by the government to match the level of a post with the importance of the responsibilities being handled, without permanently altering the cadre structure.
The move is expected to provide stability in policymaking and administration, especially in departments handling recruitment, public finance, elections, digital governance and livestock development.
ACC Gives Nod to Continuation of Upgraded Posts
The latest approvals underline the Centre’s focus on maintaining experienced leadership in strategic institutions where continuity is considered essential for policy implementation and institutional efficiency.
Temporary upgradation enables officers to function at a higher administrative level while holding the same assignment. It allows ministries and constitutional bodies to retain experienced leadership without immediately restructuring sanctioned posts.
The six extensions approved by the ACC cover officers belonging to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) and Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), reflecting the government’s reliance on seasoned civil servants for key administrative responsibilities.
UPSC Secretary to Continue at Secretary Rank Till September 2027
Among the most important decisions is the extension of the upgraded post of Secretary, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The ACC has approved the continuation of the temporary upgradation of the post from the level of Additional Secretary to Secretary, enabling Shashi Ranjan Kumar, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Tripura cadre, to continue in the higher rank until September 3, 2027.
The UPSC occupies a pivotal constitutional position in India’s governance framework. It is responsible for conducting the Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination and several other recruitment processes for the Union Government.
Apart from conducting examinations, the Commission also advises the government on recruitment policies, promotions, disciplinary matters and service-related issues concerning civil servants.
Given the institution’s constitutional importance, the continuation of the Secretary-level post is expected to strengthen administrative leadership and ensure smooth functioning during the extended period.
Finance Ministry Retains Two Senior Officers in Upgraded Positions
The Ministry of Finance has received two separate extensions under the latest ACC order, both relating to senior positions in the Department of Expenditure. The first extension has been granted to Manoj Sahaya, a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS).
He will continue as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, with the temporary upgradation of his post extended until January 29, 2027.
As Financial Adviser, Sahaya plays a crucial role in expenditure management, financial planning, budgetary approvals, fiscal discipline and coordination with various ministries on matters relating to government spending.
His continued presence is expected to provide consistency in financial decision-making as the government continues implementing major infrastructure projects and welfare programmes.
The ACC has also approved the continuation of the upgraded post held by Parama Sen, another 1994-batch IA&AS officer. She will continue serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Expenditure until August 2, 2027.
The Department of Expenditure is one of the most influential departments in the Finance Ministry. It oversees expenditure control, public financial management, budget implementation and policy approvals involving financial implications across ministries and departments.
Retaining experienced officers in senior positions is considered important for ensuring efficient fiscal administration and timely financial clearances.
Varsha Joshi to Continue at Additional Secretary Level
The Centre has also approved the extension of the upgraded post held by Varsha Joshi, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Her position will continue at the Additional Secretary level until December 5, 2026.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying plays an important role in promoting livestock development, dairy production, animal healthcare, veterinary services, livestock disease control and rural livelihood programmes across the country.
The department has been implementing several initiatives aimed at improving milk production, strengthening dairy cooperatives, promoting indigenous cattle breeds and enhancing livestock productivity.
The continuation of an experienced officer at the Additional Secretary level is expected to help maintain momentum in these programmes.
Deputy Election Commissioner’s Upgraded Post Extended
Another significant decision relates to the Election Commission of India, one of India’s most respected constitutional institutions.
The ACC has approved the continuation of the temporary upgradation of the post of Deputy Election Commissioner from the Joint Secretary level to the Additional Secretary level.
The position is currently held by Maneesh Garg, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. His upgraded tenure has now been extended until September 1, 2027.
The Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the offices of the President and Vice President.
The institution also oversees electoral roll management, election planning, model code of conduct enforcement and the adoption of technology in election management.
Given the scale and complexity of India’s electoral system, continuity in senior administrative leadership is regarded as essential for ensuring smooth election planning and institutional preparedness.
Amitesh Kumar Sinha Continues in MeitY
The ACC has also extended the temporary upgradation of the post held by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, a 1997-batch officer of the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
He will continue serving at the Additional Secretary level until August 9, 2027. MeitY has become one of the government’s most strategically important ministries as India accelerates its digital transformation.
The ministry is responsible for policies relating to digital governance, cybersecurity, electronics manufacturing, semiconductor development, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, online services and emerging technologies.
Its role has expanded significantly in recent years with the government’s increasing emphasis on digital innovation, indigenous technology development and electronic manufacturing.
Maintaining experienced leadership at the Additional Secretary level is expected to support the implementation of several ongoing technology initiatives.
Complete List of Officers Covered by the ACC Order
The latest ACC decision covers the following officers and upgraded posts:
Shashi Ranjan Kumar (IAS:1992:Tripura) – Secretary, Union Public Service Commission. The temporary upgradation of the post from Additional Secretary to Secretary has been extended until September 3, 2027.
Manoj Sahaya (IA&AS:1994) – Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. The upgraded tenure has been extended until January 29, 2027.
Parama Sen (IA&AS:1994) – Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. The temporary upgradation has been extended until August 2, 2027.
Varsha Joshi (IAS:1995:AGMUT) – Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The upgraded post will continue until December 5, 2026.
Maneesh Garg (IAS:1996:Himachal Pradesh) – Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India. The upgraded post from Joint Secretary to Additional Secretary level has been extended until September 1, 2027.
Amitesh Kumar Sinha (IRAS:1997) – Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The temporary upgradation has been extended until August 9, 2027.
Strengthening Governance Through Administrative Continuity
The latest ACC approvals reflect the Centre’s continued emphasis on maintaining stability across departments that play a critical role in governance, policymaking and public administration.
By extending the temporary upgradation of these six senior posts, the government has ensured that experienced officers remain in positions of leadership during an important period marked by ongoing administrative reforms, technological transformation, fiscal management and institutional strengthening.
The decision also highlights the flexibility of the government’s administrative framework, where temporary upgradation is used to align the rank of a post with the scope of responsibilities being handled without making permanent changes to the sanctioned cadre structure.
With the extensions now approved, the concerned officers will continue leading key functions in constitutional institutions and major ministries, providing continuity in decision-making, improving inter-departmental coordination and supporting the effective implementation of government policies through 2026 and 2027.
