Centre Agrees to Return Senior IAS Officer Siddharth Mahajan to Rajasthan as State Battles Acute Cadre Shortage
The Rajasthan government is set to receive crucial administrative relief with the return of senior IAS officer Siddharth Mahajan, currently serving on central deputation. His repatriation follows a formal request submitted by the state to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), seeking immediate reinforcement of its rapidly depleting officer strength. Although Rajasthan had also sought the release of another senior officer, Rohit Kumar, the Central Government declined that request, citing administrative requirements at the Union level.
Rajasthan’s Worsening Cadre Deficit
Rajasthan is currently experiencing a significant shortage of IAS officers. Out of an authorized strength of 332 cadre posts, only 280 positions are filled, leaving a gap that directly affects governance, program implementation, and policy execution. With 23 officers serving on central deputation and one officer on inter-state deputation, the state is steadily losing crucial leadership capacity across departments.
Each senior official stationed in Delhi effectively means one fewer officer available on the ground in Rajasthan to lead district administrations, drive development projects, and strengthen institutional functioning. This scarcity has compelled the state government to request the return of its experienced officers posted at the Centre.
Profile of Siddharth Mahajan: A Well-Regarded Administrator
Siddharth Mahajan, a 2003-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, brings with him nearly two decades of administrative experience. Born on 29 August 1976, he holds multiple degrees—B.A., LL.B., and LL.M.—and is fluent in both English and Hindi.
His career includes several important assignments:
Secretary to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, where he played a central role in parliamentary coordination.
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, his current post under the Government of India.
Broad experience across governance, law, administration, and policy formulation.
According to government sources, once repatriated to the state, he is likely to be appointed as Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). This would fill a critical vacancy created in June 2025, when Alok Gupta (IAS: 1996) was transferred to the Industries Department, leaving the Principal Secretary’s post in the CMO unoccupied.
Why Mahajan’s Return Matters for Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s administrative machinery is currently stretched thin. Senior officers on central deputation leave key roles unoccupied in the state bureaucracy, slowing down decision-making, disrupting departmental leadership, and weakening district-level governance.
The repatriation of Siddharth Mahajan is viewed as a strategic move to strengthen the top-level administrative setup. His experience at both state and central levels is expected to significantly support the Chief Minister’s Office and improve coordination across departments.
The Broader Issue: Balancing Deputation and State Requirements
Rajasthan’s situation highlights a long-standing challenge across states — maintaining an optimal balance between allowing officers to gain exposure at the Centre while ensuring state cadres remain adequately staffed. With nearly one-fourth of its senior IAS officers away on deputation, Rajasthan has been facing mounting administrative constraints.
Mahajan’s return is therefore more than a personnel adjustment; it reflects the state’s urgent need to reinforce its cadre strength and ensure uninterrupted governance.
The Centre’s decision to repatriate him, while retaining Rohit Kumar, also underscores the delicate coordination required between state and central governments to manage nationwide administrative resources effectively.
