Centre Elevates Six Officers to Director Rank from January 2026; IAS Harleen Kaur and Yashu Rustagi Among Key Appointments
In a significant administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the promotion and re-designation of six accomplished civil servants to Director-level roles across various central ministries and departments. The upgraded positions will formally take effect from January 1, 2026, and fall under the provisions of the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), which enables career progression for Deputy Secretary–rank officers who have demonstrated sustained excellence in governance and leadership.
The decision not only acknowledges their professional merit but also ensures continuity in policy implementation at senior levels within the Government of India.
Harleen Kaur Appointed Director in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH)
Among the promoted officers, IAS Harleen Kaur (AGMUT cadre, 2012 batch) has been re-designated from Deputy Secretary to Director in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Her upgraded assignment will commence on January 1, 2026, and extend until August 21, 2030, marking a full five-year posting under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Born on September 25, 1984, Ms. Kaur completed her B.Tech in Information Technology from Punjab Technical University. She is proficient in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, and has previously served as Special Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, where she handled high-level administrative coordination and governance responsibilities. Her continued role at MoRTH reflects the government’s confidence in her capabilities in infrastructure-related policy execution.
Her re-designation has been formalized through an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), recognizing the critical work she has been leading within the ministry.
Five Other Officers Receive Director-Level Re-Designations
Alongside Ms. Kaur, five more officers from different services have been promoted as Director, with each posting approved as a measure personal to the incumbent. Their new roles involve enhanced administrative authority and extended responsibilities:
Officer Service/Cadre & Batch New Designation / Posting
Shinde Deepak Arjun IAS, AGMUT cadre, 2012 batch Private Secretary to the Minister of Road Transport & Highways
Yashu Rustagi IAS, UP cadre, 2012 batch Director, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Vikash Kumar IA&AS, 2012 batch Director, Ministry of Defence
Komaljit Meena IRS, 2012 batch Director, Ministry of Defence
Yuvraj Ravindra Patil IRTS, 2012 batch Director, Lokpal Secretariat under DoPT
All these officers will take charge from or after January 1, 2026. Their respective ministries have been instructed to complete the formalities and update official records accordingly.
Why These Re-designations Matter
This round of promotions underlines the government’s strategy to strengthen senior management across ministries by upgrading deserving officers who have taken on complex and high-impact assignments. Under the Central Staffing Scheme, Deputy Secretary-level officers who are managing extensive responsibilities can be elevated to Director-level roles to match the scale of their work.
Such re-designations:
Enhance administrative stability within ministries
Recognize sustained performance and technical expertise
Support long-term policy continuity
Encourage leadership retention within central postings
These appointments are especially relevant for ministries like MoRTH and Defence, where multi-year projects require consistent leadership.
Profile: IAS Harleen Kaur
Current Role: Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
New Role (from Jan 2026): Director, MoRTH
Education: B.Tech in IT, Punjab Technical University
Key Experience: Former Special Secretary to the Lt. Governor of Delhi
Strengths: Administrative coordination, policy implementation, technology-driven governance
Profile: IAS Yashu Rustagi
Cadre & Batch: Uttar Pradesh cadre, 2012 batch
Current Position: Deputy Secretary, DoPT
New Position: Director, Department of Personnel & Training
Educational Background: B.E. in Computer Science, Pune University
Expertise: Personnel administration, training policy, service management
