Premature Repatriation: IRS Officer Mrinal Kumar Das Returns to Parent Cadre from Department of Consumer Affairs
The Competent Authority has formally sanctioned the proposal from the Department of Consumer Affairs for the premature repatriation of Shri Mrinal Kumar Das, a 2007-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer.
Mr. Das, who has been serving as Director in the Department of Consumer Affairs, will return to his parent cadre on personal grounds. This transition includes the specific provision of an “extended cooling-off” period, which impacts his eligibility for future central deputation.
Executive Summary of the Repatriation
Understanding “Extended Cooling-Off”
In the context of the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), “cooling-off” refers to the mandatory period an officer must spend in their parent cadre before becoming eligible for another central deputation.
Standard Policy: Typically, a three-year cooling-off period is required after a central stint.
Extended Provision: When an officer seeks premature repatriation on personal grounds (rather than being recalled for a promotion), the rules often dictate that the remaining portion of their original central tenure is added to their mandatory cooling-off period. This effectively debars or delays the officer’s return to central services for a longer duration.
Professional Career Profile
Shri Mrinal Kumar Das is a seasoned tax administrator with nearly two decades of experience. Before his move to the Department of Consumer Affairs in June 2024, he held various critical roles within the Income Tax Department. During his short tenure as Director at the Centre, he was involved in policy oversight related to consumer protection and market regulations.
According to the official directive issued in February 2026, the Department of Consumer Affairs has been instructed to relieve Mr. Das of his duties immediately, ensuring a swift transition back to the Department of Revenue.
