Karnataka IAS Reshuffle 2026: Major Bureaucratic Shake-Up Sees 16 IAS Officers Transferred, New Leadership at KSRTC, BMTC and Key Departments
The Karnataka government has transferred 16 IAS officers in a major administrative reshuffle. New appointments have been made in KSRTC, BMTC, health, tourism, education, agriculture, rural development and Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, aiming to boost governance and administrative efficiency across the state.
Karnataka IAS Reshuffle 2026: Government Transfers 16 Officers, Reassigns Key Administrative Responsibilities Across Major Departments
Bengaluru: In a significant administrative overhaul aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating policy implementation, the Karnataka government has ordered the transfer and reassignment of 16 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers across a wide range of departments and public sector institutions. The large-scale bureaucratic reshuffle, announced on Thursday, affects several crucial sectors including public transport, education, tourism, agriculture, health, municipal administration, rural development and state representation in the national capital.
The latest round of transfers is being viewed as an effort by the state government to place experienced officers in strategically important positions while improving coordination among departments that play a critical role in delivering public services.
One of the most notable features of the reshuffle is the change in leadership at Karnataka’s two largest public transport corporations – the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Apart from transport administration, the government has also introduced leadership changes in departments dealing with higher education, backward classes welfare, tourism, municipal governance and healthcare.
Major Manivannan Given Additional Urban Transport Responsibility
Among the senior officers receiving new responsibilities is Major Manivannan P., a 1998-batch IAS officer who currently serves as Commissioner of the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). The government has entrusted him with the additional charge of Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Land Transport.
The move places Major Manivannan at the heart of Karnataka’s urban mobility planning initiatives. With Bengaluru continuing to witness rapid urban expansion, increasing traffic congestion and rising transportation demands, the Directorate of Urban Land Transport plays a vital role in planning integrated mobility solutions and coordinating transport-related infrastructure projects.
His dual responsibilities are expected to contribute to better synchronization between urban development projects and transportation planning.
Key Changes at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi
Another important administrative development involves Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, which serves as the state’s official liaison office in the national capital.
Imkongla Jamir M., a 2002-batch IAS officer who has been serving as Resident Commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan, has been transferred and appointed as Secretary (Coordination), Karnataka Bhavan, with immediate effect. The appointment also relieves senior officer Sameer Shukla of the additional charge he had been handling.
At the same time, Sameer Shukla, a 2005-batch IAS officer currently serving as Secretary in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, has been appointed the new Resident Commissioner at Karnataka Bhavan. His posting is considered important because the office serves as a critical link between the Karnataka government and various ministries and agencies of the Union Government.
New Secretaries for Backward Classes Welfare and Higher Education
The reshuffle has also resulted in leadership changes in the education and social welfare sectors.
Dr. Prasad N.V., a 2004-batch IAS officer who had been awaiting posting, has been appointed Secretary to the Backward Classes Welfare Department. The department is responsible for implementing welfare schemes and educational initiatives aimed at socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
Meanwhile, Thulasi Maddineni, a 2005-batch IAS officer and former Secretary of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, has been transferred as Secretary of the Higher Education Department. She succeeds Khushboo G. Chowdhary, who had been holding the position as an additional responsibility.
The appointment is expected to strengthen administrative oversight in Karnataka’s higher education ecosystem, which includes universities, colleges and technical institutions across the state.
Rural Development Administration Receives Additional Support
The government has also sought to improve coordination within the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
Randeep D., a 2006-batch IAS officer, has been assigned the role of Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, while continuing to hold the additional charge of Secretary (Panchayat Raj).
Officials believe the arrangement will help streamline decision-making and improve implementation of rural infrastructure, local governance and village development programmes across Karnataka.
Major Leadership Changes at KSRTC and BMTC
The most widely discussed aspect of the reshuffle involves Karnataka’s public transportation sector.
Sivakumar K.B. Takes Over as KSRTC Managing Director
Sivakumar K.B., a 2010-batch IAS officer who has been serving as Managing Director of BMTC, has been transferred and appointed Managing Director of KSRTC.
His appointment comes after the transfer of Akram Pasha, who had led KSRTC for nearly a year before being reassigned. Sivakumar’s tenure at BMTC lasted approximately eight months, during which the corporation continued efforts to improve operational efficiency and passenger services.
As the new head of KSRTC, he will be responsible for overseeing one of the country’s largest state-run transport networks, which connects urban and rural regions across Karnataka.
Raghunandan Murthy Takes Charge of BMTC
Replacing Sivakumar at BMTC is Raghunandan Murthy, a 2014-batch IAS officer who previously served as Commissioner of Treasuries.
In addition to becoming Managing Director of BMTC, he will continue to hold concurrent charge as Commissioner of Treasuries.
His appointment comes at a crucial time when BMTC is focusing on expanding services, modernising its fleet, strengthening financial sustainability and enhancing commuter experience in Bengaluru.
Tourism Department Gets New Commissioner
The government has also made changes in the tourism sector.
Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar V., a 2010-batch IAS officer currently serving as Managing Director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), has been entrusted with the additional charge of Commissioner of Tourism.
He replaces Shivaprasad P.R., who had been handling the responsibility as an additional assignment. Karnataka’s tourism sector has been witnessing steady growth, and the department is expected to focus on attracting greater domestic and international visitor traffic.
Agriculture and MSME Departments Witness Administrative Changes
The Agriculture Department has received a new commissioner as part of the reshuffle.
Dr. Sateesha B.C., a 2012-batch IAS officer and Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Commerce and Industries Department, has been appointed Commissioner of Agriculture. He succeeds Patil Yalagouda Shivanagouda, who was holding the post as an additional charge.
In another move, Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer serving as Joint Managing Director of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, has been transferred and appointed Director of MSME, Commerce and Industries Department.
These appointments are expected to support the state’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity while simultaneously encouraging industrial growth and entrepreneurship.
Akram Pasha Assigned to National Health Mission
Akram Pasha, a 2012-batch IAS officer who recently completed his tenure as Managing Director of KSRTC, has been appointed Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) and Directorate of Health.
He replaces Avinash Menon Rajendran in the role.
The assignment places him in charge of several critical healthcare programmes, public health initiatives and welfare schemes aimed at improving healthcare access and service delivery across Karnataka.
Given the increasing emphasis on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and preventive health services, the position carries significant administrative responsibility.
Municipal Administration and Greater Bengaluru Authority Get New Leadership
Nitish K., a 2015-batch IAS officer who had been awaiting posting, has been appointed Director of Municipal Administration.
In addition to this role, he has been given the concurrent charge of Special Commissioner (Health and Education) of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
He replaces Ravindra P.N. in Municipal Administration and succeeds Venkatachalapathy R. in the additional GBA role.
The government expects that placing both responsibilities under a single officer will improve coordination between civic governance, public health management and educational service delivery within urban areas.
New Assignment in Bagalkot District
At the district level, Gajanan Bale, a 2022-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, Bagalkot.
He replaces Sangappa, who had been holding the position as an additional charge.
Bale will continue to hold his existing responsibility as General Manager, Resettlement and Rehabilitation and Land Acquisition for the Upper Krishna Project.
Focus on Better Governance and Faster Implementation
The latest administrative reshuffle reflects Karnataka’s broader effort to optimise governance by strategically deploying officers across sectors that directly affect public service delivery.
With fresh leadership now in place at major institutions such as KSRTC, BMTC, the National Health Mission, the Tourism Department and various administrative wings, the government appears focused on strengthening coordination, improving accountability and accelerating execution of development programmes.
As these officers assume their new responsibilities, attention will now turn to how effectively the reshuffled administrative team delivers on the state’s priorities in transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, rural development and urban governance.
