IAS Saurabh Kumar Empanelled for Joint Secretary-Level Posts at Centre; IPS Officers Siddharth Bahuguna and Krishna Rao Boddepalli Appointed to CBI
The Central Government has announced a fresh set of senior bureaucratic appointments, clearing Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Saurabh Kumar for Joint Secretary-level positions in the Government of India while simultaneously appointing two experienced Indian Police Service (IPS) officers – Siddharth Bahuguna and Krishna Rao Boddepalli – to important assignments in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The decisions, approved through separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), are part of the Centre’s continuing exercise to strengthen leadership across key ministries and premier investigative institutions.
While Saurabh Kumar’s empanelment makes him eligible for some of the most significant policy-making assignments in the Union Government, the induction of Siddharth Bahuguna and Krishna Rao Boddepalli into the CBI brings two seasoned field officers into India’s premier investigating agency.
Saurabh Kumar Cleared for Joint Secretary-Level Positions
The Department of Personnel and Training has formally approved the empanelment of Saurabh Kumar (IAS:2009:Chhattisgarh cadre) for appointment to Joint Secretary or equivalent-level posts in the Government of India.
The empanelment marks an important milestone in the officer’s career, making him eligible to be considered for senior leadership positions across various ministries, departments, and central government organisations.
Joint Secretary is one of the most influential positions in the Union Government’s administrative structure. Officers at this level play a key role in policy formulation, programme implementation, inter-ministerial coordination, legislative matters, and strategic decision-making across a wide range of sectors.
With this approval, Saurabh Kumar joins the pool of senior IAS officers eligible to occupy these high-responsibility assignments whenever suitable vacancies arise.
Approval Comes After Earlier Omission
The latest empanelment carries added significance because Saurabh Kumar’s name had not figured in the earlier list of 2009-batch IAS officers cleared for Joint Secretary-level empanelment.
His exclusion had drawn attention within bureaucratic circles, particularly since officers of the same batch had already been granted empanelment for higher responsibilities at the Centre.
The fresh approval effectively removes that anomaly and places Kumar among the eligible officers who can now be considered for Joint Secretary or equivalent positions in the Union Government.
For officers serving on central deputation, empanelment at this level is widely regarded as a crucial step in career progression, opening the door to senior policy-making roles across ministries handling finance, infrastructure, commerce, agriculture, internal security, social welfare, and several other sectors.
Currently Serving in the Department of Revenue
At present, Saurabh Kumar is serving on Central deputation as Director in the Department of Revenue, one of the key departments under the Ministry of Finance.
He assumed the assignment in June 2025 under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of five years.
During his tenure at the Centre, he has been associated with important matters concerning revenue administration, financial governance, and policy implementation. His current experience is expected to further strengthen his credentials as he becomes eligible for higher responsibilities within the Government of India.
His empanelment reflects the Centre’s confidence in his administrative experience and readiness for more strategic assignments.
IPS Officer Siddharth Bahuguna Appointed DIG in CBI
In another important decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Siddharth Bahuguna (IPS:2010:Madhya Pradesh cadre) as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The appointment has been approved on central deputation for a period of five years from the date he assumes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The posting places Bahuguna in one of the country’s most prestigious investigative organisations, where DIG-rank officers supervise sensitive criminal investigations, corruption cases, economic offences, special crime investigations, and matters involving inter-state and national significance.
His extensive experience in policing and field administration is expected to add strength to the agency’s investigative leadership.
Experienced Officer From Madhya Pradesh
Before being selected for the CBI, Siddharth Bahuguna was serving as Deputy Inspector General, Khargone Range, Madhya Pradesh.
During his career in the State police, he has handled a variety of operational and supervisory responsibilities involving law and order management, crime control, investigations, intelligence coordination, and district policing.
His move to the CBI represents another significant milestone in his professional career as he transitions from state policing to investigations at the national level.
Krishna Rao Boddepalli Named Superintendent of Police in CBI
The Centre has also approved the appointment of Krishna Rao Boddepalli (IPS:2014:Andhra Pradesh cadre) as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Like Bahuguna, Boddepalli has been appointed on central deputation for a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders.
The appointment will see him join the CBI’s cadre of officers responsible for leading investigations into corruption, organised crime, financial fraud, cybercrime, and other cases entrusted to the agency.
The position of Superintendent of Police is considered one of the most important operational ranks within the CBI, with officers directly supervising investigative teams and high-profile cases.
Currently Serving in Andhra Pradesh
Prior to his selection for central deputation, Krishna Rao Boddepalli was serving as Superintendent of Police, Palnadu District, Andhra Pradesh.
During his tenure in the district, he handled policing, crime prevention, public order, and administrative responsibilities while leading the district police force.
His appointment to the CBI reflects the Centre’s effort to induct experienced IPS officers with strong field backgrounds into the country’s premier investigative agency.
States Directed to Relieve Officers Promptly
Following the appointments, the Ministry of Home Affairs has requested the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh to relieve the two IPS officers within three weeks from the date of issuance of the appointment orders.
The directive is intended to ensure that both officers can report for duty at the CBI without unnecessary delay and begin their central assignments as scheduled.
Once relieved by their respective state governments, Siddharth Bahuguna and Krishna Rao Boddepalli will formally assume charge of their new positions.
Important Step in the Centre’s Administrative Strengthening
The latest set of appointments reflects the Union Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen senior leadership across ministries as well as specialised investigative agencies.
Empanelment of experienced IAS officers for Joint Secretary-level responsibilities ensures that ministries have a ready pool of officers capable of handling complex policy, governance, and administrative challenges at the national level.
At the same time, bringing accomplished IPS officers into the CBI enhances the agency’s investigative capacity by adding officers with extensive field experience in policing, criminal investigations, law enforcement, and operational leadership.
Fresh Responsibilities Await the Officers
For Saurabh Kumar, the empanelment represents an important advancement in his administrative career, expanding his opportunities to serve in senior policy-making roles within the Union Government.
For Siddharth Bahuguna and Krishna Rao Boddepalli, the appointments mark the beginning of new assignments in one of India’s most important investigative institutions, where they will be expected to contribute to high-profile investigations and strengthen the CBI’s operational capabilities.
Collectively, these decisions underscore the Centre’s emphasis on placing experienced civil servants and police officers in positions of greater responsibility, ensuring that key institutions continue to benefit from seasoned administrative and investigative leadership.
