ACC Clears Major Bureaucratic Appointments: Atul Kumar Thakur, Pankaj Kumar Singh Named CBI Joint Directors; Saurabh Garg Gets One-Year Extension
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a fresh round of senior-level bureaucratic appointments, tenure extensions, deputation-related decisions and repatriation orders involving officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Statistical Service (ISS), Indian Postal & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS), Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and other central services.
Among the most significant decisions is the appointment of two senior IPS officers – Atul Kumar Thakur and Pankaj Kumar Singh – as Joint Directors in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The ACC has also extended the contractual tenure of former IAS officer Saurabh Garg as Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), while approving deputation extensions for officers serving in the Election Commission of India and the Ministry of Defence.
The latest approvals are aimed at ensuring administrative continuity, strengthening institutional leadership and maintaining stability across several key departments of the Government of India.
Atul Kumar Thakur Elevated as Joint Director, CBI
One of the key decisions approved by the ACC is the elevation of Atul Kumar Thakur, a 2008-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Thakur is presently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the country’s premier investigative agency.
According to the ACC order, his appointment as Joint Director has been approved for an overall tenure of seven years, extending up to November 24, 2028.
Having already served in the CBI in a senior investigative role, his elevation is expected to further strengthen the agency’s leadership and operational capabilities in handling complex investigations.
Pankaj Kumar Singh Also Appointed Joint Director in CBI
The ACC has simultaneously approved the appointment of another AGMUT cadre IPS officer, Pankaj Kumar Singh, as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Like Thakur, Singh belongs to the 2008 batch of the Indian Police Service and has been serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the CBI.
His appointment has also been approved for an overall tenure of seven years, with his deputation continuing until December 5, 2028.
The appointments of both officers are expected to provide continuity in the CBI’s senior leadership at a time when the agency continues to handle several high-profile investigations involving corruption, economic offences and other serious crimes.
Saurabh Garg Gets Second Extension as MoSPI Secretary
In another important decision, the ACC has approved a second extension of the contractual appointment of Saurabh Garg, a retired 1991-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, as Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Garg’s tenure has been extended by one more year beyond July 31, 2026.
He will now continue in office until July 31, 2027.
The extension ensures continuity in the leadership of the ministry responsible for compiling national statistical data, conducting large-scale surveys and monitoring implementation of major government programmes.
IRS Officer Rahul Kumar Appointed OSD to Minister Kamlesh Paswan
The ACC has also approved the appointment of Rahul Kumar, a 2016-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan.
He has been appointed in the Department of Rural Development at the level of Deputy Secretary.
According to the order, Rahul Kumar will continue in the assignment up to February 6, 2030, providing administrative and policy support to the Minister of State.
Election Commission Director Krishna Kumar Tiwari Gets Two-Year Extension
The tenure of Krishna Kumar Tiwari, a 2011-batch officer of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) serving as Director in the Election Commission of India, has also been extended.
The ACC has approved a two-year extension of his central deputation.
His tenure, originally scheduled to end on September 30, 2026, will now continue until September 30, 2028.
Tiwari has been serving on central deputation in the Election Commission since October 1, 2021, and the extension will ensure continuity in one of the country’s key constitutional institutions.
Defence Ministry Director Sanap Bajirao Ramnath Retained
Another officer whose deputation has been extended is Sanap Bajirao Ramnath, a 2011-batch officer of the Indian Postal & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS).
Currently serving as Director in the Ministry of Defence, his tenure has been extended by two years.
He will now remain in the post until September 22, 2028, instead of completing his deputation in September 2026.
Sanap has been serving in the Defence Ministry on central deputation since September 23, 2021.
Anshu Manish Khalkho Repatriated to Parent Cadre
The ACC has also approved the premature repatriation of Anshu Manish Khalkho, a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS).
Khalkho had been serving as Director (Administration & Finance) in the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Under the latest order, he has been repatriated to his parent cadre before completion of his deputation tenure.
The order also specifies an extended cooling-off condition following his return.
Deputy Director Post at SVPNPA Upgraded
In another administrative decision, the ACC has approved the temporary upgradation of the post presently held by M Tamilvanan, a 2008-batch IPS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad.
The officer is currently serving as Deputy Director at the National Police Academy.
The ACC has upgraded the post to the level of Joint Director for an initial period of two years, reflecting the growing administrative responsibilities associated with police training and leadership development at India’s premier police academy.
Strengthening Leadership Across Key Institutions
The latest ACC decisions span several important ministries and institutions of the Union Government.
The approvals cover appointments, deputation extensions and administrative restructuring across:
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
Department of Rural Development
Election Commission of India
Ministry of Defence
National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA)
These decisions are part of the Centre’s ongoing effort to maintain continuity in leadership while ensuring experienced officers continue to serve in critical administrative and investigative roles.
Focus on Continuity and Administrative Stability
Appointments cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet often have a significant bearing on the functioning of major government institutions, particularly those responsible for governance, public administration, investigations, elections and national policymaking.
By approving senior appointments in the CBI, extending the tenures of experienced officers in strategic ministries and constitutional bodies, and restructuring leadership positions where required, the ACC has sought to strengthen institutional capacity across multiple sectors of government.
With these latest decisions, several experienced civil servants will continue to occupy key positions in the Union Government, ensuring continuity in administration while supporting the implementation of policy, governance reforms and institutional priorities in the years ahead.
