Kamal Saxena Gets Two-Year Extension as Joint Secretary at UPSC Under Central Deputation Scheme
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a two-year extension in the Central deputation tenure of Shri Kamal Saxena, IOFS (2005), who is serving as Joint Secretary at the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at the Director level. The extension will keep him in the post beyond his existing deputation tenure, which was scheduled to end on September 27, 2026.
According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Office of the Establishment Officer, the ACC has approved the proposal of the Union Public Service Commission to extend Saxena’s Central deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme for another two years. The extended tenure will run from September 28, 2026, up to September 27, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
ACC Approves Extension of Central Deputation
The decision follows a proposal from the Union Public Service Commission seeking continuation of Kamal Saxena’s Central deputation tenure. The UPSC had forwarded its proposal through letter No. A-35021/01/2018-Admn.I dated September 15, 2026, requesting an extension in his tenure as Joint Secretary at the Director level.
The DoPT memorandum states that the ACC has approved the proposal for an extension of two years beyond September 27, 2026. The extension takes effect from September 28, 2026, and will remain valid until September 27, 2028, subject to the condition that it can end earlier if further orders are issued.
This means Saxena will continue to serve at the UPSC under the Central Staffing Scheme for the approved additional period, unless the government issues an order changing the arrangement before the completion of the two-year extension.
Kamal Saxena Has Been on Central Deputation Since September 2021
The DoPT order also records the date from which Kamal Saxena has been counting his Central deputation tenure. According to the memorandum, Saxena has been on Central deputation with effect from September 28, 2021.
His present extension therefore represents a continuation of a Central deputation tenure that began five years earlier. With the newly approved extension, his deputation period is set to continue until September 27, 2028, unless an earlier government order alters the tenure.
The order specifically identifies Saxena as an IOFS (2005) officer. He is currently serving as Joint Secretary (Director level), Union Public Service Commission, and the extension has been approved under the Central Staffing Scheme.
What Is the Central Staffing Scheme?
The Central Staffing Scheme provides the framework through which eligible officers from different organised services and cadres are appointed to positions in the Central government on deputation. Officers serving under the scheme can be posted to important assignments at the Centre for specified periods, subject to the applicable rules and approvals.
In Saxena’s case, the ACC has approved the extension following a formal proposal from the UPSC. The DoPT has subsequently issued the Office Memorandum communicating the approval and recording the revised period of deputation.
The order does not mention any change in Saxena’s present designation or assignment. He will continue as Joint Secretary at the Director level in the Union Public Service Commission for the approved extended period.
Extension Begins From September 28, 2026
The timing of the approval is particularly important because Saxena’s existing Central deputation tenure was due to end on September 27, 2026. The new extension begins immediately from September 28, 2026, ensuring continuity in his Central deputation assignment.
The ACC has approved the extension for two years beyond September 27, 2026, and up to September 27, 2028. The order also carries the standard condition that the tenure will continue only until further orders if an earlier decision is taken by the competent authority.
In practical terms, the approved extension provides for another two years of service at the UPSC under the Central Staffing Scheme, subject to the terms specified in the DoPT memorandum.
UPSC Had Sought the Extension
The proposal for the extension originated with the Union Public Service Commission. The DoPT memorandum specifically refers to the UPSC’s letter dated September 15, 2026, on the subject of Saxena’s Central deputation tenure.
The Commission’s proposal was subsequently considered by the competent authorities, and the ACC approved the continuation of Saxena’s deputation for the additional two-year period.
The sequence reflects the administrative process involved in extending the Central deputation of an officer serving at a senior level in a constitutional body such as the UPSC. The final approval has been formally communicated through the Department of Personnel and Training.
Order Issued by Department of Personnel and Training
The Office Memorandum has been issued by the Office of the Establishment Officer under the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. The document carries file number No. 21/2/2021-EO(MM-I) and was issued from Kartavya Bhavan-03, New Delhi, in October 2026.
The memorandum is marked as “IMMEDIATE”, reflecting the need to communicate the decision concerning the officer’s continuation beyond the expiry of his existing deputation period.
The communication is addressed to the Union Public Service Commission through its Secretary, Shri Shashi Ranjan Kumar, at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi. The order has been signed by Ajit Kumar Ranjan, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India.
Copy Sent to Key Government Offices
The DoPT has also circulated copies of the order to several important government offices and departments for information and necessary record. These include the Prime Minister’s Office, where the copy has been marked to Ms Manmeet Kaur, Director, South Block, New Delhi. A copy has also been sent to the Cabinet Secretariat through Joint Secretary Ms Kavita Singh.
The Department of Defence Production has also been included in the circulation, with a copy addressed to Secretary Sanjeev Kumar. Other copies have been marked to the Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Personnel, the Principal Staff Officer to the Secretary (Personnel), the Principal Private Secretary to the Establishment Officer, the Under Secretary concerned and the Section Officer handling MM-I matters. The guard file has also been included in the distribution list for official record.
The ACC’s decision ensures that Kamal Saxena’s Central deputation at the Union Public Service Commission continues beyond the expiry of his existing tenure. His extension has been approved for a clearly defined two-year period, beginning immediately after the completion of his current tenure on September 27, 2026.
The order does not indicate any change in his present role as Joint Secretary at the Director level. It also does not mention a new assignment or change in responsibilities. The decision is specifically focused on extending his Central deputation tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme.
For the UPSC, the approval provides continuity in the officer’s existing assignment. For Saxena, it extends his Central deputation through September 27, 2028, subject to the condition that the tenure may end earlier if further orders are issued.
The latest DoPT memorandum therefore formally records the ACC’s approval for Shri Kamal Saxena, IOFS (2005), to continue serving as Joint Secretary at the Union Public Service Commission for another two years under the Central Staffing Scheme. His extended tenure will run from September 28, 2026, to September 27, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
