In a move aimed at strengthening India’s Census and Citizen Registration apparatus, the Government of India, on June 2, 2025, appointed four senior officers — three from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and one from the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) — as Directors of Census Operations (DCO) and Directors of Citizen Registration (DCR) across four states and union territories.
The appointments, notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), will remain effective until December 31, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
List of Appointed Officers and Their Jurisdictions
-
J Nivas (IAS: 2010: AP)
Appointed as Director, Census Operations / Citizen Registration (Director level) for Andhra Pradesh. -
M Sundaresh Babu (IAS: 2012: KN)
Appointed as Director, Census Operations / Citizen Registration (Deputy Secretary level) for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. -
Nikhil Pavan Kalyan (IAS: 2012: OR)
Appointed as Director, Census Operations / Citizen Registration (Director level) for Odisha. -
Deep Shikha Sharma (IFoS: 2011: AGMUT)
Appointed as Director, Census Operations / Citizen Registration (Director level) for Himachal Pradesh.
DoPT Directs Prompt Relieving and Timely Reporting
The DoPT has issued instructions to the Chief Secretaries of the respective states and UTs to ensure that the officers are relieved immediately to take up their new assignments. As per the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) guidelines, officers are required to assume charge within three weeks of the order. Any delay could attract debarment from the Central Staffing Scheme.
Appointments Timed Ahead of Delayed Census Exercise
These key postings come as the Centre prepares for the much-delayed Census 2021, which has been repeatedly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical hurdles. The DCOs and DCRs will play a critical role in overseeing the collection, management, and verification of demographic and citizenship data, ensuring adherence to national norms and accuracy in reporting.
With diverse administrative experience, the newly appointed officers are expected to lead the execution of Census and National Population Register (NPR) activities in their respective regions, helping to advance one of India’s most significant data collection exercises.
