In a notable administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has sanctioned the appointments of IAS officers Ira Singhal and Ramesh Verma to pivotal positions under the Central Staffing Scheme, according to official directives issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).
Ira Singhal Named Deputy Secretary in Ministry of Education
Ms. Ira Singhal, a 2015-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education. Her posting is on Central Deputation for a tenure of four years from the date she assumes charge, or until further orders—whichever comes earlier.
The Ministry of Home Affairs recommended her for the role, and her current department has been instructed to relieve her to enable her transition to the new assignment in New Delhi.
Ramesh Verma Appointed Director in Ministry of Youth Affairs
In parallel, Mr. Ramesh Verma, a 2009-batch IAS officer also from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Director in the Department of Youth Affairs, specifically within the My Bharat Division. His tenure will span five years from the date of assumption of charge or until further notice.
His appointment, too, was recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and he is to be relieved of his existing responsibilities to take up the new role in New Delhi.
Profile: Ira Singhal – A Trailblazer for Inclusive Governance
Ms. Singhal is celebrated for her groundbreaking achievement of securing All India Rank 1 in the 2014 UPSC Civil Services Examination, becoming the first woman with a locomotor disability to top the exam.
Despite being denied entry into the service in 2010 and 2011 due to her 62% locomotor disability caused by scoliosis, she pursued a legal battle and won a landmark judgment from the Central Administrative Tribunal, which mandated her inclusion in the civil services.
Academic and Professional Credentials:
Holds a degree in Engineering and an MBA
Former Strategy Manager at Cadbury India
Left the corporate sector to pursue her passion for public service through the UPSC
Ms. Singhal is also a prominent advocate for disability rights, actively working to promote accessibility and inclusion within India’s public policy framework.
Profile: Ramesh Verma – Veteran Administrator with a Focus on Youth Engagement
Mr. Verma has built a robust career in both the Delhi Government and Union services, holding several high-impact roles. As a 2009-batch IAS officer, his previous assignments include:
Chairman, Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB)
Chief Electoral Officer, Election Commission of India
Born on September 30, 1976, Mr. Verma holds a B.Sc. in Physics and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer. A fluent Hindi speaker, he brings deep expertise in policy execution and electoral administration to the My Bharat Division, which is dedicated to youth empowerment and fostering civic engagement across the nation.
These appointments reflect a strategic move to strengthen governance in education and youth development, with both officers bringing unique perspectives and proven leadership to their new roles.
