IAS Officer Jitender Yadav Given Additional Charge as Lakshadweep Census Director in Key Governance Move
In another major administrative development rolling out from the capital, the Central Government has officially assigned senior IAS officer Jitender Yadav additional responsibilities to lead census and registration operations in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
A formal Office Memorandum dispatched by the Department of Personnel and Training under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions confirms that Yadav will take on the dual role of Director of Census Operations alongside Director of Citizen Registration for the archipelago.
This high level appointment falls under the umbrella of the Central Staffing Scheme, further strengthening the central administrative footprint in managing key demographic frameworks across island territories.
The official communication, tracked under file number F. No. 6/36/2026-EO(MM-I) and issued from Kartavya Bhawan-3 in New Delhi, confirms that the Competent Authority has formally sanctioned the additional charge arrangement. Belonging to the 2010 batch of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre, Yadav is set to hold this director level post for a tenure of three years starting from the exact date he formally assumes charge, or until the government provides further directives down the line.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, has been formally requested to instruct Yadav to take over his new assignment smoothly while keeping all relevant administrative bodies updated.
Taking on the twin mandates of Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration gives Yadav primary oversight over vital population tracking, civil registration systems, and statistical mapping across the island groups. Given Lakshadweep’s unique geographical spread and distinct logistical requirements, maintaining precise demographic data requires careful planning and specialized operational leadership.
In this extra capacity, Yadav will work in close coordination with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, currently headed by senior administrator Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, ensuring that all central demographic standards and survey preparations are seamlessly executed on the ground.
Administrative protocols surrounding this appointment remain strict, with explicit emphasis placed on prompt execution and compliance with established government guidelines.
The official memorandum highlights key directions set by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet through DoP&T circular number 3/4/2004-EO(MM-I), dating back to August 2005. Under these mandatory guidelines, any officer designated for a post under the Central Staffing Scheme must assume charge within a strict three week timeline from the date the appointment order is issued.
Should an officer fail to join within this stipulated three week window without prior approval, the central authority automatically initiates formal debarment proceedings under Central Staffing Scheme rules.
The administrative directive bears the official signature of Director Annies Kanmani Joy, who issued the memorandum on behalf of the Establishment Officer’s setup. Copies of the comprehensive order have been dispatched across crucial bureaucratic channels to ensure full operational alignment during the transition.
Key recipients of the memorandum include the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, who will issue the formal notification of appointment upon Yadav taking charge, along with the Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Personnel, the Principal Private Secretary to the Establishment Officer, and the Ministry of Home Affairs for direct transmission to the officer.
For Jitender Yadav, who has accumulated extensive experience working across various UT administrations and central setups since joining the civil services in 2010, this additional responsibility marks another significant addition to his administrative profile.
Balancing his existing duties alongside managing demographic intelligence and population records for Lakshadweep demands sharp administrative coordination between central ministries, local island administration offices, and statistical authorities.
As the formal paperwork makes its way through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Yadav is expected to assume his new duties promptly at Kartavya Bhawan’s administrative node to begin overseeing these crucial territorial data operations.
