Madhya Pradesh Forest Department Set for Major Reshuffle as IFS Officers Kanchan Devi, Prakash Unhale Return from Deputation
The senior administrative structure of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is likely to undergo significant changes in 2027, with two senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, Kanchan Devi and Prakash Unhale, expected to return to their parent cadre after completing their respective deputations. Their return, coupled with the scheduled retirements of senior officers and the emergence of new promotion vacancies, could trigger a major reshuffle at the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) level.
Kanchan Devi, a 1991-batch IFS officer currently serving as Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, is expected to return to Madhya Pradesh in January 2027. Prakash Unhale, a 1996-batch officer posted as Additional Resident Commissioner at Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi, is likely to return to Bhopal in February 2027.
Both officers bring considerable administrative experience, and their return is expected to prompt a fresh allocation of key responsibilities within the state Forest Department. They may be considered for significant assignments at the PCCF level, although their eventual postings will depend on the state government’s decisions.
Kanchan Devi: First Woman IFS Officer to Head ICFRE
Kanchan Devi, a 1991-batch IFS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently heads the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, a premier national institution based in Dehradun.
She holds the distinction of being the first woman IFS officer in the country to serve as Director General of ICFRE. During her central deputation, she has been associated with the institution’s work in forestry research, education and related organisational initiatives.
Her expected return to Madhya Pradesh in January 2027 is likely to bring her extensive experience at the national level back into the state administration. Given her seniority and professional background, she may be considered for an important assignment at the PCCF level.
Her eventual role, however, will be determined by the state government after her return.
Prakash Unhale Likely to Return After Nearly a Decade in Delhi
Prakash Unhale, a 1996-batch IFS officer, is also expected to return to his parent cadre in February 2027 after spending nearly a decade in New Delhi.
He has been serving as Additional Resident Commissioner at Madhya Pradesh Bhawan since 2016. In this capacity, he has been involved in coordinating matters between the Madhya Pradesh government and the Central Government, besides handling administrative responsibilities relating to the state’s interests in the national capital.
Unhale is currently at the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) level. Following his return, he may be considered for promotion to the PCCF rank and could be assigned a significant responsibility at the Forest Department headquarters in Bhopal.
His experience in inter-governmental coordination and administrative affairs is expected to be an important consideration while determining his next assignment.
Two Senior Officers Set to Retire in 2027
The anticipated changes in the department’s senior hierarchy will also be influenced by the scheduled retirements of two senior IFS officers during 2027.
Vibhash Thakur, who is currently serving on deputation as Chief Executive Officer of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance, is scheduled to retire at the end of January 2027.
Bindu Sharma, presently posted as PCCF (Administration-1), is due to retire in July 2027.
Their retirements are expected to create additional vacancies and necessitate a fresh distribution of responsibilities among senior officers. These developments could have a direct bearing on the department’s administrative arrangements during the first half of 2027.
Two of the Ten PCCF-Level Posts Currently Vacant
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has a total of 10 PCCF-level positions, comprising five core-cadre posts and five non-cadre posts, the latter generally associated with deputation-related assignments.
According to the available information, two of the five non-cadre PCCF-level positions are currently vacant. The vacancies have reportedly remained unfilled due to the lack of eligible IFS officers available for appointment.
The situation is considered unusual, as such vacancies are reportedly being witnessed for the first time in nearly two decades.
The availability of officers meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria for promotion to the PCCF rank is therefore likely to remain a key factor in the department’s senior-level appointments.
Mohan Meena Facing Two Departmental Inquiries
Mohan Meena, a 1994-batch IFS officer currently serving as APCCF (Monitoring), is reportedly facing two departmental inquiries.
The status of these inquiries and their possible implications for his future assignments have not been specified. However, the matter has been mentioned in the context of the availability of officers for senior-level responsibilities within the department.
No conclusion regarding the outcome of the inquiries can be drawn from the information currently available.
1997-Batch IFS Officers to Become Eligible for PCCF Rank in June 2027
The promotion prospects of the 1997-batch IFS officers will be another significant factor shaping the department’s senior administrative structure.
These officers are yet to complete the stipulated 30 years of service required for consideration for promotion to the PCCF rank. They are expected to complete the qualifying service period in June 2027.
The officers from the 1997 batch mentioned in this context include:
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Kamalika Mohanta, Managing Director of the Minor Forest Produce Federation
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L. Krishnamurthy, APCCF (Wildlife)
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Ajay Yadav
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H.S. Mohanta
Their eligibility in June 2027 could expand the pool of officers available for consideration for senior-level promotions and appointments.
Major Administrative Changes Likely in 2027
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is heading towards a significant phase of administrative realignment. The expected return of Kanchan Devi in January and Prakash Unhale in February, along with the retirements of Vibhash Thakur and Bindu Sharma, is likely to create fresh opportunities for the redistribution of senior responsibilities.
The two vacant non-cadre PCCF-level positions and the forthcoming eligibility of 1997-batch officers will further influence the department’s promotion and posting decisions.
While the precise contours of the reshuffle remain to be determined, 2027 is likely to be an important year for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department’s senior leadership, with several changes potentially taking place at the PCCF and APCCF levels.
