Punjab and Haryana Witness Surge in Marriage-Based Inter-Cadre Transfers: 66 IAS and IPS Officers Shift Cadres, Haryana Emerges as Preferred Choice
Chandigarh/New Delhi: A remarkable surge in marriage-based inter-cadre transfers among IAS and IPS officers has created one of the largest clusters of civil service couples in the country, concentrated in Punjab and Haryana.
According to official and administrative sources, at least 66 IAS and IPS officers are currently serving in these two states following transfers granted on marital grounds. While such transfers are permitted under existing service rules, the sheer scale and concentration of these postings have sparked discussions within bureaucratic and political circles about cadre management, institutional balance, and the growing influence of so-called “power couples” in governance.
Rules Governing Marriage-Based Transfers
Under prevailing service regulations, inter-cadre transfers are allowed on marriage grounds, subject to approval by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). However, transfers cannot be made to an officer’s home state, a restriction designed to preserve administrative neutrality.
In most cases, officers are shifted to the cadre of their spouse, ensuring family stability while balancing service requirements. Each case is considered individually and requires clearance at the central level.
Haryana Emerges as the Most Preferred Cadre
Among the two states, Haryana has emerged as the most preferred cadre, witnessing a steady influx of officers from other states following marriage.
Several IAS officers from West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Assam-Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have moved to Haryana in recent years. Observers attribute Haryana’s popularity to its proximity to Delhi, career exposure opportunities, and strong institutional profile.
Recent IAS and IPS Transfers to Haryana (2024–2025)
A series of high-profile transfers to Haryana have taken place in the last two years:
Utsav Anand (IAS, 2022 batch): Transferred from Uttar Pradesh to Haryana in January 2025 after marrying Anjali Shrotriya (IAS, Haryana cadre).
Rahul Modi (IAS, 2020 batch): Moved from Tripura to Haryana in September 2023 after marrying Deepti Garg (IPS, Haryana cadre).
Anupama Anjali (IAS, 2018 batch): Shifted from Andhra Pradesh to Haryana.
Renu Sogan (IAS, 2019 batch): Transferred from West Bengal to Haryana.
Shantanu Sharma (IAS, 2020 batch): Moved from Assam-Meghalaya to Haryana.
Amrinder Singh (IPS, 2021 batch): Shifted from Uttar Pradesh to Haryana in March 2024.
Kaanchi Singhal (IPS, 2022 batch): Transferred from Tamil Nadu to Haryana in October 2024.
Punjab Also Witnesses Influx of Officers
Punjab has also seen a number of officers transferred on marriage grounds, particularly in the IPS cadre:
Aditya S Waiter (IPS, 2020 batch): Transferred from Manipur to Punjab in 2022.
Vaibhav Choudhary (IPS, 2020 batch): Moved from Bihar to Punjab.
Akarshi Jain (IPS, 2020 batch): Transferred from Karnataka to Punjab in 2023.
Debate on Cadre Management and Balance
While marriage-based transfers are legally permitted and rooted in compassionate considerations, the clustering of officers in Punjab and Haryana has raised concerns in administrative circles.
Experts caution that large-scale concentration of officers in specific cadres may disrupt regional cadre balance, promotion pipelines, and institutional diversity. Others argue that the trend reflects evolving social dynamics within the civil services, where dual-career couples are increasingly common.
DoPT’s Role in Maintaining Equilibrium
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) continues to play a central role in evaluating and approving such transfers. Officials emphasize that while personal circumstances are taken into account, institutional requirements and cadre stability remain critical factors in decision-making.
Long-Term Administrative Planning
The rise in marriage-based inter-cadre transfers in Punjab and Haryana highlights a changing social and professional landscape within India’s civil services. While the policy supports family unity, the growing concentration of IAS and IPS couples has sparked a broader debate on cadre management, governance balance, and long-term administrative planning.
As this trend continues, it is expected to remain under close scrutiny within both bureaucratic and policy-making circles, shaping future discussions on cadre allocation and institutional equilibrium.
