A Sudden Departure: Senior IAS Officer Amod Kumar’s Early VRS Sends Shockwaves Through Uttar Pradesh Bureaucracy
In a development that has drawn considerable attention across Uttar Pradesh’s administrative establishment, senior IAS officer Amod Kumar of the 1995 batch has chosen to take voluntary retirement nearly six years before his official date of superannuation in 2031. His Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) request, approved by the Appointments Department, will take effect on November 25. Although the move has been formally explained as arising from personal circumstances, it has nonetheless ignited extensive conversations within both bureaucratic and political circles in the state.
Rapid Action Following Chief Minister’s Consent
After receiving the Chief Minister’s approval, the Appointments Department moved quickly to issue the official retirement order. The department also began the mandatory process of informing the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) at the central level. The swift procedural response reflects the government’s emphasis on transparency and adherence to administrative norms.
Return from Central Deputation Preceded VRS Request
Mr. Amod Kumar had been on central deputation since December 6, 2021. He returned to Uttar Pradesh on November 13, following an early repatriation that he sought due to family-related reasons. Shortly after his return to the state cadre, he submitted his application for voluntary retirement, marking a notably quick shift from central responsibilities to an exit from service.
A Noteworthy Career Spanning Key Leadership Roles
Over the course of his long and influential career, Mr. Amod Kumar held several crucial positions that shaped administrative processes across Uttar Pradesh. Notably, he served as Secretary to the Chief Minister during the Samajwadi Party government under Akhilesh Yadav, a role that placed him at the core of policy implementation and governance.
He also held prominent positions such as:
Principal Secretary, Planning and General Administration
Member (Judicial), Revenue Council
District Magistrate of Sitapur and Faizabad (Ayodhya)
His administrative journey is widely regarded as one marked by reform-oriented work, developmental contributions, and leadership across diverse state departments.
A Rising Wave of VRS Among Senior IAS Officers
Mr. Amod Kumar’s decision adds to an observable trend of senior IAS officers in Uttar Pradesh opting for early voluntary retirement. This pattern—often linked to increasing work pressures, changing personal priorities, or shifts in the bureaucratic environment—includes several notable officers such as:
Renuka Kumar (1987 batch)
Juthika Patankar (1988 batch)
Vikas Gothwal (2003 batch)
Rigzin Samphel (2003 batch)
Srinivasulu (2005 batch)
Vidyabhushan (2008 batch)
The growing number of senior officers exiting the service early signals evolving dynamics within the state’s administrative structure and hints at deeper transitions shaping high-level governance in Uttar Pradesh.
