Santosh Gopal Ajmera, InfoS 2008, Repatriated from UPSC to Parent Cadre to Avail Promotion Benefits
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has approved the premature repatriation of Santosh Gopal Ajmera, a 2008-batch Indian Information Service (InfoS) officer, from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to his parent cadre to enable him to avail the benefit of promotion. Ajmera is currently serving as Joint Secretary at the UPSC at the Director level and has now been directed to return to his parent cadre.
The decision follows a proposal submitted by the Union Public Service Commission and has been approved by the Competent Authority. According to the DoPT communication, Ajmera may be relieved of his duties immediately so that he can report back to his parent cadre and avail the promotion-related benefits for which his premature repatriation has been approved.
DoPT Approves Premature Repatriation
The decision has been communicated through an official letter issued by the Office of the Establishment Officer under the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. The communication carries file number No. 21/3/2024-EO(MM-I) and is addressed to the Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi.
The letter refers to the UPSC’s communication bearing No. A-19011/06/2024-Admn.I dated September 17, 2026. The UPSC had sought approval for the premature repatriation of Ajmera from his present assignment at the Commission to his parent cadre so that he could avail the benefit of promotion.
After consideration of the proposal, the Competent Authority has approved the request. The DoPT has accordingly asked the UPSC to relieve Ajmera of his duties immediately and enable him to report to his parent cadre.
Ajmera Currently Serving as Joint Secretary at UPSC
Santosh Gopal Ajmera is currently posted as Joint Secretary at the Union Public Service Commission at the Director level. His assignment at UPSC has placed him in a senior administrative position within the constitutional body responsible for conducting recruitment examinations and selection processes for several key posts under the Government of India.
The Joint Secretary-level assignment at UPSC involves handling important administrative and organisational responsibilities within the Commission. Officers working at this level are part of the senior administrative framework supporting the Commission’s functioning and its various activities related to recruitment, examinations and personnel matters.
Ajmera’s current assignment will now come to an early end following the approval of his repatriation. The DoPT order does not indicate any disciplinary or administrative issue behind the decision. Instead, it clearly states that the repatriation has been approved to enable the officer to avail the benefit of promotion in his parent cadre.
Repatriation Linked to Promotion
The key feature of the order is the reason cited for Ajmera’s premature repatriation. The Competent Authority has approved his return to the parent cadre specifically “to avail the benefit of promotion”.
This means that the officer’s return from the central assignment is connected with his career progression in his parent cadre. Rather than completing the normal tenure of his assignment at the UPSC, Ajmera will now be relieved so that the promotion-related process in his parent organisation or cadre can take effect.
The DoPT communication does not specify the particular designation or level to which Ajmera is being promoted. It also does not mention the date from which the promotion will take effect. The document is limited to approving his premature repatriation and directing that he be relieved from his UPSC duties.
Immediate Relieving Ordered
The communication from DoPT specifically requests the Secretary of the UPSC to relieve Ajmera of his duties immediately. Following his release from the Commission, he has been directed to report to his parent cadre.
The wording of the order makes it clear that there is no requirement for Ajmera to remain at UPSC until the completion of his existing assignment. The premature repatriation has been formally approved, allowing the officer to return to his parent cadre without waiting for the originally scheduled end of his tenure.
Once relieved, the officer’s administrative association with the UPSC in his present capacity will come to an end. His next steps will be governed by the applicable rules and orders of his parent cadre, particularly in relation to the promotion for which his repatriation has been approved.
2008-Batch Indian Information Service Officer
Ajmera belongs to the 2008 batch of the Indian Information Service, abbreviated in the DoPT communication as lInfoS. The Indian Information Service forms part of the government’s professional communication and information framework, with officers serving in various ministries, departments and government organisations.
Over the course of their careers, officers of the service can be assigned to different government institutions and organisations depending on administrative requirements and their roles. Central postings can involve responsibilities related to public communication, information dissemination, media coordination and other government information functions.
Ajmera’s current position at the UPSC is described in the DoPT communication as Joint Secretary at the Director level. His premature return to the parent cadre now marks another stage in his career progression, with the immediate objective being to enable him to receive the benefit of promotion.
UPSC Proposal Led to DoPT Approval
The process began with the Union Public Service Commission, which sent its proposal to the Department of Personnel and Training through a letter dated September 17, 2026. The proposal sought premature repatriation of Ajmera to his parent cadre.
The DoPT subsequently considered the proposal and communicated the decision to the UPSC. The letter states that the Competent Authority has approved the UPSC’s proposal, thereby clearing the officer’s premature repatriation.
The order has been signed by Ajit Kumar Ranjan, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. The communication also carries the official email address of the concerned office for administrative correspondence.
Order Circulated to Senior Personnel Authorities
Copies of the DoPT communication have been forwarded for information and necessary action to the relevant personnel authorities. These include the PS to the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and the PSO to the Secretary (Personnel).
Copies have also been marked to the PPS to the Establishment Officer and Director (SM), the concerned Under Secretary and the Panel Desk dealing with the matter. The Guard File has also been included in the circulation.
The distribution of the order ensures that the relevant offices are informed about the approved repatriation and the immediate relieving of the officer from his present assignment.
What Happens Next for Santosh Gopal Ajmera?
With the Competent Authority’s approval now in place, Santosh Gopal Ajmera is expected to be relieved from his Joint Secretary-level assignment at the UPSC and report to his parent cadre. The DoPT communication does not announce his subsequent posting or provide details of the promotion that he is expected to avail.
For the moment, the central government order is focused on one specific administrative decision – bringing the 2008-batch InfoS officer back to his parent cadre before the completion of his tenure at UPSC. The stated purpose is to allow him to avail the benefit of promotion.
The development therefore marks a change in Ajmera’s present assignment rather than a routine completion of his deputation. His tenure at the Union Public Service Commission will end prematurely following the approval, while his return to the parent cadre will facilitate the next stage of his career progression.
