Telangana major reshuffle : IAS Arvind Kumar transferred with no posting, Karimnagar gets new collector

Hyderabad: In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Telangana government has transferred 45 IAS officers across the state. Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao issued the G.O.Rt. No.290 on February 25.

The Strategic Reshuffle

This large-scale movement is not merely a routine rotation but a calculated effort to optimize administrative expertise and address long-standing vacancies. A major focus of this reshuffle is to streamline leadership within the newly reorganized municipal corporations of the Hyderabad metropolitan area and to appoint full-time officers where temporary "Full Additional Charge" (FAC) arrangements had been in place.

Key Appointments

Sanjay Kumar, IAS (1995): Formerly the Special Chief Secretary for Industries & Commerce and ITE&C, he has been moved to lead the Panchayat Raj & Rural Development (PR & RD) department.

N Sridhar, IAS (1997): Taking over the critical ITE&C and Industries & Commerce portfolios, he also retains the FAC for Mines & Geology. This positioning is vital as the state prepares to roll out its "Ease of Doing Business 2.0" strategy.

Sabyasachi Ghosh, IAS (1994): His existing role overseeing flagship welfare schemes has been expanded to officially include Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

M Dana Kishore, IAS (1996): He has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Disaster Management within the Revenue Department.

The Shuffle

Pamela Satpathy, IAS (2015), has been transferred from her role as the Collector & District Magistrate of Karimnagar. She is now posted as the Special Commissioner, Labour. This appointment effectively relieves Sri M. Dana Kishore, IAS (1996), from the Full Additional Charge (FAC) of the Commissioner, Labour post. Her vacancy in Karimnagar is being filled by Ms. Chitra Mishra, IAS (2019)

Arvind Kumar, IAS (1991), has been transferred from his position as Special Chief Secretary to Government (Disaster Management) in the Revenue Department. While the document confirms his transfer, it does not specify a new posting for him. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating alleged financial and procedural irregularities related to the Formula E race held in Hyderabad. It is alleged that approximately ₹55 crore was transferred from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to foreign entities without mandatory Cabinet or Finance Department approvals. On February 14, 2026, the Central Government (DoPT) reportedly granted sanction to prosecute Mr. Kumar in this case, clearing the way for the ACB to file a chargesheet. During questioning, Mr. Kumar stated that the payments were made following directions from the then-Minister to protect the state's brand image, while maintaining that there was no corrupt intent.

Urban Governance

A major highlight of this reshuffle is the stabilization of leadership for the newly formed municipal structures:

G Srijana, IAS (2013): Appointed Commissioner of the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation.

T Vinay Krishna Reddy, IAS (2013): Posted as Commissioner of the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.

R V Karnan, IAS (2012): Continues his tenure as the Commissioner of the reorganised GHMC.

The reshuffle also includes several new postings for Additional Collectors (Local Bodies) and District Collectors to strengthen ground-level administration.

Musharraf Ali Faruqui: Presently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of TGSPDCL, has been transferred and posted as the Chairman and Managing Director of the 3rd DISCOM.

Rahul Bojja: He was the Principal Secretary to the Government in the I&CAD Department, has been transferred to the position of Principal Secretary to Government (Political) within the General Administration Department. This move relieves E Sridhar, IAS (2004), from the Full Additional Charge (FAC) of that post. Furthermore, Rahul Bojja has been placed in FAC of the post of Principal Secretary to Government, BC Welfare Department, following the transfer of E Sridhar.

Why does the government initiate these transfers?

The official order explicitly cites the "exigency of administration" as the primary reason for these changes. Beyond this, several deep-seated administrative strategies are at play:

1. Performance-Based Alignment Reports: These reports indicate that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) conducted extensive performance reviews before the reshuffle. Officers were evaluated on departmental speed, file clearance rates, and their success in implementing flagship schemes. This reshuffle aligns high-performers with the government's current priority sectors like urban development and rural welfare.

2. Breaking Administrative Stagnation: By rotating officers who have served in the same position for over two years, the government prevents the formation of "vested interests" or local power centers. This ensures that the bureaucracy remains neutral, objective, and transparent.

3. Succession Planning and Retirement Gaps: With a significant number of senior IAS officers set to retire by the end of February 2026, these transfers serve as a critical component of succession planning. By moving experienced officers now, the government ensures continuity in key departments before senior-most roles become vacant.

4. Implementing New Policy Visions: As the state shifts its focus toward initiatives like "Telangana Vision 2047" and Industry 5.0, it requires leadership that is specifically suited to these modern challenges.

5. Operational Efficiency: One of the primary goals of this specific G.O. was to replace "in-charge" arrangements with full-time, dedicated officers. This provides departments with stable leadership, allowing for faster decision-making and better rhythm in policy execution.