In a major move ahead of upcoming administrative reforms, the Himachal Pradesh government has carried out a large-scale bureaucratic reshuffle. In an official notification issued on Sunday, a total of 17 IAS officers and 5 HAS officers have been transferred and posted across various departments and districts. Notably, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of three important districts — Bilaspur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Hamirpur — have been replaced. This sudden reshuffle is seen as an attempt to bring more agility, transparency, and effectiveness to the administrative machinery of the state.

Among the significant transfers, Dr. Nipun Jindal, IAS (2014 batch), who was already serving as Director, Ayush, Himachal Pradesh, will now continue to hold the additional charge of Director, Digital Technologies and Governance, and Managing Director, HRTC, Shimla. His multi-departmental role signals the state government’s trust in his capabilities to handle multiple portfolios effectively.

Abid Hussain Sadiq, IAS (2014 batch), who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Bilaspur, has now been appointed as the Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. This move comes alongside the reassignment of Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, IAS (2012 batch), who will no longer be holding the additional charge previously associated with this post.

Rohit Jamwal, IAS (2014 batch), has been given an important role as Secretary (Finance) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh. He will continue to oversee the posts of Director, Public Finance and Public Enterprises, along with the additional responsibilities in Lotteries and Ayush sectors.

Pradeep Kumar Thakur, IAS (2014 batch), who was serving as Settlement Officer in Shimla Division, has now been appointed as Mission Director of the National Health Mission. This decision reflects the importance the government is giving to public health services post-pandemic, especially at the administrative leadership level.

Further, Priyanka Verma, IAS (2015 batch), has been posted as DC Sirmaur, National Health Mission, whereas Rima Kashyap, IAS (2015 batch), will now serve as Managing Director of HP Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. Both these officers are among the younger dynamic officers known for their effective service records.

Sumit Khimta, IAS (2015 batch), previously the Deputy Commissioner of Sirmaur at Nahan, has been posted as Director of the Department of Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, and Specially Abled Persons, Himachal Pradesh. His past experience in handling social sectors would help him in carrying forward the inclusive welfare programs of the government.

Rahul Kumar, IAS (2016 batch), who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul & Spiti at Keylong, has now been posted as Deputy Commissioner of Bilaspur. This change marks an important shift in the leadership of the Bilaspur district, which has strategic importance for the state’s infrastructure and power sectors.

In an important administrative move in Dharamshala, Zaffar Iqbal, IAS (2017 batch), has been appointed Commissioner of Dharamshala Municipal Corporation and will additionally hold the charge of Managing Director, Dharamshala Smart City Ltd., and Managing Director, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. He replaces Aditya Negi, IAS (2013 batch), who was previously handling the additional charge.

Kiran Bhadana, IAS (2016 batch), Director of the Department of Empowerment of SCs, OBCs, Minorities, and Specially Abled, Himachal Pradesh, has been shifted to serve as Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul & Spiti at Keylong. Her new role comes with high expectations to promote tribal welfare and drive sustainable development initiatives in the region.

Dr. Pankaj Lalit, IAS (2018 batch), currently serving as Director, Language, Art and Culture, Shimla, will now also act as Director, Women and Child Development, Himachal Pradesh. His leadership is expected to enhance cultural integration with developmental policies focusing on women and children.

Among younger officers, Ritika, IAS (2019 batch), has been posted as Commissioner, Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, District Kangra, and will also manage Dharamshala Smart City Ltd. This reshuffle among municipal corporations indicates the state’s focus on urban infrastructure projects and smart city initiatives.

Om Kant Thakur, IAS (2020 batch), serving as Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) in Mandi, has now been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) in Bilaspur, whereas Abhishek Kumar Garg, IAS (2020 batch), earlier SDO (Civil) in Bilaspur, has been shifted as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) at Hamirpur and will also manage the responsibilities of the Hamirpur Municipal Corporation.

Newer IAS officers like Vijay Wardhan, Rupinder Kaur, and Rajdeep Singh from the 2021 batch are currently awaiting posting orders. Their upcoming assignments are expected to be finalized shortly, indicating another possible minor reshuffle in the coming weeks.

In addition to the IAS reshuffle, transfers of 5 HAS officers have also been conducted, although detailed notifications regarding them will be issued separately.

The change of Deputy Commissioners in Bilaspur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Hamirpur districts is a move considered crucial for bringing in administrative momentum at the grassroots. Bilaspur district, known for major developmental projects including AIIMS Bilaspur, and Hamirpur, a hub of education and youth activities, will now see new administrative leadership to align the district priorities with the state’s vision of sustainable development.

The decision to reshuffle a significant number of officers has been taken on the recommendations of the Civil Services Board and approved by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. According to senior officials, the transfers are aimed at infusing fresh energy in governance, addressing district-level development challenges, and strengthening state-level policy implementation.

The notification was issued by Prabodh Saxena, Chief Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and it comes into immediate effect from 27th April 2025. This reshuffle has generated considerable buzz among bureaucratic circles as well as political observers who view it as a preparatory step for future administrative and political developments in the state.