New Delhi: Three senior IAS officers from the Punjab cadre have been empanelled for appointment as Secretary or Secretary-equivalent at the Government of India, while two others have been empanelled as Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary-equivalent. These appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), according to an official information note released today.
Punjab IAS Officers Empanelled as Secretary/Secretary-Equivalent
A total of 41 IAS officers nationwide have been empanelled at the Secretary/Secretary-equivalent level in 2026. Among them, the Punjab cadre officers are:
- Dilip Kumar (1995 batch) – Secretary/Secretary-equivalent
- Jaspreet Talwar (1995 batch) – Secretary/Secretary-equivalent
- Alok Shekhar (1994 batch) – Secretary-equivalent
This empanelment enables these officers to be considered for top leadership positions in various ministries and departments of the Government of India, marking a key milestone in their administrative careers.
Punjab IAS Officers Empanelled as Additional Secretary/AS-Equivalent
At the Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary-equivalent level, 28 IAS officers nationwide have been empanelled. Among them, the Punjab cadre officers are:
- Priyank Bharti (2001 batch) – Additional Secretary/AS-equivalent
- Kumar Rahul (2000 batch) – Additional Secretary/AS-equivalent
These appointments allow the officers to take on senior roles in policy formulation, administrative management, and strategic decision-making at the central government level.
Significance of IAS Empanelment
The IAS empanelment process is a crucial step in an officer’s career, as it opens doors to leadership roles at the highest levels of the Union Government. Officers empanelled as Secretary or Additional Secretary are eligible for the most senior administrative postings, contributing directly to policy implementation and national governance.
The 2026 empanelment underscores the prominent presence of Punjab cadre officers in India’s central bureaucracy, reflecting their experience, competence, and readiness for top administrative responsibilities.
