Inside Raisina Hill: AARDO Succession Bid & Surprise Exit At AAI

As one walks down the Hill along the Rajpath, now renamed Kartavya Path, come other edifices — Rail Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Shashtri Bhavan, and Kartavya Bhavan on one side and Sena Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan, and Vanijya Bhavan on the other. The bureaucrats who adorn the offices in these buildings decide on India's economic, social, and industrial policies. There are many tales to be told from the corridors of these grandiose buildings. We let you in on some of them here in this week's edition of "Inside Raisina Hill".

AARDO Seeks India’s Nomination For Secretary-General Post

African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), the New Delhi-based autonomous inter-governmental body, has formally invited the Union Ministry of Rural Development to nominate candidates for the post of Secretary General.

The Secretary General serves a four-year term, renewable once, allowing a maximum tenure of eight years. The current incumbent, Manoj Nardeosingh, of Mauritius, took charge on September 3, 2019.

Candidates must have at least 10 years of senior-level experience in decision-making or policy formulation within government, universities, or research institutions.

Established in 1962, the AARDO is a key platform for South-South cooperation, advancing sustainable agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and inclusive socio-economic development across Africa and Asia. The organisation has 32 full members (18 African and 14 Asian nations), along with four associate members.

The next Secretary General will lead implementation of AARDO’s policies and programmes in accordance with its Constitution and directives of the AARDO Conference and Executive Committee. The role also demands extensive diplomatic engagement with member and prospective member states, UN agencies, and other international institutions.

As AARDO’s administrative chief, the Secretary General will additionally maintain close and continuous engagement with diplomatic missions based in New Delhi.

AAI Chief Adviser Asked To Step Down Ahead Of Tenure

In a striking development at the Airports Authority of India (AAI), former Member (Operations) Sharad Kumar has been asked to step down from his post as the Chief Adviser two months before the competition of his one-year tenure.

Sources said Kumar continued to wield considerable influence after retirement, retaining access to official facilities and allegedly remaining involved in key operational decisions despite holding an advisory position.

The development comes as the crucial Member (Operations) post remains vacant. Efforts to fill the position through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) and a Search-cum-Selection Committee have so far yielded no result, leaving the AAI Chairman to continue holding additional charge.

The prolonged vacancy has fuelled speculation within bureaucratic circles that the position was deliberately kept open, enabling Kumar to retain significant operational influence as the Chief Adviser.

His appointment itself followed an unusual sequence. On October 31, 2025 - the day he retired as Member (Operations) - the Ministry of Civil Aviation appointed him as the Chief Adviser (AAI) for one year.

His tenure was due to end on October 31, 2026. However, on August 18, he was reportedly directed to submit his resignation, retrospectively from August 1. The resignation is set to take effect on August 31, bringing his controversial stint to an early close.

Ex-Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane Appointed CMD Of Unitech

In a significant move aimed at strengthening the management of Unitech Ltd, retired IAS officer and former Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane has been appointed Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the real estate major for a fixed tenure of two years.

Aramane assumed charge with effect from August 25, 2026, following a restructuring exercise being undertaken in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court.

His appointment comes pursuant to the apex court’s order of August 17, 2026, followed by a subsequent order issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on August 19. The move assumes particular significance as Unitech’s corporate affairs continue to remain under the monitoring of the Supreme Court.

Aramane brings extensive administrative and policy experience to the high-profile assignment. He served as Defence Secretary before retiring from government service. He succeeds Yudhvir Singh Malik, a 1983-batch IAS officer, whose tenure as CMD has now concluded.

IAS Officer Sehara Transferred To Uttar Pradesh

In a significant inter-cadre movement within the All India Services (AIS), Abhishek Sehara has been transferred to Uttar Pradesh following his marriage to Priya Meena, a 2025-batch Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions approved the transfer under Rule 5(2) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, which provides for inter-cadre transfers on marriage grounds, subject to the concurrence of the respective state governments.

Under established AIS norms, officers marrying members of another AIS may seek a cadre shift to join their spouse. Such transfers are ordinarily permitted provided the move does not result in posting an officer to their home state, except under specified exceptional circumstances.

With the requisite approvals and clearances in place, Sehra is now set to join the Uttar Pradesh cadre and receive a fresh assignment under the state administration.

Rahul Mithal Gets Extension As RITES CMD

Rahul Mithal has been granted a fresh extension as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of RITES Limited, with his tenure now extended until his date of superannuation on June 30, 2027.

The Ministry of Railways, the administrative Ministry for RITES, conveyed the decision through an official communication dated August 20, 2026.

Mithal was originally appointed the CMD of the railway-sector consultancy firm by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on October 5, 2021, for a fixed five-year term ending October 5, 2026. The latest decision will allow him to continue at the helm for nearly nine months beyond his original tenure.

Prior to assuming charge as the CMD, Mithal served as Director (Project & Services) at Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a position he held from September 2017.