Inside Raisina Hill: IPS Rejig On Cards, BCI Proposes Sweeping Reforms

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".

SC Asks States To Consider Raising Retirement Age Of Judicial Officer

The Supreme Court recently directed all the States and the Union Territories to examine increasing the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years as an interim measure, pending a final decision on a plea seeking a uniform retirement age of 62 years for the judges working in the district courts across the country.

A Bench hearing the matter said the revised retirement age would take effect from April 1, 2026. The court clarified that the interim arrangement would not affect the final adjudication on the larger legal issue of whether district judicial officers should uniformly retire at the age of 62 years.

The petition seeks parity in the retirement age of district judges across states. At present, the retirement age varies, with most judicial officers superannuate at 60 years. In comparison, High Court judges retire at 62 years, while Supreme Court judges continue in office until the age of 65 years.

Major IPS Rejig On Cards

The appointment of Anurag Kumar (IPS: AGMUT Cadre: 1994) as the Delhi Police Commissioner is expected to trigger a major reshuffle in the Capital’s policing and law-and-order establishment, with several senior AGMUT cadre officers likely to be reassigned. 

Sources indicate that Robin Hibu (IPS: AGMUT Cadre: 1993), who is currently serving in Delhi, may be moved to the Civil Defence and Home Guards. Special Commissioner of Police Rajesh Khurana (IPS: 1994: AGMUT) is likely to be posted as the Director General of Police (DGP), Goa, while the incumbent Goa DGP is expected to be brought back to Delhi.

Special Commissioner of Police (CP) (Law & Order) Neeraj Thakur (IPS: 1994: AGMUT), who is also caught in the seniority realignment following Kumar’s elevation, is likely to be appointed DGP, Puducherry. Incumbent Puducherry DGP Shalini Singh (IPS: 1996: AGMUT) is expected to return to the national capital.

Anand Mohan (IPS: 1994: AGMUT), who currently heads the Prisons department, is likely to continue in his present assignment. Notably, Special CP, Economic Offences Wing, Garima Bhatnagar (IPS: 1994: AGMUT), despite being junior to Kumar in inter-se seniority, is expected to remain in Delhi for the time being, making her an exception in the anticipated administrative reshuffle.

BCI Unveils Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill 2026

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has unveiled the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing sweeping reforms to the Advocates Act, 1961.

It is aimed at modernising the legal profession, strengthening institutional governance, and expanding welfare measures for lawyers. The draft, prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice, has been placed in the public domain for feedback until July 31.

Among the key proposals is enhanced representation of women in State Bar Councils. In councils with more than 10,000 voters, the strength would be increased to 33 members, including four elected women advocates and three women members to be inducted through co-option. The draft also provides for co-opting advocates from geographically underrepresented regions.

The proposed legislation seeks to institutionalise comprehensive welfare measures through dedicated funds and trusts offering pension benefits, health insurance, medical assistance, financial aid during hardship, support for advocates with disabilities, scholarships for young lawyers, and assistance to families of deceased advocates.

The draft also proposes revising enrolment fees, with aspiring advocates required to pay ₹18,000 to the State Bar Council and ₹4,500 to the BCI. Candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and persons with benchmark disabilities would pay only 25% of the prescribed fee.

In a significant structural reform, the Bill also seeks to formally recognise law firms under the Advocates Act for the first time, a move aimed at promoting professional management, greater accountability, and the growth of organised legal practice, particularly at the district level.

The proposed amendments also mandate structured professional training in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber law, digital evidence, technology, and international legal practice, reflecting the profession's evolving needs.

The BCI will examine public feedback before finalising the draft legislation.

Mid-Career Training: Diplomats Explore Metallurgical Research

As part of the Mid-Career Training Programme (MCTP-II) for Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers, two senior diplomats visited the CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur to gain first-hand insights into India’s strengths in metallurgical research, mineral technologies, and industrial innovation.

Sushil Prasad, Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya, and Md. Shahid Alam, Counsellor at the High Commission of India in London, concluded the Jamshedpur leg of their training.

The visit was aimed at familiarising serving diplomats with India’s scientific institutions, technological capabilities, and industrial ecosystem to strengthen economic diplomacy and international collaborations.

During the visit, the officers held extensive discussions with CSIR-NML Director Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury and the institute’s Heads of Departments. Scientists briefed the delegation on the laboratory’s cutting-edge research, technology development programmes, industry-driven innovations, and technology transfer initiatives across the minerals, metals, and materials sectors.

The presentations highlighted CSIR-NML’s role in advancing indigenous technologies, supporting strategic industries and promoting sustainable industrial growth through research-led solutions. The diplomats were also introduced to the laboratory’s ongoing efforts to address challenges in mineral processing, advanced materials, recycling, and resource efficiency.

The interaction offered the officers a comprehensive understanding of how premier scientific institutions such as CSIR-NML contribute to India’s industrial competitiveness and innovation ecosystem. It also underscored the growing importance of science and technology in shaping global partnerships, opening avenues for international cooperation, and enhancing India’s engagement with partner countries through knowledge exchange, technological collaboration, and investment-led economic diplomacy.

Business Innovation Awards 2026: BEML Bags Six Honours

Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) bagged six honours at the 4th Edition of the Business Innovation Awards 2026, reaffirming its position as one of India’s leading public sector enterprises for innovation, operational excellence, and organisational leadership.

The defence public sector undertaking (PSU) was recognised across key categories, including Best Performing PSU of the Year, Infrastructure PSU of the Year, Best Public Sector Workplace Culture, Public Sector Innovation Excellence Award, and Public Sector Marketing & Communication.

BEML Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy has also been named Visionary Public Sector Leader of the Year for his leadership and strategic vision.

Director (Finance) Anil Jerath accepted the Visionary Public Sector Leader of the Year Award on behalf of CMD Shantanu Roy, besides receiving the Best Performing PSU of the Year honour.

Director (Human Resources) Debi Prasad Satpathy accepted the award for Best Public Sector Workplace Culture, while Director (Mining & Construction) Sanjay Som received the Infrastructure PSU of the Year Award.

Executive Director (Rail & Metro) Om Prakash Singh accepted the Public Sector Innovation Excellence Award, and Head of Corporate Communications Tapash Talukdar received the Public Sector Marketing & Communication honour.