Inside Raisina Hill: Voter Turnout And IAS Promotion Vacancies

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".

EC Stakes Claim Over Total Votes Polled

The recently concluded assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry witnessed a record high percentage of voter turnout. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar claimed that all of them were in favour of the poll panel, as political parties received their shares only in proportion to their support.

Officials in the Election Commission (EC) of India said that, with an intent to encourage “all of us”, the CEC, during the course of the preparation for holding the Assembly polls, exuded the colleagues and staff that the total votes “are going to be for the Commission”, as political parties “would get only their share of portion”, and so “work harder to ensure higher percentage of voters turnout”.    

Even after the elections, in one of the internal interactions with senior EC officials, Kumar said that “all 93% of voters of West Bengal were with us”, which eventually got divided in proportion to the support each political party had during the elections.

MHA Likely To Remove AGMUT-Cadre IAS Officer

In a rare disciplinary action, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the removal of senior IAS officer Padma Jaiswal (AGMUT cadre, 2003 batch) from service over alleged financial irregularities linked to her tenure in Arunachal Pradesh nearly 20 years ago.

The MHA has initiated proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, proposing a major penalty of removal from service.

According to sources, the case dates back to 2007-08, when Jaiswal served as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng District in Bomdila. Although a chargesheet was filed in 2009, the inquiry concluded only recently. They further said that the probe found evidence of alleged misutilisation and misappropriation of public funds, along with abuse of official position.

According to reports, the inquiry also held the officer guilty of violating the All India Services (Conduct) Rules by failing to maintain “absolute integrity and devotion to duty”.

Jaiswal has served in several important administrative roles across AGMUT cadre regions, including Delhi and Puducherry.

The move is being seen as part of the Centre’s broader “zero tolerance” approach towards corruption in public administration. The final decision will follow the mandatory consultative process involving authorities, including the UPSC, before presidential approval is issued.

Centre Approves 35 IAS Promotion Vacancies For UP PCS officers

In a major development, the Centre has approved and allocated 35 vacancies in the IAS cadre to Uttar Pradesh, for the selection year 2025, from among the Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers of the state.

The vacancies will be filled through the promotion quota from the State Civil Services, paving the way for a significant number of senior PCS officers to enter the IAS cadre in the coming months. According to available information, officers from the 2010, 2011, and 2012 PCS batches are currently among the strongest contenders for induction into the IAS.

The development is being viewed as an important administrative exercise that could significantly strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s bureaucratic framework, at a time when several districts and departments are facing a shortage of IAS officers.

Every year, the Central government determines the number of vacancies available for promotion from State Civil Services to the IAS cadre in each state.

The move has created fresh opportunities for PCS officers awaiting elevation to the country’s premier administrative service, with sources indicating that the process has already begun at the departmental level, as the Appointments Department has sought complete service records, including Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), of eligible officers to expedite the promotion exercise.

PESB Recommends SCSC Route To Fill Post Of CMD, Cochin Shipyard Ltd

The process to appoint a new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cochin Shipyard Limited has hit a roadblock after the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) failed to find a suitable candidate during interviews conducted on May 8, 2026.

According to sources, the PESB interviewed two candidates, but concluded that neither met the requirements for leading the state-run shipbuilding and repair company. Following the outcome, the board has asked the administrative authority, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to initiate further steps for the selection process.

The Ministry has been advised to explore alternative mechanisms, including constituting a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), or adopt any other suitable process with the approval of the competent authority.

The CMD position at Cochin Shipyard remains vacant at a crucial time for the company, which plays a key role in India’s maritime and defence manufacturing sectors. The fresh selection exercise is expected to begin soon, following consultations within the government.