Inside The Secretariat: GPSC Results Delay, Remarkable Feat, And The Power Of X

Unexplained Delay Clouds GPSC Mains Outcome

The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) exam process, known for being lengthy and complex, has once again illustrated its inefficiency. Even after more than two years, the results of the Class 1 and Class 2 main examinations have not been declared. In this digital age, such an inordinate delay raises serious questions. The GPSC chairman had earlier stated that the Commission would be upgraded to the standards of the UPSC, with revised syllabi, revamped examination methods, and improved systems. However, the speed of result processing has shown no improvement. Candidates are expressing frustration, pointing out that the time taken merely to declare the GPSC main exam results is enough for the UPSC to complete its entire process — including final selection and appointment of officers to the Indian Civil Services. Currently, nearly 10,000 candidates are under immense mental stress due to the non-declaration of the results. Notably, GPSC had begun accepting application forms in August 2023, conducted the preliminary exam in January 2024, and held the main examination in October 2024.

“Learning And Researching — A Way Of Life”

An inspiring example of what a committed officer can achieve is Suman Nala, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 2021 Gujarat cadre, currently serving as Superintendent of Police (Technical and SCRB). She first came into the limelight during her tenure as Superintendent of Police of Banaskantha district in North Gujarat. In a remarkable initiative for tribal rehabilitation and welfare, she played a key role in reintegrating 29 families in Danta’s tribal belt who had faced social ostracism for over a decade. Through dialogue-based engagement and administrative support, she helped restore social stability in the region. An engineering graduate with a B.E. in Computer Science, Suman Nala also has a strong academic and research background. She has conducted research at AIIMS on Mitral Valve Prosthetics and at the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research on the survival of microorganisms in extreme conditions. Her work also includes computational research in protein point mutation prediction. Having left the corporate world to join public service, she now serves as Superintendent of Police (Technical and SCRB). On the occasion of Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, she had the honour of leading the Unity Parade — a fitting recognition of her dedication, intellect, and service ethos.

Power Of X: Complain, Click, And Get It Done!

The Gujarat police have launched an innovative initiative that enables citizens to get their complaints resolved quickly through social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Using modern technology, the police have developed a transparent system called GP-SMESH (Gujarat Police – Social Media Monitoring, Awareness and Systematic Handling) to strengthen citizen-police communication. This facility, launched in March this year, ensures that complaints and suggestions received on X are addressed within a few hours. According to State Police Chief Vikas Sahay, as many as 850 complaints received on the X handle have already been resolved. Complaints related to law and order, traffic violations, cyber fraud, prohibition, anti-corruption, and misconduct by police personnel are promptly forwarded to the district, range, or departmental heads concerned for necessary action. The officers handling the matter are also required to update the status of the action taken on the same platform. The GP-SMESH system functions under a three-tier monitoring mechanism at the state, range, and district levels, ensuring continuous supervision and timely redressal — making Gujarat Police one of the first in the country to use social media so effectively for public grievance resolution.

1996 Batch IAS Officers In Line For ACS Promotion

Five Principal Secretaries serving in various departments of the Gujarat government are likely to be promoted soon to the rank of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS). The state government usually decides on such promotions based on seniority, vacancies created by retirements, and the tenure of service. This time, officers from the 1996 IAS batch — Mona Khandhar, Dr. T. Natarajan, Rajiv Topno, Mamta Verma, and Mukesh Kumar — are next in line for elevation. However, Mona Khandhar’s central deputation proposal is still pending. According to Secretariat sources, these officers are expected to receive their promotions in early 2026. Following the retirement of ACS-level officers J.P. Gupta and Kamal Dayani in July 2025, two more senior officers — Sunayna Tomar (1989 batch) in November and S.J. Haider (1991 batch) in December — are set to retire, thereby creating additional vacancies at the top administrative level. Similarly, officers from the 2001 IAS batch are expected to be promoted to the Principal Secretary rank soon. Consequently, the coming months are likely to see a season of promotions and significant administrative reshuffles within Gujarat’s bureaucracy.

Bureaucracy Awaits Post-Cabinet Shake-Up

After the reshuffle of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet, discussions are now underway about major changes in the state bureaucracy and the police department. Although it has become difficult for ministers to get officers of their choice, large-scale reshuffling of departmental secretaries seems likely, taking into account merit, efficiency, and administrative experience. In particular, changes in the departments under Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi are almost certain. Meanwhile, with Additional Chief Secretary M.K. Das being appointed as the new Chief Secretary, a key position in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has fallen vacant. Similarly, with Sunayna Tomar set to retire in November, the posts of Additional Chief Secretary in the Higher and Technical Education Department as well as the General Administration Department (GAD) will also become vacant. The post of Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department is already lying vacant. Given these circumstances, a bureaucratic reshuffle appears imminent. Changes in the police department, involving IPS officers, also cannot be ruled out. For now, the newly inducted ministers are visiting and reviewing their respective departments.

Design Chaos Derails Digital Gujarat 2.0 Momentum

According to the fifth report of the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC), the state government plans to work on a “One State–One Portal” model, introducing a Single Sign-On (SSO) system for all citizen services. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Chairperson of GARC and Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, stated that the goal is to provide every citizen with seamless access to all government services through a single digital interface, ensuring “Government at the doorstep of citizens.” This would eliminate the need for citizens to repeatedly submit the same information for different services. The commission has recommended the development of a Digital Gujarat 2.0 portal to achieve this vision. However, when the state government will actually implement it remains uncertain. The report also suggests modernizing all Jan Seva Kendras (citizen service centers), reducing waiting time for services, setting up guidance desks at each center, and creating a citizen-friendly environment. Yet, given the bureaucratic inertia, it remains to be seen whether these ideas will translate into reality. It is worth noting that despite previous government instructions — such as those requiring police stations to treat complainants courteously and offer them basic hospitality like tea or water — such practices have hardly been implemented anywhere. In most cases, applicants are still treated like accused persons, raising serious questions about the state’s commitment to citizen-centric governance.

Deputation Returns And Delhi Calls For Key Officers

Deputation of officers from Gujarat to the Centre is a routine affair, but given the current shortage of senior officers in the state, it appears that fewer officers will be sent to Delhi this time. Two officers currently on central deputation — Lochan Sehra, serving as Joint Secretary at IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), Ahmedabad, and Dr. Ajay Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Defence, are expected to return to the state cadre soon. Meanwhile, the path seems to be opening up for Shahmeena Husain and JayprakashShivhare to move on central deputation. There is also strong speculation that Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, is likely to proceed to New Delhi on deputation once again — she has served on central deputation earlier as well. Additionally, talk within the bureaucracy suggests that officers Ajay Bhadoo and Sandhya Bhullar, both currently on central deputation, may also return to the state in the near future.

One Click, No Counter — System Redefines Policing

The Gujarat Police’s I-PRAGATI (Intelligence Progress Reporting and Grievances Addressing Through Technology Initiative) has begun receiving highly positive feedback from citizens. Under this system, complainants now receive SMS updates about the progress of their police cases, ensuring greater transparency and convenience. Earlier, citizens had to personally visit police stations to find out the status of their complaints. Now, with real-time online updates, complainants are spared the hassle of repeated visits and inquiries. Launched on May 14, 2025, the initiative enables complainants to receive detailed updates after an FIR is registered — including information about investigation progress, panchanama (scene report), bail, notices, and arrests. This digital reform marks a significant step toward citizen-friendly policing in Gujarat, ensuring that people stay informed without having to endure the traditional bureaucratic hurdles.

Dry State To Get Another Splash Of Relaxation

After experimenting with a limited relaxation of the prohibition policy within the GIFT City area, the Gujarat government has now taken another significant step — this time aimed at tourists visiting the state. The government is planning to issue liquor permits to out-of-state tourists through a dedicated mobile application. According to sources, the trial run of this mobile app has already been completed. The app will be available in three languages — English, Hindi, and Gujarati — and will require ID proof and KYC verification, such as Aadhaar card. The new system will allow online approval and UPI-based payment, making the process fast and convenient. Under the existing system, tourists from other states must visit designated hotels to obtain a liquor permit, which is issued only after completing several formalities and receiving approval from an authorized government officer. With the proposed digital system, tourists will be able to upload up to 10 types of identification documents online, including Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving licence, and passport, and receive their permit electronically — a move that could modernize and simplify Gujarat’s long-standing liquor regulation framework.