Babus, mantris & buzz: Congress needs to research?
· Free Press Journal
BJP set to return to power in Assam
It is widely believed that the BJP is coming to power again in Assam after the Vidhan Sabha polls. They feel that majority will be bumper.
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Congress needs to research?
Congress is neither able to win the surveys nor the elections. What is the reason behind, is for the Congress to research?
BUREAUCRACY
How many 1995 batch IAS officers will be picked?
In the power galleries, discussions have begun about the posting of new Secretaries in the Government of India. Sources said that though 16 IAS officers of the 1995 batch have been empanelled, only three to four are likely to be appointed as Secretaries.
Supreme Court Directive Sparks Historic Reform: CAPF Bill to Grant Autonomy, Create Cadre Posts
Parliament is poised to debate the landmark Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, in the current session, ushering in the first comprehensive legal framework for the country’s five major paramilitary forces: the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Drafted by the Home Ministry, the legislation codifies recruitment rules, service conditions, disciplinary procedures and operational autonomy for more than 10 lakh personnel, ending decades of reliance on ad hoc executive orders. The Bill directly implements a May 2025 Supreme Court directive that ordered the “progressive reduction” of Indian Police Service (IPS) deputation in the Central Armed Police Forces up to the Inspector-General rank over the next two years. Once enacted, the measure is expected to create hundreds of senior posts for cadre officers, reshape promotion avenues and reduce the dominance of IPS officers in leadership roles across the forces. Officials describe the reform as a long overdue step towards greater institutional autonomy while maintaining operational synergy with state police forces. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha next week.
Ongoing Impact of Cadre Allocation Policy Overhaul
A major structural change announced by the Centre is reshaping Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) allocations across the country, including southern states. The five-zone system has been replaced with four new groupings: (1) North (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand); (2) East (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh); (3) West and Central (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa); and (4) South and North-East (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, along with the North-Eastern states). The restructuring aims to balance cadre preferences and address vacancies across services. Southern states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala now fall under the South and North-East grouping, while Odisha is included in the East grouping, potentially leading to increased inter-state deputations. The policy will take full effect from the 2026 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) batch onwards.
UPSC Attempt Limits for 2026 Batch
Details emerged about new UPSC rules effective 2026 states that there will be no reattempts given for IAS/IFS, and only one improvement attempt will be there for IPS/Group A services. This is predicted to boost fresh talent influx into southern cadres (e.g., more young officers in Karnataka’s tech-driven districts). Speculations are rife that this could lead to “reshuffle waves” in Telangana by mid-2026 to accommodate newcomers.
PSB Merger Speculation in 2026
Speculation about another round of public sector bank (PSB) consolidation has intensified, with discussions suggesting that the government may reduce the number of PSBs from 12 to four to six large banks in the coming years. The proposed consolidation could centre around major lenders such as the State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank, with smaller banks including Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra potentially being merged with larger entities. The move is aimed at creating “world-class” banks capable of supporting the government’s Viksit Bharat vision by 2047. Discussions are understood to involve the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and several public sector banks. Speculation gathered momentum around Budget 2026, with projections suggesting that mergers could take place in multiple phases beginning in FY 2026-27. Analysts say such consolidation could trigger rallies in banking stocks, though the proposal is likely to face opposition from employee unions.
South India’s Economic Contributions and Fiscal Equity Push
Whispers in the region highlight southern states’ (Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing, Kerala’s remittances, Karnataka’s tech) disproportionate tax contributions vs. returns. Speculations are rife that this could lead to IAS-led policy lobbies for better fund devolution, with new projects like Tamil Nadu’s Global Tourism Summit 2026. Odisha has focussed on Green energy deputations for IFoS officers.
Anupam Misra selected as CMD, HCL
Anupam Misra, Director (Marketing), The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited, has been selected for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 12, 2026. As many as five candidates were interviewed for the same.
Ms Lovely Katiyar returns to parent cadre
Ms Lovely Katiyar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been given premature repatriation to her parent cadre.
Interviews for Director (Fin), GAIL on Mar 17
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Director (Finance), GAIL (India) India Limited on March 17, 2026.
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