Babus, mantris & buzz: Nitish Kumar Unlikely to Join the Union Cabinet
· Free Press Journal
Nitish Kumar Unlikely to Join the Union Cabinet
Insiders have ruled out the possibility of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining the Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet. What lies ahead for him politically remains uncertain, and speculation continues.
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Governor Appointments: No Room for Guesswork
The Centre gave little time for speculation in the media or political circles regarding the appointment of new Governors. Late on Thursday evening, the President swiftly appointed new Governors immediately after the resignation of the West Bengal Governor.
Centre Eyes Next Governor Appointments in the Northeast, Jharkhand and Odisha
Following the initial gubernatorial reshuffle, the Centre is preparing for the next phase of administrative changes, focusing on the Northeast, Jharkhand, and Odisha, sources indicate. This follows recent realignments in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, and Bihar aimed at addressing Centre–state tensions. In the Northeast—covering states such as Assam and Manipur—New Delhi is reportedly looking for Governors capable of managing ethnic insurgencies, strengthening border security with China and Myanmar, and overseeing infrastructure initiatives under the Act East policy. Jharkhand’s post-election volatility and Odisha’s forthcoming elections are also prompting the Centre to consider loyal and experienced appointees to counter opposition narratives on mining issues and tribal rights. Sources suggest that trusted BJP allies and former bureaucrats may be placed in Raj Bhavans to strengthen federal coordination ahead of the 2027 state elections, reflecting the Modi government’s assertive constitutional strategy.
Former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former Ambassador to the United States, has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
BUREAUCRACY
Nine Chief Secretaries from the 1991 IAS Batch
Currently, nine states in the country have Chief Secretaries belonging to the 1991 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). They are:
Manish Kumar Gupta – Arunachal Pradesh
Pratyaya Amrit – Bihar
A. Jayathilak – Kerala
Puneet Kumar Goyal – Manipur
Senti Yanger Imchen – Nagaland
Anu Garg – Odisha
Muruganandam – Tamil Nadu
K. Ramakrishna Rao – Telangana
G. Sai Prasad – Andhra Pradesh
No Empanelment for Secretary-Level Post from Chhattisgarh
No officer from the 1995 batch of the IAS belonging to the Chhattisgarh cadre has been empanelled for appointment to Secretary or Secretary-equivalent posts in the Government of India.
No Empanelment for Additional Secretary-Level Post from Jharkhand
Similarly, no IAS officer from the 2001 batch of the Jharkhand cadre has been empanelled for appointment as Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary-equivalent in the Government of India.
Possible Legal Overhaul in India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck’ Region
Reports indicate that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is considering legal and administrative measures concerning Seemanchal in Bihar and the adjacent Siliguri Corridor—India’s strategic “Chicken’s Neck” that connects the mainland to the Northeast. Seemanchal includes the districts of Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar. Discussions reportedly involve administrative restructuring, and some proposals even suggest the possibility of creating a Union Territory for direct central oversight due to growing concerns about infiltration from the Nepal and Bangladesh borders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent three-day visit to Seemanchal in February 2026 included closed-door meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to gather ground-level inputs on strengthening security. The discussions reportedly focused on illegal migration, drug trafficking, demographic changes, and strengthening security infrastructure in this strategically sensitive region. Potential policy responses may include enhanced border fencing, increased deployment of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and possible boundary adjustments involving northern West Bengal for more coordinated administrative control. If implemented, such measures could significantly reshape national security planning, although political resistance from Bihar and West Bengal is likely.
Public Sector Banks Expected to Cross ₹2 Lakh Crore Profit in FY26
Public sector banks (PSBs) are projected to surpass ₹2 lakh crore in combined profits in FY26, supported by loan growth of around 14–15 percent and strong credit-deposit ratios of 70–75 percent. The sector has witnessed a significant turnaround, with the State Bank of India reporting a record quarterly profit of ₹21,028.15 crore in December 2025. Banks are focusing on sustainable growth amid rising competition, supported by relatively lower lending rates of around 8.43 percent that enable aggressive lending strategies.
RLDA Invites Applications for Joint Project Manager and DGM (Civil)
The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has advertised vacancies for the posts of Joint Project Manager and Deputy General Manager (Civil) in Bhopal.
Applications must be submitted by March 16, 2026.
Post of Director (Domestic Division), CONCOR Advertised
The post of Director (Domestic Division) at Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), New Delhi, has been advertised. Detailed information is available on the website of the Ministry of Railways.
A Century of Valour: IPS Association Honours H.M. Joshi on His 100th Birthday
In a heartfelt tribute to a life defined by courage and service, the Madhya Pradesh IPS Association celebrated the 100th birthday of retired Director General of Police Harivallabh Mohanlal Joshi at the Police Officers’ Mess. Joshi, a member of the inaugural 1948 IPS batch, received a warm welcome from serving and retired officers. Current DGP Kailash Makwana described Joshi’s career as “an inspirational chapter in the history of Madhya Pradesh Police.” He highlighted Joshi’s decisive operations against notorious dacoit gangs in the Chambal and Bundelkhand regions, which helped restore peace to terrorised villages. A documentary showcasing Joshi’s policing career and administrative achievements was screened during the event. Probationary IPS officer Kajal Singh of the 2024 batch, currently serving as ASP in Ujjain, presented him with a bouquet, symbolising continuity between generations of officers. Senior officers including Arun Gurtu, M. Natarajan, M. L. Jain, D. P. Khanna and H. S. Soni shared personal recollections of Joshi’s integrity and leadership. In his address, the centenarian urged officers to serve society with honesty and dedication, saying: “Duty is our highest dharma.” Association President and Additional DGP Chanchal Shekhar described the milestone as “a rare example of disciplined living and purposeful service.”
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