Patna, May 22 – The Bihar government has transferred 12 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, 6 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and 36 Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officers in a major bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of the state’s upcoming legislative assembly elections, expected later this year.
The General Administration Department (GAD) announced the transfer of 12 IAS officers on Wednesday, with nine of them moved from Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) roles to positions as Deputy Development Commissioners (DDCs) and Municipal Commissioners across various districts. The reshuffle is being seen as part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen administrative control in the lead-up to the polls.
Among the IAS officers, Dr. Preeti, a 2019 batch officer, was moved from Bhagalpur to Jehanabad as DDC-cum-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Board. Gunjan Singh, previously Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Health Department, will replace the outgoing DDC-cum-CEO in Bhojpur. Other high-profile transfers include Subham Kumar, now Bhagalpur Municipal Commissioner, and Shiwani Dixit, who takes over as Munger Municipal Commissioner.
Additionally, all 36 BAS officers were posted as SDOs in separate sub-divisions across Bihar, a move directly linked to election readiness, according to officials.
Separately, the state Home Department transferred six IPS officers, including Rajiv Ranjan-1, whose frequent postings—three in as many months—have raised eyebrows in bureaucratic circles. Ranjan, most recently the SP of the Economic Offences Unit (EOU), has now been appointed Superintendent of Police (SP) of the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB).
Pankaj Kumar, previously with the SCRB, replaces Ranjan at the EOU. Other notable changes include the transfer of BMP Commandant Anant Kumar Rai to the Traffic Division as Additional Inspector General, and Rajesh Kumar of the Special Security Group (SSG) to the BMP in the same capacity. Manish Kumar Sinha, SP (Security), will now lead the SSG while retaining his current role.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the reshuffle was a routine administrative measure aligned with the state’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections. Bihar is expected to go to the polls in October or November.
