3 IAS officers from UP cadre get key appointments in central ministries; Know their full profiles here
Three IAS officers from the UP cadre have secured key Joint Secretary roles in a major central reshuffle, highlighting the growing influence of Uttar Pradesh officers in top policymaking positions.
3 IAS: Pankaj Kumar, Dr Kajal and K. Balaji Appointed Joint Secretaries (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: In a significant administrative reshuffle, three IAS officers from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre have been given key responsibilities at the Centre, where a total of 48 officers have been appointed at the Joint Secretary level. The move reflects the growing prominence of UP cadre officers in key policymaking positions.
Key Appointments at the Centre
Among the major appointments, IAS Pankaj Kumar has been named Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Power. IAS Dr Kajal will serve as Joint Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), while IAS K Balaji has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications.
These roles are considered crucial for policy implementation and governance at the central level.
Profile: IAS Pankaj Kumar
Pankaj Kumar is a 2002-batch IAS officer of the UP cadre. Currently serving as Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), he hails from Banda, Uttar Pradesh. He studied at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
Over the years, he has served as District Magistrate in Agra, Aligarh, Sitapur, Muzaffarnagar, and Ballia. He has also held key roles in the Tourism Department, AIDS Control Society, and worked as Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary. In 2025, he was elected General Secretary of the UP IAS Association.
Profile: IAS Dr Kajal
Dr. Kajal, a 2008-batch IAS officer, brings a unique blend of administrative and medical expertise. She holds MBBS and MD degrees and is currently serving as Director in DPIIT.
In her previous roles, she has worked as Chief Development Officer (CDO) in Meerut and District Magistrate of Mahoba. She has also handled important responsibilities in the Basic Education Department and local governance bodies in Uttar Pradesh.
K. Balaji is a 2010-batch IAS officer of the UP cadre and is originally from Tamil Nadu. He is currently serving as Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His past experience includes working with the 16th Finance Commission and serving as Private Secretary to a Union Minister. In Uttar Pradesh, he has served as District Magistrate of Meerut.
The appointments highlight the Centre’s reliance on experienced UP cadre officers for strategic roles, underlining their administrative depth and governance experience.
