In Punjab too, over a dozen IAS officers to retire in 2026
With 14 IAS officers of the Punjab cadre set to retire this year, the state government is staring at a deepening administrative crunch, even as several officers await postings or seek central deputation.
As many as 14 IAS officers of Punjab cadre will retire this year with the state government already grappling with shortage of officers. Starting with 1996-batch IAS AK Sinha and 2005-batch IAS Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, both will retire this month. Sinha has been without a posting. He was removed as Secretary, Power as well as Chairman and Managing Director of PSPCL and PSTCL, on November 1. If he is not given any posting, he may retire without any department on January 31. Sandhawalia is Secretary, Health.
Arvind Pal Singh Sandhu, a 2009 batch IAS officer, currently holding the post of state commissioner for persons with disabilities, will be retiring on February 28. Alongwith him will be Arun Sekhri , a 2004-batch IAS, who will also retire on February 28. Sekhri is currently Commissioner Ferozepur and Jalandhar divisions. In March, Punjab government will see Anurag Agarwal, a 1990-batch IAS retiring on March 31. He was in the race to become the Chief Secretary of the state when AAP government took over. But proceeded on Central deputation when he was denied top post. JM Balamuruhan, a 1994 batch, Additional Chief Secretary Defense Services, retiring on the same day. Along with them, 2012-batch IAS, Bhupinder Singh, currently posted as special secretary power, will also be superannuating.
Vimal Setia, a 2010 batch IAS officer, who was removed as Director Public Relations on Thursday, will be completing his service in April. Gurpreet Sapra, a 2005-batch IAS will be superannuating in June. She is currently Secretary Personnel. Mohinder Pal, a 2008 batch IAS would also complete his service in June.
Sarvjit Singh, a 1992-batch IAS officer, and Special Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, will be retiring in July,1997-batch VK Meena will retire in August. A 2004-batch IAS , Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Secretary Labour will retire in October. 1991-batch IAS Seema Jain, who is on central deputation will be retiring in December. As per the latest gradation list of IAS officers, Punjab has 191 officers against cadre strength of over 200. Several IAS officers are making a beeline for deputation to Centre with four of them already getting NOC from Punjab government for central deputation.
The four include 1994-batch IAS Tejveer Singh, Dileep Kumar (1995 batch), Sibin C (2005) and Varun Roojam (2004). They are awaiting posting from the centre. Shruti Singh (2004-batch) has already joined the Centre as joint secretary in Information and broadcasting department of Government of India.
Punjab government had denied NOCs to several officers. They include Nilkanth S Avhad, a 1999 batch IAS officer, Alakhnanda Dayal (2000-batch), Vijay N Zade (2002) have been denied the NOC. Sonali Giri too has been asked to stay on.
At least four IAS officers have been waiting for the government’s order for new postings after being transferred from their previous assignments, some even eight months ago.
Story continues below this ad
Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, a 2001-batch IAS officer is without work for over eight months. He was removed from his position as the home secretary on March 24. He has not been assigned any new role. He was instructed to report to the personnel department secretary. Puneet Goyal, a 2010-batch IAS officer, was removed from his position as director of food on February 25. He has not received a new posting since then. Kanwalpreet Brar, another IAS officer was removed from Punjab Warehousing Corporation in February and continues to be without posting.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
