Babus, mantris & buzz: NDA’s Rajya Sabha tally may reach 140 by end of 2026
· Free Press Journal
NDA’s Rajya Sabha tally may reach 140 by end of 2026
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The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) strength in the Rajya Sabha is likely to reach 140 by the end of 2026. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) currently has 103 seats, while the NDA’s combined tally stands at 133. The BJP’s strength may also rise to 111, according to projections.
Mamata Banerjee reportedly advises Akhilesh Yadav to engage IPAC for UP polls
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly advised Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav to engage the Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, stressing that victories in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are vital for the opposition’s national resurgence. According to sources, Banerjee urged the SP not to worry about funding constraints and assured financial backing to counter the BJP’s dominance. She referred to IPAC’s role in the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) electoral successes and suggested that its deployment could be seamless after the West Bengal elections. Banerjee is also learnt to have proposed that select West Bengal bureaucrats familiar with IPAC’s data-driven strategies from TMC campaigns assist the SP’s ground operations in Uttar Pradesh. The strategic advice is aimed at replicating IPAC’s micro-targeting and voter analytics approach, which was seen during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The development signals closer coordination within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, with the TMC positioning itself as a key ally for the SP amid Akhilesh Yadav’s expansion plans. Sources indicated that a formal announcement on engaging IPAC could be made in the coming months.
BUREAUCRACY
Who will be new CEO, NITI Aayog?
After the departure of BVR Subramaniam, lobbying has started for the new CEO of NITI Aayog. But the million dollar question is- who will grab this post. Sources said that names of about half a dozen retired IAS officers including D S Mishra, Sunil Barthval, Girdhar Armane have started doing the rounds. The government is likely to make a decision after the Holi festival.
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari recommended as Chief Justice of Madras HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, Judge of the Kerala High Court, as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, consequent upon the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on March 5, 2026.
Justice Lisa Gill recommended as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Lisa Gill, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to the Andhra Pradesh High Court and her appointment as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court with effect from the date the vacancy arises.
Nine Advocates recommended as Judges of Patna HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of nine Advocates for appointment as Judges of the Patna High Court. They are: Md. Nadim Seraj, Ranjan Kumar Jha, Kumar Manish, Sanjeev Kumar, Girijish Kumar, Alok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rana Vikram Singh, and Vikash Kumar.
Southern States to Face Gaps After IAS Retirements
Nearly 300 IAS officers nationwide are due to retire in 2026, upon attaining age 60, triggering widespread reshuffles at Centre and states. Specific projections for queried states show Tamil Nadu 13 IAS, Odisha 12 IAS. Other southern states face notable gaps but lower numbers. This will create cascading vacancies in senior positions (Chief Secretaries, Secretaries, DGPs, etc.), with predictions of accelerated promotions and lateral movements starting mid-2026.
Vivek A Perampurna quits Indian Revenue Servic-IT
Vivek A Perampurna, CIT, Mumbai, has resigned from the Indian Revenue Service of Income Tax.
Jeetesh Sharma returns to parent cadre
Jeetesh Sharma, Director (A&F) in the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 1998 batch ITS officer.
Rajiv Shankar returns to parent cadre
Rajiv Shankar, Director in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre. He is a 2008 batch IRS-C&IT officer.
G R Deelip relieved to take up new assignment in PMML
Garud Rahul Deelip, Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Education, New Delhi, has been relieved to take up his new assignment as Financial Controller in Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), Ministry of Culture, on deputation basis for a period of three years w e f February 27. He is a 2016 batch ICAS officer.
Changes in ITBP
In ITBP Anil Kumar Akarnia has been transferred to HQ Eastern Frontier, Lucknow and Deepak Kumar Pandey has been moved to Directorate General, Headquarters.
ITS officer reported back to DoT
Consequent upon relieving from TRAI. Sheo Bhadra Singh has reported back to the DoT Hq. He is a HAG level officer and waiting for his posting.
2 Trade Service officers promoted to SAG
Two Indian Trade Service (ITrS) officers- Chandra Kant Mishra and Dr. Rendla Sampath Kumar- has been promoted to SAG against the vacancy year 2026, on regular basis. Both are 2007 batch officers.
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