The Government of India has approved the appointment of IAS Richa Prakash Choudhary as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce under the Central Staffing Scheme. She is a 2014-batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, and is set to assume her new responsibilities in the national capital.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued an official order, instructing the Chhattisgarh government to relieve her of her current duties at the earliest. According to the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) guidelines, her central deputation tenure has been sanctioned for four years, commencing from the date she takes charge. The guidelines mandate that she must assume office within three weeks of the order’s issuance, failing which debarment proceedings under the Central Staffing Scheme may be initiated.

She has an impressive track record in public administration, having previously served as the Collector of Janjgir and later Durg in Chhattisgarh. Her tenure was marked by proactive governance and impactful developmental initiatives, earning her recognition for her dedication and administrative acumen. Her appointment to a central role highlights not only her capabilities but also the increasing representation of Chhattisgarh-cadre officers in key positions at the Centre.

Notably, she is the second IAS officer from Chhattisgarh to be assigned a central role in recent times, following IAS Namrata Gandhi, the former Collector of Dhamtari. Her shift to Delhi is expected to prompt administrative changes within Chhattisgarh, as the state government will need to appoint a successor to manage Durg’s administration. This transition may lead to further bureaucratic reshuffling in the state’s governance structure.