Bureaucracy On Pause? Governments Blocking Fresh Talent As Top Offices Are Trapped In Extensions

Last Updated:September 05, 2025, 11:53 IST

With multiple states heading for elections, extensions may be preferred further to avoid the turbulence of leadership changes. But this convenience could come at a cost

Indian states appear to be leaning more heavily than ever on extending the tenures of their top bureaucrats instead of appointing successors.

Indian states appear to be leaning more heavily than ever on extending the tenures of their top bureaucrats instead of appointing successors. Recent orders show that across the political spectrum, whether in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Congress-ruled Telangana, or opposition-ruled West Bengal, chief secretaries have been granted a fresh lease of service.

But the approvals are not uniform. While Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar (IAS:1988) has been allowed a short extension of just three months, Madhya Pradesh’s Anurag Jain (IAS:1989) has secured a full year, and Telangana’s K. Ramakrishna Rao (IAS:1991) has seven months. In West Bengal, Dr Manoj Pant (IAS:1991) has been allowed six months beyond his retirement. All these extensions were approved last week on the proposal of the respective states.

By contrast, reportedly, Uttar Pradesh’s proposal to extend the tenure of its chief secretary was turned down, despite the state being ruled by the same party, BJP, as the Centre.

Interestingly, even states led by political opponents of the Centre have seen their top bureaucrats continue. West Bengal, often at loggerheads with New Delhi, saw Dr Manoj Pant’s tenure extended till December 2025. Telangana too received approval for its proposal. These clearances indicate that political equations are not the sole factor, the Centre is granting requests from states to retain their officers for longer tenures.

Central Extensions Mirror The Trend

The preference for continuity isn’t limited to states. At the Centre, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, has received a six-month extension, while Satish Kumar, Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board, has been re-employed for another year post-retirement. Both cases underline how top institutions are relying on familiar leadership rather than ushering in new faces.

DGPs As Well

The trend extends into police leadership too. Several states have delayed appointing full-time Directors General of Police (DGPs), instead handing over “additional charge" or extending incumbents’ tenure, to retain control over the choice. News18 spoke to various retired and serving bureaucrats who warned that this practice creates imbalances.

Why Extensions?

While there is no clear reason for granting extensions to officers, sources said some possible explanations include:

• Continuity in administration
• Political comfort, as incumbent bureaucrats often enjoy the trust of the chief minister and political leadership, making their continuation preferable to a new appointment who may not align as easily
• Avoiding factional clashes

A serving secretary-level official told News18, “Extensions in services are very tough as they have to be cleared from the top office. But the current series of orders shows that this is no longer an exception. These orders, more about political ease, are denting the services and creating imbalances."

Similarly, another senior officer serving in one of the largest states said that extensions wipe out at least three batches of officers from getting key posts.

“There are clear chances that a fresh brain would work more efficiently, but leaderships want no change. In one such case of an extension to a top-level post in the Centre, the decision wiped off the chances and dreams of more than a dozen officers who joined service in seven–eight different years, hoping to reach that position," a retired bureaucrat who finished service last year told News18.

Officers Caution On Over-Reliance

News18 spoke to former as well as serving bureaucrats, and they expressed concern that the practice is shifting from being an exception to becoming the norm. “Extensions were meant for extraordinary situations — elections, crises, or transitional phases. Now, it is being used routinely. This blocks career progression for others and undermines institutional discipline," a retired DoPT official who didn’t wish to be named told News18.

“With these decisions, officers who are at the final point of their career often see it as a poorly finished innings — leadership decisions make them feel as though three decades of their careers have been wasted. Imagine the frustration of waiting at the door, while the person inside won’t make way," another officer told News18.

The Road Ahead

With multiple states heading for elections in the next 18 months, extensions may be preferred further to avoid the turbulence of leadership changes.

However, this convenience could come at a cost: an ageing leadership at the top, blocked opportunities for younger officers, and a culture of dependency on extensions rather than fresh appointments.

As one serving senior bureaucrat said, “Extensions give comfort, but they also breed complacency. States are playing safe, but at some point, tough decisions on succession will have to be made."

Ankur Sharma

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...

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