New Delhi, 5th August 2023: The Narendra Modi administration has displayed unwavering commitment to upholding the proficiency of its core team, which comprises three esteemed civil service officers — two from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and one from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Furthermore, the government holds two other civil service officers — one from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and another from the IAS — in high regard. These five retired bureaucrats, often recognized as the PM’s ‘Panch Ratna’ or Modi’s ‘Five Stars,’ are deemed pivotal to the effective functioning of the government.
The members of this essential core team include Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor (NSA); PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Rajiv Gauba, the Cabinet Secretary; Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Union Home Secretary; and Sanjay Mishra, the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
While the posts of NSA and Principal Secretary have conventionally been occupied by retired officers, the tenures of the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, and ED Director have undergone significant extensions under the Modi administration. In the past, these positions were held by retired officers for shorter durations.
The government places substantial importance on maintaining continuity in key positions, especially with upcoming general elections looming on the horizon. Altering these roles could potentially disrupt the administrative structure, subsequently triggering a chain reaction affecting other vital positions.
Rajiv Gauba and Ajay Kumar Bhalla enjoy an exceptional level of trust from the Prime Minister, having dutifully served in pivotal roles throughout their careers. Gauba’s tenure on central deputation recommenced in 2016, and he has held pivotal responsibilities in various ministries. Bhalla has been actively engaged at the Centre since 2010 and has held significant roles in the energy and power sectors before assuming the role of Union Home Secretary.
Sanjay Mishra, the Director of the Enforcement Directorate, is an asset to the government due to his relentless commitment to unveiling corruption and financial irregularities. He has been granted multiple extensions, establishing him as the longest-serving bureaucrat in his position. Mishra’s unyielding dedication to investigating money laundering and foreign exchange violations has garnered widespread acknowledgment.
The government’s decision to persist with these officers has elicited criticism from certain political and bureaucratic quarters. Detractors argue that perpetually extending the tenures of retired officers limits opportunities for other senior bureaucrats to ascend to such prestigious positions, ultimately leading to a dearth of prospects and a sense of inequity.
Notably, the Supreme Court recently annulled Sanjay Mishra’s tenure extension as the ED Director; however, the government successfully presented a petition before the court citing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation, which prompted an extension of his tenure in the “public interest.”
