Report Flags Uttarakhand Bureaucrats Opting for Early Retirement, Including Three Forest Officers
A report says three Uttarakhand forest service officers have taken voluntary retirement over the past three years, part of a broader pattern of IAS, IPS and IFS officers exiting state service early.
Current Summary
A report has detailed a pattern of IAS, IPS and IFS officers in Uttarakhand opting for voluntary retirement well ahead of superannuation. Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Saket Badola took voluntary retirement in October 2026, with about 11 years of service remaining, saying he decided after months of deliberation for personal reasons and describing his wildlife conservation stint as satisfying. His decision follows other cases: 1988-batch IFS officer Dhananjay Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, took voluntary retirement in June 2025, two months before his scheduled retirement, with his application approved the day after submission, citing personal reasons. Chief Conservator of Forests Manoj Chandran applied for voluntary retirement in October 2024, a move that coincided with reports of a possible departmental inquiry and chargesheet against him. IFS officer B.D. Singh, who served for a long period as CEO of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, had also taken earlier voluntary retirement. Among IAS and IPS officers, former IAS officer Umakant Panwar took voluntary retirement years before superannuation, followed later by his wife, former IAS officer Manisha Panwar, who cited health reasons. The report also references former IAS officer Rakesh Kumar, though further detail on his case is not included in available reporting.
What We Know
- Three Indian Forest Service officers in Uttarakhand have taken voluntary retirement over the past three years, according to a report.
- The report frames this within a broader question of why IAS, IPS and IFS officers in the state are opting for early retirement.
- Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Saket Badola took voluntary retirement in October 2026, with about 11 years of service remaining, citing personal reasons.
- 1988-batch IFS officer Dhananjay Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, retired in June 2025, two months ahead of schedule, with his application approved the next day.
- Chief Conservator of Forests Manoj Chandran applied for voluntary retirement in October 2024 amid reports of a possible departmental inquiry and chargesheet.
- IFS officer B.D. Singh, former CEO of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, had also taken voluntary retirement earlier.
- Former IAS officer Umakant Panwar took voluntary retirement years before superannuation; his wife, former IAS officer Manisha Panwar, retired later citing health reasons.
What Is Still Unclear
- Names and specific postings of the officers who took voluntary retirement
- The reasons cited by the officers for leaving early
- Whether the rate of early retirement in Uttarakhand is unusual compared to other states
What Changed
- 28 Oct, 08:00 pmThe report now names several officers behind the trend: Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Saket Badola took voluntary retirement in October 2026 with about 11 years of service remaining, citing personal reasons. Earlier cases include 1988-batch IFS officer Dhananjay Mohan, who retired in June 2025 two months ahead of schedule; CCF Manoj Chandran, who applied in October 2024 amid reports of a possible departmental inquiry; IFS officer B.D. Singh, former CEO of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee; and former IAS officers Umakant Panwar and his wife Manisha Panwar, who later retired citing health reasons.
- 28 Oct, 06:10 pmSignal detected: Report Flags Uttarakhand Bureaucrats Opting for Early Retirement, Including Three Forest Officers