IAS Officer Padma Jaiswal Removed After 18 Years: What the ₹28 Lakh Scandal Reveals

In a rare and significant disciplinary action, the Government of India has formally removed Padma Jaiswal, a 2003-batch IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, from service over serious corruption charges. According to a report by The Pioneer, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued the removal order on 12 and 13 May 2026, with final approval from the President of India on the recommendation of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.

Who Is Padma Jaiswal?

Padma Jaiswal is a 2003-batch IAS officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre, one of India's joint administrative cadres that covers the union territories of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and other union territories. Over the span of her career, she held a range of assignments across multiple AGMUT jurisdictions. She served in secretarial roles in Puducherry, Goa, and several departments of the Delhi government, including Planning, Labour and Employment, and Social Welfare. Her career, on paper, reflected the breadth and diversity expected of a senior cadre officer with two decades of service.

The Corruption Charges That Cost Her Everything

The charges against Jaiswal trace back to her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh during 2007 and 2008. She was accused of misappropriating and misutilising public funds, abusing her official position, and diverting government money for personal benefit. Additionally, she was charged with violating the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules by failing to maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty. These are among the gravest charges that can be levelled against a serving IAS officer.

The West Kameng Scandal: How It All Began

The case first surfaced in February 2008, when residents of West Kameng district filed a formal complaint alleging misappropriation of government revenue under Jaiswal's watch. The administration responded swiftly. In April 2008, she was placed under suspension. That suspension was later revoked in October 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued charge memoranda against her under the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, setting the formal disciplinary machinery into motion.

The CBI Chargesheet and What It Alleged

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet filed in late 2024 alleged the misappropriation of around Rs 28 lakh in public funds during Jaiswal's time as Deputy Commissioner. The chargesheet further claimed that some of these diverted funds were used to acquire properties in the names of her relatives. This allegation added a concrete financial dimension to what was already a heavily documented disciplinary record, strengthening the case for the severest possible penalty.

An 18-Year Disciplinary Journey

The disciplinary process against Padma Jaiswal stretched across 18 years, making it one of the longest such proceedings in recent Indian administrative history. Readers following recent cases where institutional accountability mechanisms were tested over years will find this timeline all too familiar. The inquiry involved inputs from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), both of which independently recommended her removal from service. Their recommendations carried significant weight in the final decision.

The CAT Setback That Delayed Justice

Not all rulings went against Jaiswal during this period. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) initially set aside the disciplinary proceedings, citing a lack of jurisdiction on the part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. This decision temporarily stalled the entire process and gave the case a significant legal twist. However, the Centre refused to let the matter rest. It challenged the CAT order before the Delhi High Court, insisting that MHA jurisdiction was valid and that the disciplinary process had to proceed.

The Delhi High Court Ruling That Changed Everything

On April 1, 2026, the Delhi High Court ruled decisively in favour of the Centre, overturning the CAT decision and restoring the disciplinary action against Jaiswal. The court's verdict cleared the legal path for the MHA to finalise the major penalty. Following the ruling, the Ministry moved swiftly. The penalty was finalised, recommended through the Department of Personnel and Training, and approved by the President of India, resulting in the formal removal order issued on 12 and 13 May 2026.

Where Was Jaiswal When the Order Arrived?

At the time of her removal, Padma Jaiswal was serving as Special Secretary in the Administrative Reforms Department of the Delhi government. She had joined this post as recently as February 16, 2026, just weeks before the final order came through. The timing was striking. Even as the disciplinary case was approaching its end after 18 years, she remained an active, posting-holding officer within the government system until the very day the order arrived.

A Career That Spanned Multiple States and Departments

Before her removal, Jaiswal had built a career that touched many corners of the AGMUT administrative structure. Much like other women who have carved long, consequential careers in demanding public roles, she navigated postings across Puducherry, Goa, and Delhi, working in departments that ranged from Planning to Labour and Employment to Social Welfare. These were real, substantive roles in the machinery of government, which makes the eventual outcome all the more significant for the civil services community.

Why IAS Dismissals Are So Rare in India

The removal of a serving senior IAS officer through a formal major penalty is an exceptionally rare event in India. Official government data covering the period from 2014 to 2019 showed only two dismissal cases nationwide. One of those involved Pooja Khedkar of the Maharashtra cadre, who was dismissed on corruption charges. Most disciplinary actions against IAS officers conclude with suspensions, compulsory retirements, or minor penalties. Outright removal from service, particularly for a cadre officer at the senior level, is almost without precedent in normal administrative practice.

What This Case Signals for Accountability in the Civil Services

The Padma Jaiswal case is not just about one officer. It is a statement about the limits of patience within India's accountability systems. The case combined a resident complaint, a CBI investigation, charge memoranda from the MHA, recommendations from both the CVC and UPSC, a legal reversal at the CAT level, and a High Court intervention before the final presidential order was signed. The 18-year duration of the process reflects both the procedural complexity of senior service disciplinary cases and the institutional persistence required to see them through to completion. For the civil services at large, the case is a reminder that major penalties, though rare, remain a living part of the disciplinary framework.

Source & AI Information: External links in this article are provided for informational reference to authoritative sources. This content was drafted with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence tools to ensure comprehensive coverage, and subsequently reviewed by a human editor prior to publication.