bureaucratic reshuffle unveiled
The Centre has announced a major secretary-level reshuffle across key ministries. Neeraj Mittal, currently Telecom Secretary and a 1992-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas, replacing Pankaj Jain, who has
moved to the Eighth Central Pay Commission. Amit Agrawal, Pharmaceuticals Secretary, shifts to Telecommunications, while Land Resources Secretary Manoj Joshi takes over Pharmaceuticals. Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi has been assigned to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, with Srivatsa Krishna of the Karnataka cadre becoming the new Tourism Secretary. Atish Chandra, Special Secretary in the PMO, has been named OSD in the Agriculture Ministry and will assume charge as Agriculture Secretary after Devesh Chaturvedi retires in February 2026. The ACC has also appointed Anju Rathi Rana as Member Secretary of the 23rd Law Commission and extended the tenure of Legislative Secretary Rajiv Mani, who will additionally hold charge of Legal Affairs.
Cong warns Karnataka MLAs
Amid speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, the Congress has cautioned its leaders and MLAs against making public statements or being influenced by vested interests. AICC general secretary Randeep
Surjewala said the BJP and certain media sections are running a campaign against the state Congress government. The warning follows growing attention on the internal dynamics between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who had previously competed for the CM post after the 2023 Assembly elections.
England Take Early Ashes Advantage
The first Ashes Test in Perth delivered a chaotic, high-intensity opening day. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss, saw his team bowled out for 172, then starred with a five-wicket haul to give England a first-innings edge. Australia responded poorly, losing early wickets and ending the day at 123-9, still 49 runs behind. Mitchell Starc shone with career-best figures of 7-58, including a hat-trick chance in the next innings. England’s fast bowlers, led by Stokes, bowled with intensity, unsettling the Australian lineup with sharp short-pitch deliveries. Standout batting moments included a 55-run fourth-wicket partnership between Ollie Pope (46) and Harry Brook (52) for England.
