In a recent reshuffle of IAS officers in Bihar, Alankrita Pandey, a 2016 batch IAS officer known for her sharp and resolute working style, has been appointed as the new District Magistrate (DM) of Bhagalpur. She takes over the district's command from Dr. Naval Kishore Choudhary. Alankrita Pandey is recognized in administrative circles for her decisive actions, keen observation of ground realities, and a tough 'Lady Singham' demeanor.
IAS Couple to Lead Neighboring Districts
Since her appointment as the new DM of Bhagalpur, Alankrita Pandey and her husband, IAS Anshul Agarwal, have been in the spotlight. Interestingly, while Alankrita has been assigned to Bhagalpur, her husband, Anshul Agarwal, has been given charge of the neighboring Banka district. This IAS power couple will now be instrumental in improving administrative efficiency in two significant districts of Bihar.
From Software Engineering to Civil Service
A native of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Alankrita Pandey consistently excelled in her studies from childhood. She earned a B.Tech degree in Software Engineering from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad. Following her graduation, she secured a lucrative corporate position at Oracle, a renowned IT company in Bengaluru. However, her true calling was always public service, prompting her decision to pursue a career in civil administration.
Cracking UPSC with 85th Rank on First Attempt
In 2015, Alankrita Pandey appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and, to everyone's surprise, achieved an impressive All India Rank of 85 in her very first attempt. This remarkable achievement was a testament to her hard work and dedication, opening the doors for her to serve the nation after leaving a high-paying IT sector job.
Inter-Cadre Transfer from West Bengal to Bihar After Marriage
After becoming an IAS officer in 2016, Alankrita Pandey was allotted the West Bengal cadre. During her training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), she met Anshul Agarwal, an IAS officer of the 2016 batch from the Bihar cadre, who had secured the 47th rank in UPSC. The couple married in 2018. Following their marriage, Alankrita applied for an Inter-Cadre Transfer on marital grounds. Initially, the West Bengal government declined to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC), citing a shortage of officers. However, through legal procedures and the rules set by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), her transfer to the Bihar cadre was eventually approved.
The 'Lady Singham' Persona in Jehanabad
Prior to her posting in Bhagalpur, Alankrita Pandey served as the District Magistrate of Jehanabad. There, she took stringent action against encroachers and demonstrated strong administrative capabilities. During a visit to Kako Nagar Panchayat in Jehanabad, upon witnessing unsanitary conditions and the dismal state of the 'Nal-Jal Yojana' (tap water scheme), she promptly intervened. She publicly reprimanded negligent officials on the street, in front of the local populace. This direct approach of conducting surprise inspections for the public's benefit earned her the moniker 'Lady Singham'.
New Hopes for Bhagalpur and Banka
With the Bihar government's latest decision, this IAS power couple is now set to enhance administrative systems in neighboring districts. Alankrita Pandey will lead Bhagalpur, a large district known as the 'Silk City,' while her husband, Anshul Agarwal, will take on the responsibilities of Collector in Banka. The people of Bhagalpur anticipate that the new DM's technical background (software engineering) combined with her firm administrative style will bring new direction to the district's development projects and effectively curb corruption.
