The Central Government has approved a two-year extension of the central deputation tenure of Shah Faesal, IAS (AGMUT:2010), who is serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Culture.The extension, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, will continue from September 19, 2026, until September 18, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

An Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on August 19 said Faesal has been on central deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme since September 19, 2022. The extension was approved on a proposal from the Ministry of Culture.
Faesal had secured the first rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2009, becoming the first candidate from Jammu and Kashmir to top the examination. A medical graduate from Kupwara, he joined the IAS in 2010 and served for nearly a decade before resigning from the service in January 2019.
Following his resignation, Faesal entered politics and launched the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement. He was subsequently detained under the Public Safety Act after the abrogation of Article 370 and later withdrew from active politics.

In 2022, the Central Government accepted his request to withdraw his resignation, paving the way for his return to the IAS. He subsequently resumed government service and took up central deputation.

The latest order was issued by Ajit Kumar Ranjan, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India in the Office of the Establishment Officer, DoPT.