Senior IAS officer R. Santhagopalan has reportedly applied for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), nearly one-and-a-half years before the completion of his service tenure.

Santhagopalan, a 2001-batch IAS officer, is currently serving as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha and Principal Secretary of the Excise Department. He was appointed Odisha’s CEO in 2024, succeeding Nikunja Bihari Dhal.

According to reports, Santhagopalan submitted his VRS application to the state government on Thursday. His decision to seek voluntary retirement before the end of his service tenure has drawn attention in administrative circles.

The reasons behind his decision have not been officially disclosed. While reports have referred to possible personal reasons, there is no official confirmation regarding the circumstances that prompted the senior bureaucrat to seek voluntary retirement.

During his long administrative career, Santhagopalan has held several important responsibilities in the Odisha government. His current role as CEO has also involved overseeing key electoral administration in the state.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has appointed Debashish Singh, IAS, as the new Collector of Subarnapur district. Singh is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, according to the Odisha government’s official directory.

The appointment of the new Collector was made following directions from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Debashish Singh will take charge as the new district Collector of Subarnapur.

The latest administrative developments come amid continuing changes in senior-level postings in the Odisha bureaucracy.

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