Meet Bijnor SDM Ritu Rani: The MBA Graduate Who Secured AIR 34 in UPPCS 2019
Ritu Rani is a renowned UP Provincial Civil Services (UPPCS) officer who secured the 34th rank nationwide in the 2019 UPPCS examination. She currently holds the position of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Bijnor. Hailing from a modest family in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, she is the daughter of a farmer who aspired to see his daughter become an officer. Ritu Rani is among the female officers of the Uttar Pradesh administrative service who have strived to discharge their administrative responsibilities with both sensitivity and discipline. Her work clearly demonstrates that administration is not limited merely to executing government orders; maintaining a continuous dialogue with various sections of society is also a crucial component of the role. Regarding her education, she completed an MBA before beginning her preparation for government examinations, eventually being selected for the Uttar Pradesh administrative service in 2021. Following her selection, Ritu Rani has fulfilled various administrative duties. Her key responsibilities as the SDM of the Dhampur Tehsil in Bijnor district have included: Currently serving as the SDM of Bijnor, Ritu Rani does not limit herself to office-based tasks; she also actively participates in various social and educational programs. While honoring female students at NSS events, she has encouraged the youth to engage in social service and become responsible citizens. Additionally, she has spoken at numerous schools and universities, emphasizing the importance of education, discipline, and goal-setting to students. She has also contributed to environmental conservation by participating in tree-planting drives, urging people not only to plant saplings but also to nurture them. SDM Ritu Rani made headlines in 2025 after receiving a death threat along with a demand for ₹15 lakh in extortion money. An unidentified individual issued the threat to her official mobile number. Following the incident, the police registered a case and launched an investigation, identifying the accused as a resident of Hyderabad; he was subsequently arrested.
Uttarkashi DM Prashant Kumar Arya Bridges the Gap Between Public and Bureaucracy
Prashant Kumar Arya, District Magistrate of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, is a 2017 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, having joined the state civil service. Previously, Prashant Kumar held the responsibility of the Sachchidanand Extension in Dehradun and also held key positions such as Chief Development Officer and SDM in Pauri district. IAS officer Prashant Kumar was born on November 26, 1977. He is known for his honesty, diligence, and work ethic. He is also known for his easy communication with the public. He expects timely and transparent work from his employees and does not place any emphasis on partisanship in the administration of law and order and development projects. His approach to work is focused on promoting public participation and working with officers in a spirit of fairness. Till now he has held the following important positions: Chief Development Officer, Pauri Garhwal, Secretary, District Panchayat Dehradun, Director, Women and Child Development Department, Excise Commissioner, Uttarakhand, Director, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Managing Director, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. Key Tasks His key responsibility is to manage the travel arrangements for the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines located in Uttarkashi district. he continuously monitors infrastructure along the pilgrimage routes for the safety and convenience of pilgrims, and ensures traffic management and the availability of essential services along the routes. During heavy rains, she receives daily updates on the situation and weather in the tehsils directly from the control room. he coordinates with the Public Works Department to immediately reopen national highways and major connecting roads blocked due to landslides, and issues high alert orders. he maintains police, health, electricity, and SDRF teams on 24-hour alert to address emergencies. He reviewed pending forest land transfer cases to address bottlenecks in development projects and directed officials to take prompt action. he also closely monitored the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission projects related to drinking water supply in rural areas. Issued official orders for strict disciplinary action against district and block-level officials who ignore calls from public representatives and ordinary citizens, and increased transparency so that remote villagers do not have to repeatedly visit the district headquarters to lodge their complaints. Previous Positions Key Honors and Achievements
Administrative journey of young IAS officer Prateek Jain
Prateek Jain, a 2018 batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, is known for his courageous disaster management, people-centric administrative work, and direct engagement with the public. He is prominently included among the youngest District Magistrates of Uttarakhand, having passed the UPSC exam at the age of just 25. During his tenure, he has cultivated a recognizable public image. Born on July 25, 1993, in Ajmer, Rajasthan, he received his primary education at St. Stephen’s School, Ajmer, and higher education from British Pilani, where he earned a BA (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Biological Sciences. He also earned an MA in Public Management from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In 2016, he passed the Union Public Service Commission’s Forest Service examination on his first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 3. He trained as an IFS officer for approximately a year. In 2017, he passed the Civil Services Examination on his second attempt, achieving an All India Rank of 3. He became an IAS officer of the 2018 batch of the Uttarakhand cadre. He served as the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag from 2025 to February 2026, during which he conducted a foot inspection of the Kedarnath Yatra arrangements, a video of which went viral on social media. From February 2026 to February 2026, he also served as the Managing Director of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. In 2026, he was appointed as the GST Commissioner and Inspector General of Registration and Stamp Duty of Uttarakhand. Prior to this, he held positions such as MD of SIDCUL, Director General of Industries, Chief Development Officer of Haridwar, and Deputy Collector/SDM of Nainital. His work has impressed people, and he has received overwhelmingly positive, respectful, and emotional reactions on social media. Among the people of Rudraprayag, Pratik Jain maintains a reputation as a public servant and a role model for youth. He is remembered with respect for his public welfare work and commendable transparency. Key Responsibilities Achievements