Rachita Juyal: The IPS Officer Who Cleared UPSC in Her First Attempt
Rachita Juyal, a former Indian Police Service officer of the 2015 batch of the Uttarakhand cadre, passed the UPSC exam on her first attempt. She served as Superintendent of Police (Vigilance). She was born in Dehradun. Her father, B.D. Juyal, was an inspector in the police department, and her grandfather, J.P. Juyal, was also a police officer, who inspired her to join the police service from an early age. She received her primary education from Carbon School in Dehradun, and her higher education, including a BBA and MBA, from a private university. She then began preparing for the UPSC CSE 2014, securing an all-India rank of 215, becoming an IPS officer.During her 10-year tenure, she held several important positions, including Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), and resigned from her post in 2015. She is primarily known for her strict action against corruption and impartial investigations of high-profile cases. Known for her active involvement in social causes and social service, she has been honored several times at the local level for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic and on a regular basis through various NGOs. Her main works: Haridwar Municipal Corporation Land Scam This has been the most controversial case of her career. Rachita Juyal was appointed to lead a five-member special vigilance team formed on the instructions of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Following an impartial investigation, she suspended two IAS officers, one PCS officer, and approximately 12 other government officials and employees. The investigation resulted in the cancellation of land claims related to the scam and the recovery of any losses to the government treasury. Crackdown on corruption within the police department. While serving as Vigilance Superintendent of Police, she took action against corrupt elements within the police department, catching the Dehradun ISBT outpost in-charge red-handed while accepting bribes and sending him to jail. This strong action was widely discussed in the court circles. Cyber Crime and Safety of Devotees During the Char Dham Yatra, she launched a campaign against cybercriminals who were duping pilgrims from India and abroad under the guise of helicopter tickets and tour packages. Under her direction, the Uttarakhand Police blocked more than 37 fake social media platforms and fake websites that were defrauding devotees by posing as IRCTC. Administrative and Regional Appointments She also served as ADC to the Governor of Uttarakhand, where she handled important protocol and administrative tasks for the Governor. She held the positions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) in districts like Almora and Bageshwar, where she focused on strengthening local law and order and women’s safety.
Lalit Mohan Rayal Appointed as Nainital DM: Know His Educational Qualifications, IAS Career, and Key Administrative Roles
Lalit Mohan Rayal is the new District Magistrate of Nainital; he was entrusted with this significant responsibility as part of a major administrative reshuffle carried out by the Uttarakhand government in October 2025. This reshuffle involved the transfer of 44 senior officers and the appointment of new District Magistrates in five districts of the state. He succeeded Vandana Singh, the former District Magistrate of Nainital, who has been assigned a new role within the administration. Lalit Mohan Rayal is a 2011-batch IAS officer belonging to the Uttarakhand cadre. Originally from Uttarakhand, he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through promotion from the State Civil Service. Prior to joining the IAS, he held various key responsibilities at the state level, gaining extensive experience in governance and administration. Regarding his education, Lalit Mohan Rayal holds postgraduate degrees in two distinct disciplines: Mathematics (M.Sc.) and History (M.A.). This academic background, spanning both science and social science, is considered instrumental in shaping his balanced and analytical administrative approach. Before assuming the role of District Magistrate of Nainital, he held significant positions within the Uttarakhand government, including Additional Secretary (to the Chief Minister), Additional Secretary (Personnel and Vigilance), and Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary. In these roles, he gained experience in critical areas such as administrative coordination, personnel management, vigilance, and policy formulation. As the District Magistrate of Nainital, Lalit Mohan Rayal is now responsible for ensuring effective administration across several key sectors, including tourism, urban development, law and order, disaster management, and environmental conservation. His administrative experience and working style are expected to impart fresh momentum to development initiatives and public service delivery within the district.