This IAS officer who was transferred 57 times in his career retires today; know all about him

Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ashok Khemka, celebrated for his staunch anti-corruption efforts, is set to retire today after nearly 34 years of service marked by a notable 57 postings. His career, which began with the 1991 batch, concludes with his role as Additional Chief Secretary in Haryana's Transport Department.

Khemka's Battle Against Corruption

Khemka became a national figure in 2012 when he annulled a controversial land deal mutation in Gurugram involving Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. Throughout his career, Khemka was renowned for his integrity, even as he faced frequent transfers, reportedly every six months on average.

Education and Career Path

Born on 30 April 1965 in Kolkata, Khemka is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He furthered his education with a PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and an MBA in Business Administration and Finance. Additionally, he pursued and completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Panjab University during his tenure in service.

Despite his impressive track record, in recent years, Khemka has often been posted to less significant roles, a point of contention among many of his supporters.

Khemka's Call to Action in Haryana

In a proactive step against corruption, Khemka expressed his interest in serving in the vigilance department in a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar dated 23 January 2023. He observed discrepancies in workload distribution and proposed leading an anti-corruption initiative, promising decisive action regardless of the stature of the individuals involved.

In 2022, Khemka also shared reflections on his career via Twitter, offering congratulations to his peers promoted to secretarial positions and stating, “Straight trees are always cut first. No regrets. With renewed resolve, I shall persist.”

As Khemka retires, his journey remains an emblem of resilience and dedication to honesty and transparency in public service.