Ashok Khemka, one of India’s most principled and resilient Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, is set to retire from public service on April 30, marking the end of a remarkable 34-year career defined by integrity, courage, and relentless dedication.
A 1991-batch officer of the Haryana cadre, Khemka retires as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department, a position he assumed in December 2024. Over his long and often turbulent career, he was transferred 57 times—an extraordinary testament to the political and bureaucratic resistance he encountered due to his uncompromising ethical stance.
Khemka became a national figure in 2012 when he cancelled the mutation of a controversial land deal in Gurugram involving Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. This act of administrative courage brought both acclaim and controversy, casting him into the national spotlight as a symbol of bureaucratic integrity.
Born on April 13, 1965, in Kolkata, Khemka is as distinguished academically as he is in service. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech in Computer Science, 1988), he also holds a PhD in Computer Science from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), an MBA in Finance and Business Administration, and an LLB from Panjab University—accomplishments that underscore his intellectual rigor and lifelong commitment to learning.
Despite his credentials and honesty, Khemka was frequently sidelined into what were perceived as “low-profile” postings, notably being transferred four times to the Archives Department—three of them during BJP rule and once under the Congress regime in 2013.
In 2023, he openly expressed frustration over his marginalisation, especially after being overlooked for promotions given to his batchmates. Still, he remained undeterred. “Straight trees are always cut first. No regrets. With renewed resolve, I shall persist,” he tweeted, exemplifying his stoic resilience.
Later that year, he volunteered to lead the Vigilance Department, offering his services to spearhead an anti-corruption drive. “No one, however elevated, shall be exempt from scrutiny,” he wrote in a letter to the Chief Minister, calling for equity in bureaucratic responsibilities and stronger mechanisms to root out corruption.
His return to the Transport Department under Minister Anil Vij in 2024 marked nearly a decade since his previous stint was cut short after just four months.
Khemka’s legacy transcends bureaucratic ranks—he is a rare figure whose career embodied the ideals of public service. As he steps away from the corridors of power, his unwavering stand against corruption, despite personal and professional costs, will continue to serve as a guiding light for future civil servants.
