Ashok Khemka IAS to retire today

Ashok Khemka retires after 34-Year IAS career marked by integrity and frequent transfers

Senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka, known for his unflinching integrity and resistance to political interference, is retiring on April 30. Over his 34-year tenure in the Haryana cadre, Khemka was transferred 57 times - a striking reflection of the challenges faced by honest bureaucrats in India.

Khemka rose to national prominence in 2012 when he cancelled a mutation related to Robert Vadra. The move, widely seen as courageous, led to a political storm. Khemka consistently defended his decision as legally sound and aimed at promoting transparency in land dealings.

Despite his qualifications—including a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur, a Ph.D. from TIFR, an MBA in Finance, and an LLB from Punjab University—he was often posted to departments like Archives etc. In 2023, Khemka even volunteered to head the vigilance department, citing underutilization of officers like himself and the uneven distribution of duties.

His principled stand against corruption earned him both admiration and bureaucratic sidelining. Khemka’s career has become a symbol of the struggles faced by upright officials in a system.

As he steps away from service, Khemka leaves behind a legacy of honesty and resilience - an example of how integrity, even when inconvenient, remains a vital pillar of good governance.