In recent years, a new and unexpected trend has been observed among young, qualified, and highly educated IAS and IPS officers in the country: they are deciding to take voluntary retirement (VRS) or resign early. This shift reflects a deep sense of disillusionment with Indian bureaucracy and indicates a change in the country's work culture.
List of departing officers
Among these figures is IPS Jagmohan Mina, who established himself in police work after training at the prestigious IIT Kanpur. His departure is similar to recent major resignations. The list also includes IPS Kamya Mishra (Bihar state), known for her energetic style, who suddenly left for personal reasons, and IPS Rachita Juyal (Uttarakhand state), who left civil service while being active on social media as well as in police work.
Furthermore, IPS Siddharth Kaushal (Andhra Pradesh state) chose the path of VRS midway through a brilliant career. A common point in all these cases is that these officials were at a stage in their careers where they still had at least 15–20 years of service and a significant number of promotions remaining.
Reasons for departure and career changes
All mentioned officers deny any external or systemic pressure, citing their decision as a personal choice. Jagmohan Mina, an IIT Kanpur graduate and SHAURYA medal recipient, left after 13 years of service, stating that the decision was made after long strategic consideration. Kamya Mishra, known for her honest and dynamic reputation, also announced her departure in 2024, calling it a completely personal decision. According to media reports, she specified that she wishes to spend more time with family and business, focusing on other aspects of life after working in the police.
The careers of IPS Rachita Juyal (Uttarakhand state) and Siddharth Kaushal (Andhra Pradesh state) were also impeccable and outstanding. They decided to retire voluntarily (VRS) or leave solely due to family priorities and personal circumstances.
New priorities of the younger generation
Career experts believe that the outlook of modern bureaucrats, especially those who graduated from institutions like IIT or IIM, is very dynamic. For young officers, life today is not limited to one job. After 10–15 years of service and gaining extensive experience in local administration, these officers feel ready for corporate management, global consulting, or entrepreneurship.
After intense round-the-clock police or administrative work, upon reaching a certain age, officials begin to prioritize family, children's education, and work-life balance, which many consider every citizen's right. Although these departures raise questions, it is considered that if an official leaves to seek new horizons or follow personal priorities after service, this should be viewed as a positive change. The stories of officers like Jagmohan Mina or Kamya Mishra show that success has no single boundary, and a person can start a new successful chapter using their skills at any age.