Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared the transfer and appointments of 48 officers, some of whom are perceived to be close to Congress leaders, in one of the most exhaustive reshuffles in the senior levels at the Centre.

The order came on Tuesday night taking many by surprise. About 12 officers were brought from state on Central deputation while new postings have been given to seven officials, who were put on compulsory wait after the Modi government assumed power.

Though the Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Modi has been clearing appointments on regular intervals, the number is huge in this instalment. 

Thirty-eight of the 48 officers who received new postings are from the Indian Administrative Service while others included those from Indian Revenue Service , Indian Audit and Account Service and Indian Defence Accounts Service.

Among those transferred included Joint Secretary in Home Ministry I S Chahal, who was Officer on Special Duty to former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Dilip Kumar, a 1995 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, will replace Chahal. 

Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, a 1995-batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre who is on compulsory waiting in the Shipping Ministry, and G K Dwivedi, a 1993 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre who is presently on compulsory wait in Commerce, have also been given an appointment in the Home Ministry besides Rajit Punhani, a 1991 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Amita Prasad is the only Karnataka cadre officer who found her name in this list. Prasad has been appointed Joint Secretary in Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.