📋 Pooja Singhal IAS Rank: Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Singhal |
| Profession | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer |
| UPSC Batch | 2000 Batch |
| Cadre | Jharkhand |
| UPSC Rank | Information not publicly available |
| Education | Graduate (detailed information limited) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Abhishek Jha (Businessman) |
| Children | One Daughter |
| Current Status (2025) | Under legal proceedings; suspended from service |
👤 Personal Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Singhal |
| Nickname | Not publicly known |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age (Approx. 2025) | Estimated late 40s to early 50s |
| Birthplace | India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Zodiac Sign | Not available |
👨👩👧 Family & Personal Life
Family Background
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Father’s Name | Not publicly available |
| Mother’s Name | Not publicly available |
| Husband | Abhishek Jha (Businessman) |
| Children | One daughter |
| Marital Status | Married |
🎓 Pooja Singhal IAS Educational Background
Note: Detailed educational information about Pooja Singhal’s academic journey before UPSC is limited in public domain.
Known Educational Qualifications:
- Graduation: Completed bachelor’s degree (specific college and stream not widely published)
- UPSC Civil Services Examination: Cleared in 1999 (joined 2000 batch)
- Training: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie
UPSC or Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone/Posting |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Clears UPSC CSE (AIR 26); Joins 2000 batch IAS, Jharkhand cadre. |
| 2000-2003 | Training and initial posting as Sub-Divisional Officer, Hazaribagh. |
| 2004 | Director, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Health & Family Welfare Dept.). |
| 2009-2010 | Deputy Commissioner, Khunti district (faced early vigilance probe, cleared). |
| 2014 | Event Coordinator, Jharkhand State Government. |
| 2016-2020 | Roles in Agriculture Department; promoted to senior scale. |
| 2021 | Secretary, Mines & Industries Departments. |
| May 2022 | Arrested by ED in MGNREGA money laundering case; suspended from service. |
| 2022-2024 | Judicial custody (28 months); interim bail in 2023 for daughter’s health. |
| Dec 2024 | Granted regular bail by PMLA court. |
| Jan 2025 | Suspension revoked; awaiting posting. |
| Feb 2025 | Appointed Secretary, IT & e-Governance; CEO, Jharkhand Communication Network Ltd. |
Major Administrative Positions Held
| Position | Department/District | Approximate Period |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Commissioner | Various districts in Jharkhand | 2000s-2010s |
| Secretary | Mines and Geology Department | 2020-2022 |
| Various Secretary-level posts | Jharkhand Government | 2013-2022 |
⚖️ The Controversy & Legal Proceedings
Money Laundering Case (2022)
Key Facts:
- May 6, 2022: Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Pooja Singhal in connection with alleged money laundering case linked to MGNREGA funds
- Amount Involved: Allegations of money laundering worth several crores connected to misappropriation of MGNREGA funds
- Raids: ED conducted extensive searches at multiple locations including her residence, offices, and properties linked to her associates
- Cash Recovery: Significant amounts of cash were reportedly recovered during raids
- Co-accused: Her husband Abhishek Jha, CA Suman Kumar, and several others were also arrested
- Current Status: Case is sub-judice; legal proceedings are ongoing in various courts
💰 Financial Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary (Pre-suspension) | ₹2-2.5 Lakhs per month (approximate Secretary-level IAS salary) |
| Net Worth | Subject of investigation; various properties and assets under scrutiny |
| Properties | Multiple properties in Jharkhand and other states (as per investigation reports) |
| Current Financial Status | Assets under investigation by enforcement agencies |
📱 Digital Presence & Contact
Public Profile:
- Social Media: Limited to no active public social media presence
- Official Contact: Not available for public access
- Media Coverage: Extensively covered by national and regional media since 2022
Note: Given the ongoing legal proceedings, the officer maintains a low public profile.
Recent Developments (2022-2025)
| Period | Developments |
|---|
| May 2022 | Arrested by ED; major raids conducted |
| June 2022 | Judicial custody; bail applications filed |
| 2022-2023 | Multiple court hearings; investigation continues |
| 2024-2025 | Legal proceedings ongoing; case continues in various courts |
📖 Detailed Biography
Early Life and Education
Pooja Singhal’s early life details remain largely private, with limited information available in the public domain about her childhood, family background, and formative years. What is known is that she pursued higher education and successfully cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1999, joining the IAS in the 2000 batch.
UPSC Journey
Like thousands of aspirants, Pooja Singhal prepared for and cleared one of India’s toughest examinations – the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She was allotted the Jharkhand cadre, which was formed as a new state in 2000, the same year she joined the service. Her exact UPSC rank has not been publicly disclosed.
Civil Service Career (2000-2022)
Over her 22-year career in the Indian Administrative Service, Pooja Singhal served in various capacities across Jharkhand state:
- District Administration: She served as Deputy Commissioner in several districts, handling law and order, development programs, and administrative functions
- State-level Positions: Progressed to Secretary-level positions in various departments
- Key Posting: Her most notable position was as Secretary of the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Jharkhand – a crucial department given Jharkhand’s mineral-rich status
The Turning Point: May 2022
In May 2022, Pooja Singhal’s career took a dramatic turn when the Enforcement Directorate arrested her in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The investigation was linked to misappropriation of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) funds in Jharkhand.
- Raids conducted at 18 locations including her residence
- Significant cash recovery reported
- Links investigated to various shell companies and benami properties
- Involvement of her husband and associates alleged
Personal Life Amidst Controversy
Pooja Singhal is married to Abhishek Jha, a businessman, who was also arrested in the same case. The couple has a daughter. The family’s life came under intense media scrutiny following the arrest, with investigations extending to their assets and business dealings.
For UPSC Aspirants:
- Integrity is Paramount: Civil services demand the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct
- Power with Responsibility: Administrative positions come with immense power that must be exercised responsibly
- Transparency: Maintaining transparency in all dealings is crucial for bureaucrats
- Accountability: Every action in public service is subject to scrutiny and accountability
Systemic Reflections:
- The case highlights the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms in government schemes
- Importance of vigilance agencies in maintaining checks and balances
- The role of transparency in public administration
- Need for protection of whistleblowers and accountability systems
🔍 Key Takeaways
- Pooja Singhal served as IAS officer from 2000 to 2022 before suspension
- She held important positions including Secretary, Mines and Geology, Jharkhand
- Arrested in May 2022 by ED in money laundering case linked to MGNREGA funds
- The case remains sub-judice with legal proceedings ongoing
- Her case has been widely covered by media and discussed in administrative circles
- Serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity in civil services
Disclaimer: This biography is compiled from publicly available sources and media reports. All allegations mentioned are based on investigation agencies’ claims and media reports. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” applies. This page is for informational purposes only.
Read More: Aishwarya Sheoran IFS
📝 Conclusion
The story of Pooja Singhal presents a complex narrative of a civil servant whose career trajectory took an unexpected turn. From successfully clearing the UPSC examination and serving in various administrative capacities for over two decades, to facing serious allegations and legal proceedings, her case has become a subject of significant public interest and administrative discourse.
While the legal process continues and the final verdict is awaited, her case serves as an important reminder about the critical importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service. It also highlights the robust mechanisms of checks and balances that exist in Indian democracy to ensure that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.
For aspiring civil servants, this case underscores that civil services are not just about clearing competitive examinations or achieving high positions, but about serving the nation with unwavering commitment to constitutional values and ethical principles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Pooja Singhal’s UPSC rank?
Q2: Which batch is Pooja Singhal IAS?
Q3: Who is Pooja Singhal’s husband?
Q4: Where is Pooja Singhal now in 2025?
Q5: What is the Pooja Singhal case about?
Q6: Does Pooja Singhal have children?
Q7: What was Pooja Singhal’s salary as IAS officer?
Q8: What is Pooja Singhal’s age?
Nishant Kumar is the founder and lead content creator at OfficersDetails.com, a platform dedicated to delivering accurate, verified information about officers in government, corporate, and legal sectors. With a strong background in public administration and data research, Nishant is passionate about transparency, governance, and simplifying access to essential leadership profiles.