Five DCs of HP figure in India’s Top 100 DMs ranking
Shimla, June 17
Himachal Pradesh has reinforced its reputation for efficient district administration with five Deputy Commissioners finding a place among India’s Top 100 District Magistrates in the 2024 ranking released by Fame India.
The survey, which evaluates district administrators across the country on governance, innovation, public service delivery, crisis management and public perception, has placed Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap among the country’s top ten district administrators.
According to the ranking, Anupam Kashyap secured the 8th position nationally, making him the highest-ranked officer from Himachal Pradesh. Other Himachal officers featured in the prestigious list are Hemraj Bairwa at 45th position, Apoorva Devgan at 72nd, Gandharva Rathore at 73rd and Manmohan Sharma at 74th position.
The national ranking was topped by Tina Dabi of Rajasthan’s Barmer district, followed by Vishakh G. Iyer and Harichandana Dasari.
Anupam Kashyap, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has earned recognition for a series of citizen-centric initiatives in Shimla district. Known for maintaining a low profile, he has focused on education, social welfare and grassroots governance. He adopted a government school and personally funded dictionaries for 273 students. He also made the first contribution of Rs 51,000 to the district-level Sukh Ashray Fund for destitute children.
Shimla DC Anupam Kashyap among India’s top 100 Administrators
Under his leadership, Shimla district administration has strengthened its campaign against drug abuse by involving village Numberdars in intelligence gathering and awareness activities. Earlier, while serving in the Transport Department, Kashyap promoted electric mobility and helped make the directorate the first state government department to operate without petrol and diesel vehicles.
The survey also recognised the work of other Himachal officers. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan won praise for personally leading rescue and relief operations during rain-related disasters in the district. Despite being injured during field operations, he remained actively involved in coordinating assistance for affected families.
Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore has gained recognition for her extensive field visits, school inspections and focus on improving rural infrastructure and anganwadi services. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, a 2013-batch IAS officer and IIT Kanpur alumnus, is known for using technology-driven approaches in governance and disaster management. Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma has built a reputation for administrative discipline, punctuality and prompt disposal of public grievances.
The presence of five Himachal officers in the national list highlights the state’s strong administrative tradition, where district administrations continue to play a crucial role in public service delivery, disaster response and implementation of government programmes. The recognition also underlines the growing national visibility of Himachal Pradesh’s bureaucracy, often regarded as one of the most efficient and accessible administrative systems in the country.
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