Nripendra Misra
IAS, Uttar Pradesh cadre, 1967 batch
Chairman, Ram temple construction committee, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (since Feb 2020); Principal Secretary to the PM 2014 to 2019
Summary
The law barring his appointment was changed by ordinance within two days of the government taking office.
By the numbers
2 days from the new government taking office to the law change
Government sworn in 26 May 2014 (date not in the sources opened; widely reported); ordinance 28 May 2014 (PRS). IE: "Within hours of assuming office". indianexpress.com
Rule changed: TRAI Act s.5(8) amended by ordinance
The rise, step by step
Each step is solid where two sources carry it, a hairline where one does.
One report
Joins IAS, Uttar Pradesh cadre.
One report
Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Section 5(8) of the TRAI Act, 1997 barred former chairpersons from any later central or state government employment.
Documented
At its first meeting (27 May) the new Cabinet decides to amend the TRAI Act by ordinance. The TRAI (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 is promulgated on 28 May, allowing a former chair to take government employment two years after leaving office, or earlier with Central approval. Misra's appointment as Principal Secretary to the PM is announced the same evening.
One report
Parliament passes the TRAI (Amendment) Bill replacing the ordinance (Lok Sabha 14 Jul, Rajya Sabha 15 Jul; assent 17 Jul 2014).
One report
Announces he will step down as Principal Secretary; the PM asks him to continue for two weeks.
One report
Named chairman of the Ram temple construction committee by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The other side
- Nripendra Misra (as TRAI chairperson, Aug 2006)
- Wrote to the Ministry of Communications calling Section 5(8) "unreasonable" and seeking its amendment, arguing the restriction did not apply to members of the Competition Commission and SEBI (as reported by IE, May 2014). indianexpress.com
- P. Chidambaram, former Finance Minister (May 2014)
- "Mr Nripendra Misra is a fine officer and gentleman, but he has got into a legal tangle. As the law stands, he is ineligible for being appointed to any post under the central government or any state government". indianexpress.com
Documents
Parliament record PRS Legislative Research: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2014 (Act 20 of 2014), Jul 2014
The Amendment Act permits them to accept such an employment: (i) after two years from the date they cease to hold office, or (ii) before completion of two years with the approval of the central government.
Sources
These are documented facts placed side by side. Nothing here asserts or implies wrongdoing by any officer. Acquittals, dismissed petitions and clean chits are recorded alongside adverse findings. Every source was opened and checked on Oct 2026.
Photo: Department of Space, Government of India, GODL-India