Vineet Chawdhry
IAS 1982, Himachal Pradesh cadre
1618days after leaving Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh. Then Virbhu India Pvt Ltd.
The cooling-off rule
Retirement 30 Sep 2018 to Virbhu directorship 6 Mar 2023
The rule: DoPT Office Memorandum of 5 Dec 2006 (as described by The Indian Express): a one-year cooling-off period after retirement before joining private company boards, which can be shortened with separate government approval. For All India Services, rule 26 of the AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958 (see research/deals/moves.json for the DoPT FAQ source).
Before and after
One report
Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh
1618 days after leaving.
Documented
Virbhu India Pvt Ltd (CIN U27900GJ2023FTC138985; Vadodara; subsidiary of AK Power Solutions, USA; EV-charging and power electronics)
Director and individual promoter (MCA data via QuickCompany)
Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited Director/Designated Partner for over 3 years Virbhu India Private Limited Individual Promoter for over 3 years
What the office had to do with the company
No Himachal government decision involving Virbhu India or AK Power Solutions was found. Virbhu India was incorporated in March 2023, about 4.4 years after he retired. Listed for completeness; it does not meet the 'dealings with his department' test on present evidence.
DIN 06650659 also held Himachal government company seats (HP Tourism Development Corporation, Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam), which ties the DIN to the officer.
Sources
Dates and filings placed side by side; being listed is not a finding of wrongdoing. Sources were opened on Oct 2026.