Pooja Singhal is a 2000-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre. She cleared the Civil Services Examination at the age of 21 and joined the IAS after qualifying in the 1999 examination.
Pooja is currently serving as Secretary of the IT and e-Governance Department, Jharkhand. The state government’s official directory lists her as the department’s Secretary.
Singhal has also been in the news because of a money laundering case connected with alleged irregularities in MGNREGA works in Khunti, where she served as Deputy Commissioner from 2009 to 2010. The Enforcement Directorate arrested her in May 2022.
On 25 September 2026, the Supreme Court declined to quash the trial court’s cognizance order. The case will therefore continue, and Singhal has not been convicted.
Quick Info About Pooja Singhal IAS
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Singhal |
| Profession | Civil servant |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Batch | 2000 |
| Cadre | Jharkhand |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 1978 |
| Age | 48 years (as of September 2026) |
| Birth Place | Dehradun |
| Education | MBA in Business Management |
| Current Posting | Secretary, IT and e-Governance Department, Jharkhand |
| Posting Date | February 2025 |
| Retirement Date | 31 July 2038 |
| Spouse | Abhishek Jha |
| Training | LBSNAA, Mussoorie |
Pooja Singhal IAS Early Life and Education
Pooja Singhal was born on 7 July 1978 in Dehradun. She is 48 years old as of September 2026.
Singhal’s official service records list Uttar Pradesh as her domicile state. Her educational qualification is recorded as an MBA in Business Management. Details about her school and college education are not widely available in official records.
Her name is sometimes written as Puja Singhal in media reports, but government records use Pooja Singhal.
Pooja Singhal IAS UPSC Journey
Singhal cleared the Civil Services Examination 1999 and joined the IAS with the 2000 batch. She qualified at the age of 21 and was allotted the Jharkhand cadre.
Pooja exact UPSC All India Rank has not been confirmed through an official UPSC record available online. Different websites have mentioned different ranks, so a specific AIR cannot be stated with confidence.
Like Mullai Muhilan IAS, Pooja Singhal also entered the IAS at a young age after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
After selection, Singhal underwent training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, before beginning her administrative career in Jharkhand.
Pooja Singhal IAS Career and Postings
Singhal started her field career in August 2002 as Sub-Divisional Officer in Hazaribagh. She later worked in several departments at both the district and state levels.
She became Deputy Commissioner of Chatra in August 2007 and later served as Deputy Commissioner of Khunti and Palamu.
Her Khunti posting from February 2009 to July 2010 later became important in the ED’s money laundering investigation concerning alleged irregularities in MGNREGA works.
Over the years, Pooja also served as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Secretary and held Secretary-level positions in departments including Agriculture, Tourism and Industries. In August 2021, she became Secretary of Industries with additional charge of Mines and Geology.
Pooja Singhal was suspended following her arrest in May 2022. Her suspension was later revoked with effect from 7 December 2024. In February 2025, she was appointed Secretary of the IT and e-Governance Department. The Jharkhand government’s current directory continues to list her in the post.
Pooja Singhal IAS Posting Timeline
| Period | Position |
|---|---|
| Aug 2002 to Feb 2004 | Sub-Divisional Officer, Hazaribagh |
| Feb 2004 to Sep 2004 | SDO-level postings |
| Sep 2004 to Feb 2005 | Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare |
| Feb 2005 to Jul 2005 | Director, Welfare Department |
| Jul 2005 to Aug 2006 | Director, Ranchi Municipal Corporation |
| Aug 2006 to May 2007 | Deputy Commissioner, Co-operative Societies |
| Aug 2007 to Sep 2008 | Deputy Commissioner, Chatra |
| Sep 2008 to Feb 2009 | Various district and departmental postings |
| Feb 2009 to Jul 2010 | Deputy Commissioner, Khunti |
| Jul 2010 to Jun 2013 | Deputy Commissioner, Palamu |
| Jun 2013 to May 2014 | Labour Commissioner and Managing Director |
| May 2014 to Mar 2017 | Officer on Special Duty to Chief Secretary |
| Mar 2017 to May 2020 | Secretary, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative |
| May 2020 to Aug 2021 | Secretary, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs |
| Aug 2021 to May 2022 | Secretary, Industries; additional charge of Mines and Geology |
| May 2022 to Jan 2025 | Under suspension |
| Feb 2025 to Present | Secretary, IT and e-Governance Department |
Pooja Singhal IAS MGNREGA Money Laundering Case
The case against Pooja Singhal relates to alleged financial irregularities in MGNREGA works in Khunti district. The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches on 6 May 2022 and reported recovering more than ₹19 crore in cash. Singhal was arrested on 11 May 2022 and later suspended by the Jharkhand government.
She received interim bail from the Supreme Court in February 2023 and was granted bail by the PMLA court on 7 December 2024 after spending about 28 months in custody. Her suspension was later revoked, and she returned to government service in 2025.
On 25 September 2026, the Supreme Court refused to quash the trial court’s cognizance order. The money laundering case will continue, and Singhal has not been convicted.
Pooja Singhal IAS Husband and Family
Pooja Singhal is married to Abhishek Jha, who is associated with Pulse Super Speciality Hospital in Ranchi. The ED’s prosecution complaint states that they married in 2011.
Jha was also named in the money laundering proceedings. The allegations against him are part of the ongoing case, and he has not been convicted.
Singhal was previously married to Rahul Purwar, a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre. That marriage ended in divorce. She has a daughter.
FAQs
What is Pooja Singhal’s current posting?
Pooja Singhal is the Secretary of the IT and e-Governance Department, Jharkhand. She has held the post since February 2025.
How old is Pooja Singhal IAS?
Pooja Singhal is 48 years old as of September 2026. Her date of birth is 7 July 1978.
Who is Pooja Singhal’s husband?
Her husband is Abhishek Jha, who is associated with Pulse Super Speciality Hospital in Ranchi. They married in 2011, according to the ED’s prosecution complaint.
What was Pooja Singhal’s UPSC rank?
Her official UPSC All India Rank has not been confirmed. She cleared the Civil Services Examination 1999 and joined the IAS as part of the 2000 batch.
Why was Pooja Singhal arrested?
The ED arrested her on 11 May 2022 in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in MGNREGA works in Khunti. The case is still pending, and she has not been convicted.
Is Pooja Singhal still suspended?
No. Her suspension was revoked with effect from 7 December 2024, and she returned to government service. She was appointed Secretary of the IT and e-Governance Department in February 2025.
