Arvind Saxena, first RAW officer appointed in UPSC

NEW DELHI: Arvind Saxena, in-charge of Aviation and Research Centre of external snooping agency RAW, was today appointed as a member of UPSC becoming the first officer of 32-year Research and Analysis Service to be named to the commission.

After the appointment of Saxena, who was due to retire in August, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is left with only one vacancy. The UPSC is a 10-member body besides a Chairperson.

According to the order, Saxena's tenure will commence from the date he assumes the office of member, UPSC.

After formation in 1983 of RAS service, all officers who were with Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were given option of either going back to their service or joining the newly formed RAS along with their seniority.

Under the new rule, Saxena was absorbed as an RAS officer of 1978 batch.

The government had set afoot the process of including Saxena, Director and ex-officio Special Secretary, Aviation Research Centre (ARC), in the UPSC in March when it gave additional charge to RAW chief Rajinder Khanna as Director General (Security) which looks after the aviation wing and special forces within the organisation.

The ARC carries out aerial surveillance of borders using its unmanned aerial vehicles and other aircraft including MIGs and helicopters. It also has the responsibility with IAF to transport Special Frontier Force commandos.