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The transfer orders, dated April 17, said the reshuffle has been done “in public interest” with immediate effect.
Sources at the regulatory body said the reshuffle was aimed at addressing compliance gaps and reducing the influence that long-posted officials may wield over the pharmaceutical industry, which contributes over $50 billion to India’s economy and is among the world’s largest generic drug suppliers. Some others termed it a routine exercise.
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“A shake-up at the inspector level is a step toward restoring integrity. Transfers of this scale signal intent,” said a senior official, requesting anonymity. “When inspectors stay too long in one jurisdiction, relationships tend to complicate enforcement.”
The reshuffle is also governed by a structured transfer policy that mandates rotation of officials completing three years of service at a place by June 30 of the relevant year.
According to the transfer policy of 2023, officials may submit up to three location preferences to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Seniority is the primary criterion while deciding transfers, supplemented by the government’s working spouse policy.Also read | Weight-loss drug craze for Ozempic, Mounjaro surges in India amid safety concerns
The policy entails a strict ten-year cap on postings in any single metropolitan city or district regardless of rank or office changes within the city. This provision directly targets the problem of regulatory capture in major pharma clusters such as Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
Industry experts said the mass reshuffle could also be a part of overhaul announced in the union budget 2026.
