Who Is Dhiman Chakma? Cracked UPSC Twice, First IFS Then IAS, Now Under Arrest

News18

9 hours ago

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Dhiman Chakma, who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination not once but twice, had become a role model for IAS aspirants, especially from the northeast
Dhiman Chakma's journey from the remote hills of Tripura to the elite ranks of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) once symbolised the triumph of grit and determination. Today, that story lies tainted in scandal. On June 8, Odisha Vigilance arrested the 2021-batch IAS officer after allegedly catching him red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh at his official residence in Kalahandi district.
Chakma, who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination not once but twice, had become a role model for IAS aspirants from the northeast. But less than four years into service, he faces serious corruption charges that threaten to end a once-promising career.
Until recently, Chakma served as Deputy Collector in Dharamgarh, a subdivision of Odisha's Kalahandi district. His administrative duties placed him in charge of local governance and rural development. But according to Odisha Vigilance officials, Chakma used his position to demand illegal payments.
The bribe complaint came from a local businessman who operates a stone crusher unit. The businessman alleged that Chakma threatened to initiate action against his unit unless he paid Rs 20 lakh. When the first Rs 10 lakh installment was delivered, a trap laid by the Vigilance team caught Chakma allegedly accepting the cash. A chemical test confirmed traces of the bribe on his hands and office drawer. What followed was a raid on his residence that yielded Rs 47 lakh in cash.
He has been booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988, amended 2018), and an investigation is underway to trace the source of the recovered money and ascertain whether more officials were involved.
Dhiman Chakma's IAS Journey
He first cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2019, securing a rank of 722, which got him into the Indian Forest Service (IFS). He was posted in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. But Chakma didn't stop there. In 2020, he appeared again for the exam, this time securing 482nd rank, and fulfilled his dream of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He was allocated the Odisha cadre.
As a 2021-batch IAS officer, he underwent one year of rigorous training before being posted to Dharamgarh. For a while, his journey was held up as an example of what hard work could achieve, especially for candidates from northeastern states.
After the news of Chakma's arrest broke, social media exploded with shocking comments. 'So much corruption in just four years?" read one post. Another questioned, 'What ethics are being taught to future administrators?" Public outrage was further fueled by the irony that Chakma had once spoken about transparency and good governance during his training and public interactions. Today, those very values are at the heart of the allegations against him.
His arrest has renewed debate around the accountability of civil servants, especially those who enter the system through highly competitive exams like the UPSC. Critics argue that while the exam tests knowledge and aptitude, it may not always capture character.
As the investigation continues, Chakma remains under scrutiny. The Rs 47 lakh cash recovery and the bribery allegation could potentially lead to suspension or even dismissal, depending on the trial's outcome. Odisha Vigilance is reportedly widening its probe to look into Chakma's other dealings during his tenure.