Early Life & Education
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Dharmendra Kumar is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 2013 batch in Bihar cadre. (Navbharat Times)
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In the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam, he secured 25th rank. (AajTak)
Career Trajectory
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After being selected in the 2013 batch, Dharmendra Kumar’s first posting as District Magistrate (DM) was in Jamui district. (AajTak)
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Over time, he has held the position of District Magistrate / Collector in various districts of Bihar. As of the latest reports in 2025, he has been posted as DM of West Champaran (Bettiah).
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Apart from district administration, he has had roles of Additional Secretary rank (Kanistha Prashasnik Grade or equivalent) along with other administrative responsibilities. (News Track Live)
Promotions & Administrative Rank
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In December 2021, Dharmendra Kumar, among other 2013 batch IAS officers, was promoted to the rank of Additional Secretary in Bihar, effective from 1 January 2022. (News Track Live)
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His postings have included both district-level executive roles (as DM) and departmental / secretariat-level roles within the state.
Major Controversies & Personal Life
Dharmendra Kumar has drawn public attention, not only for his administrative work but also for certain controversies, especially in his personal life. These have been widely covered in media. Below are the key ones:
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Marriage, Divorce, and First Spouse Dispute
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He first married Vatsala Singh on 11 March 2015. Vatsala comes from a business family in Patna. She had studied fashion designing in Delhi. (AajTak)
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Over time, differences arose. On 7 March 2018, Dharmendra Kumar filed a divorce petition in family court in Patna. (AajTak)
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Vatsala Singh alleged “dowry harassment” against him; she also approached the National Commission for Women (NCW). She claimed that after the marriage, things changed: demands, differences in lifestyle, allegations from Kumar’s side regarding her speaking in English, wearing shorts, etc. She alleged she was being sidelined. (AajTak)
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In November 2018, there was a widely reported incident: Vatsala and her mother allegedly squatted / staged a dharna outside his official residence in Jamui because they were not allowed inside by his guards. The issue was related to the divorce filing and her claims. (The Times of India)
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Second Marriage / Marriage with Subordinate Officer
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In 2023, Dharmendra Kumar married Anu Pandey (sometimes spelled “Anu” or “Anu Pandey”), who was an officer subordinate to him, posted as OSD in Bihar’s Agriculture Department. (AajTak)
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The marriage was described as a “love marriage” by some reports. (AajTak)
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Media reports noted that this second marriage has drawn attention because of the earlier divorce and the fact that the new spouse worked under his administrative jurisdiction. (AajTak)
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Public Perception and Media Coverage
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The controversies around personal life (marriage, divorce, allegations) have become subjects of media debates, often about propriety, administrative ethics, and expectations from public servants.
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No notable criminal charges or proven corruption allegations (distinct from personal / family / domestic disputes) appear in the public domain for Dharmendra Kumar as of latest reliable sources, though media scrutiny has been intense in his district postings and personal disputes.
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Recent Postings
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As of mid / late 2025, he was appointed DM of West Champaran (Bettiah). (Indian Masterminds)
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Before that, he had served as DM in Rohtas district among others. (AajTak)
Controversies: Legal / Court Cases
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The divorce petition and domestic disputes with first wife Vatsala Singh were filed in court. The claims of dowry harassment were also formally lodged. (AajTak)
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The wife’s protest outside the official residence is also part of public record. (The Times of India)
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As far as documented in reliable sources, there have been no major court judgements (criminal or administrative) penalizing him over corruption or wrongdoing, besides the domestic / family law issues.
Strengths / Administrative Reputation
While media coverage tends to focus on controversies, there is less publicly documented criticism of his administrative work (e.g., charges of inefficiency). Being given the DM role in multiple important districts shows that the Bihar government considers him capable.
His promotions, postings, and trust to administer different districts suggest that in the internal bureaucracy he is considered an able officer.
Top Interesting Facts
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UPSC Rank: He secured a high rank — 25th rank in the UPSC civil services examination. (AajTak)
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Hails from Nalanda: He comes from Nalanda district, which has a rich historical significance. (AajTak)
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First Posting as DM: His first assignment as District Magistrate was in Jamui. (AajTak)
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Promotion to Additional Secretary Rank: Part of 2013 batch officers given elevated rank in 2021–22 across Bihar cadre. (News Track Live)
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His personal life has been deeply publicized, particularly around marital disputes, second marriage, allegations of dowry harassment, etc., which is relatively rare for bureaucrats, bringing both scrutiny and media attention.
FAQs
Question | Answer |
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What year batch is Dharmendra Kumar? | 2013 IAS batch. (Navbharat Times) |
What was his UPSC rank? | 25th rank. (AajTak) |
Which districts has he served as DM / Collector? | Jamui (first posting), Rohtas, and later West Champaran (Bettiah), among others. (AajTak) |
Has he been promoted? | Yes, included in promotions of 2013 batch IAS officers to Additional Secretary rank in Bihar (effective Jan 2022). (News Track Live) |
What controversies has he been involved in? | Marriage/divorce with first wife Vatsala Singh; allegations of dowry harassment; public protests by his wife; second marriage with subordinate officer Anu Pandey have drawn public debate. (AajTak) |
Is there any proven corruption case or criminal conviction against him? | As of latest verified information, no criminal conviction for corruption; disputes are mostly in the domain of personal/domestic law and social allegations. |
What is his current posting (as of latest available info)? | As of 2025, he is posted as DM of West Champaran (Bettiah). (Indian Masterminds) |
Who is his current spouse? | Anu Pandey, an officer under his department, with whom he married in 2023. (AajTak) |
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