A key administrative reshuffle has taken place in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections, with the Election Commission of India appointing Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapur, IAS, as the new District Magistrate and District Election Officer of Malda.

The directive, issued on March 18, 2026, is part of a broader statewide exercise aimed at strengthening neutrality and ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process across districts preparing for polls.

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Rajanvir Singh Kapur, a 2012-batch IAS officer, steps into the role with extensive administrative experience. He previously served as the Managing Director of the West Bengal Transport Corporation, where he was known for introducing practical reforms and improving operational efficiency. His tenure as District Magistrate of Jhargram also earned recognition for effective field-level governance and responsive administration.

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This change follows the transfer of Dr. Preeti Goyal, IAS, who had been serving as Malda’s District Magistrate since late 2025. She has now been reassigned to a non-election-related role at the State Secretariat in Nabanna, Kolkata. Such transfers are in line with standard Election Commission guidelines, which mandate the relocation of key officials in poll-bound areas to maintain administrative impartiality.

Kapur has been instructed to take charge without delay, with formal confirmation of his assumption of office submitted by March 19 afternoon.

In his new capacity as DM-cum-DEO, he will be responsible for overseeing both the district’s administrative functions and the conduct of elections. His duties will include supervising voter-related processes, ensuring security arrangements at polling stations, and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.

For administrative or election-related matters, residents can contact the District Magistrate’s office at the New Collectorate Building in English Bazar.