Madhya Pradesh IAS Officer Avi Prasad Marries for Third Time, Personal Life Draws Public Attention

YUGCHARAN | 16/02/2026

Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Avi Prasad has entered into matrimony for the third time, an event that has drawn notable attention within administrative, political and public circles in Madhya Pradesh. The development, while rooted in personal choice, has become a subject of wider discussion because all three of Prasad’s spouses have been IAS officers, a rare occurrence within India’s civil services. The marriage took place on February 11, 2026, and has since generated widespread conversation, particularly after photographs from the ceremony surfaced on social media.

While officials have emphasised that the matter pertains to the personal life of a serving officer, the episode once again highlights the intense public scrutiny faced by senior bureaucrats in India, whose professional roles often blur the boundaries between private life and public interest.

Background and Context

Avi Prasad is a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, known within the administration for holding several key field and policy-level positions. Originally from Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh, Prasad’s journey into the civil services reflects both academic achievement and a legacy of public life.

He first cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in 2013, securing selection to the Indian Police Service (IPS). A year later, he reappeared for the examination and achieved an All India Rank of 13 in 2014, enabling his induction into the IAS. Such a transition is relatively uncommon and has often been cited as evidence of his academic credentials and determination.

Prasad also comes from a political family background. His grandfather, Tambeshwar Prasad, popularly known as Baccha Babu, served as a minister in the government of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. This lineage has occasionally placed Prasad in the public eye even beyond his administrative responsibilities.

Details of the Third Marriage

The recent marriage was solemnised at Kuno National Park, a location better known nationally for wildlife conservation efforts, including the cheetah reintroduction project, than for private ceremonies. Prasad married Ankita Dhakre, a 2017-batch IAS officer currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Madhya Pradesh state administration.

The choice of venue and the fact that both bride and groom are serving officers contributed to heightened public curiosity. Images from the wedding circulated widely online, eliciting a range of responses, from congratulatory messages to debates about the scrutiny faced by civil servants.

Previous Marriages and Professional Continuity

Prasad’s first marriage was to Riju Bafna, an IAS officer who is presently serving as the Collector of Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh. The two reportedly met during their civil services preparation days in Delhi. After a few years, the marriage ended in divorce. Despite the separation, both officers continued their respective administrative careers without reported professional disruption.

Following this, Prasad married Misha Singh, a 2016-batch IAS officer. After their marriage, Singh was transferred to the Madhya Pradesh cadre. The couple separated after approximately four years. Singh is currently serving as the Collector of Ratlam district, having assumed charge in 2025.

In all three instances, observers within the bureaucracy have noted that the personal developments did not visibly affect the officers’ professional trajectories, underscoring the institutional emphasis on separating personal matters from official responsibilities.

Administrative Career in Madhya Pradesh

Within the Madhya Pradesh administration, Avi Prasad has held several significant postings. His field experience includes serving as District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer and as Collector in multiple districts. Among his tenures, his period as Collector of Katni district attracted particular attention for initiatives aimed at tackling malnutrition, a persistent public health challenge in the region.

These initiatives reportedly focused on improving the implementation of nutrition schemes and strengthening coordination between health, women and child development departments. Administrative observers credited these efforts with enhancing last-mile delivery, though challenges remained.

Prasad currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Employment Guarantee Council in Madhya Pradesh, a role that places him at the centre of policy execution related to rural employment and social security. The position carries significant responsibility, particularly amid ongoing debates on employment generation and welfare delivery.

Public and Official Reactions

The news of Prasad’s third marriage prompted mixed reactions. Within bureaucratic circles, many officials have maintained that marriage and divorce are personal matters and should not be subjected to public commentary as long as conduct rules are not violated. Senior officials have largely refrained from making on-record statements, reflecting a preference to avoid setting precedents for discussing colleagues’ private lives.

On social media and in public discourse, reactions ranged from congratulatory messages to broader debates about why the personal lives of civil servants attract disproportionate attention. Some commentators pointed out that senior administrators, by virtue of their authority and public visibility, often face scrutiny that private citizens do not.

Broader Impact and Analysis

The episode has reignited discussion on the boundaries between personal privacy and public accountability for civil servants. In India, senior bureaucrats occupy positions of trust and influence, which often leads to heightened interest in their personal decisions. However, experts in public administration argue that such scrutiny should be limited strictly to matters that affect governance, integrity or misuse of office.

Repeated focus on personal relationships, they contend, risks diverting attention from substantive issues such as administrative performance, policy outcomes and public service delivery. At the same time, the widespread circulation of personal information reflects the changing media and social landscape, where private events can quickly become public narratives.

From an institutional perspective, there is little indication that Prasad’s marriage has any bearing on administrative functioning. The continuity of service by all officers involved suggests that the civil services framework remains resilient in maintaining professional standards irrespective of personal developments.

What Happens Next

In the immediate term, Avi Prasad is expected to continue in his current role as CEO of the Employment Guarantee Council. There have been no official indications of changes to his posting or responsibilities linked to the marriage.

For the administration, the focus remains on governance priorities, including employment schemes, welfare delivery and economic challenges facing the state. Observers expect that public attention will gradually shift back to these substantive issues once the initial interest surrounding the marriage subsides.

Conclusion

Avi Prasad’s third marriage has attracted attention largely because of the unique circumstances surrounding it, rather than any administrative implication. While the event has sparked public discussion, it ultimately underscores the reality that senior civil servants, despite their public roles, also navigate complex personal lives.

As long as professional conduct and institutional integrity remain intact, such personal developments are unlikely to have lasting significance beyond momentary public curiosity. For the Madhya Pradesh administration, the emphasis continues to be on governance outcomes, not private choices.