PremiumTheir latest asset declarations show how loose this safeguard actually is, a review by The Indian Express shows. (AI-generated image)5 min readNew DelhiNov 2, 2026 06:20 AM IST First published on: Nov 2, 2026 at 05:42 AM ISTEvery year, bureaucrats across the country are required to declare the immovable assets they own — a guardrail in force since 2011 to deter corruption and keep those who run the government accountable in the public eye. But their latest asset declarations show how loose this safeguard actually is, a review by The Indian Express shows.Of the 131 top-ranking Secretary-level officials, in this category, the newspaper was able to access the declarations of 102 under the latest mandatory filings posted on official portals in the public domain on March 31, 2026. They show that of the 244 self-acquired properties declared, 115 do not include details of area or dimensions, and 115 do not have their current value. Ten officials among the 102 have declared “nil” self-acquired properties.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdShyamlal Yadav is one of the pioneers of the effective use of RTI for investigative reporting. He is... Read More ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebook