Just like that. That’s exactly what happened to three key aides of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. In early July, all were removed; one on “administrative grounds”, another “prematurely repatriated”, and a third’s appointment simply “terminated”. No big press release. No explanation. Just silence. Now, the government has quietly appointed IAS officer Prashanth Kumar C H; a 2015 Bihar cadre officer; as the new Private Secretary. He’ll serve for five years, or till the minister’s term ends; whichever comes first. But here’s what’s really curious: Why the sudden purge? The Congress party is demanding answers. Jairam Ramesh called it “shocking”. Abhishek Singhvi asked: “What went wrong? Who is accountable?” In the world of government jobs, especially at the ministerial level, sudden reshuffles aren’t rare. But when it’s a clean sweep; no warnings, no justifications; it raises eyebrows. Especially when the minister is handling critical issues like climate change and environment policy. For aspirants, this is a reminder: IAS isn’t just about clearing the exam. It’s about navigating the unseen tides of power, loyalty, and politics. One day you’re in. The next? You’re out. And the only thing that matters is who you’re serving; and how well you serve them. The bigger story? Sometimes, the most important moves happen silently; behind closed doors, with no headlines.