Following the announcement of his successor, Yudhvir Singh Malik (IAS:1983:HY), the outgoing Union Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, is reportedly planning to engage himself in farming after his retirement on 31 March 2019. It is said that YSM’s public posturing might be part of a move to show his unwillingness for any post-retirement assignment.

Many of his colleagues who know him closely don't take him at his face value because of his proximity to the center of power. In power corridors, it is often narrated how YSM entered into a heated argument with one of his batchmates during a Video Conferencing in the presence of the top authority. Reportedly, this didn't impact his credentials.

Insiders say that despite his commitment to abstain from accepting any post-retirement assignment, Hasmukh Adhia (IAS:1981:GJ) on March 01, 2019 appointed Part-time Non-Official Director and Non-Executive Chairman on the Board of Directors of Bank of Baroda for a period of three years. It's likely that YSM may follow the same path if he doesn't get lured by a career in farming.