Just a day after her retirement, former Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, Alka Tiwari (IAS:1988:JH), was appointed as the State Election Commissioner of the state. She succeeds her husband, Devendra Kumar Tiwari (IAS:1986:JH), who had earlier held the same post. With this development, the Tiwari couple has entered a unique league—becoming the only bureaucratic couple in the country to consecutively occupy both of Jharkhand’s most coveted positions: the top administrative role of Chief Secretary and the crucial electoral oversight role of State Election Commissioner.
Alka Tiwari served as Chief Secretary of Jharkhand from November 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, while her husband D. K. Tiwari had held the same position between April 1, 2019, and March 30, 2020. After completing his tenure as Chief Secretary, he went on to serve as State Election Commissioner from February 2021 to March 2025. Now, Alka Tiwari has succeeded him in that constitutional post.
As per the notification, Alka Tiwari will serve as State Election Commissioner for a term of four years from the date of assuming office. However, if she attains the age of 65 before the completion of the term, she will demit office on that date. Her tenure and service conditions will be governed by the State Election Commissioner (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2001 and its amendments.
Alka Tiwari retired as Chief Secretary of Jharkhand on September 30, 2025 and hand over the charge of post to new Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar (IAS:1993:JH) . At the farewell ceremony held in her honour, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced her nomination as the next State Election Commissioner.
Also Read: Avinash Kumar appointed as new Jharkhand Chief Secretary
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