With the incumbent Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary (CS), Atal Dulloo (IAS:1989:AGMUT), nearing his scheduled retirement on October 31, 2026, a hunt for the new CS for J&K has begun. The Centre is understood to be examining possible names for this post.
According to reliable sources, among the names being discussed for the coveted post, Shaleen Kabra (IAS:1992:AGMUT), an erstwhile J&K cadre officer, is considered a top contender. He is currently serving as Financial Commissioner in the Additional Chief Secretary rank in the Jal Shakti Department of the J&K govt and holds additional responsibilities in the Revenue and Estates departments. His long administrative association with the region has placed him among the top contenders.
Besides being the senior-most officer after Dulloo, another factor that goes in Kabra’s favour is his remaining service tenure. He is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2028, which would leave him with nearly two years of service left to serve as the CS after Dulloo’s retirement. The longer remaining tenure could be relevant in an administrative consideration.
But, Kabra is not the only one in the contention, as several other senior officers also figure in the consideration list.
One among them is 1992-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer Vijay Kumar, currently on central deputation serving as Secretary in the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Another is IAS officer Rajeev Kumar (IAS:1992:AGMUT), currently posted as Delhi’s Chief Secretary.
The 1993 batch officers in the race include senior officers such as Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary in the Union Health Ministry, and Dheeraj Gupta, currently serving as Principal Secretary to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Dheeraj Gupta is another serious contender due to his long association with the J&K administration.
Although AGMUT officers are expected to remain central to the selection exercise, the possibility of an officer from outside it can’t be ruled out. Such a move could widen the field.
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