Senior IAS officer Atish Chandra (IAS:1994:BH), who is serving as Special Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, has been picked to join the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare as OSD in the rank of Secretary from February 1, 2026.
He is expected to take over as Secretary of the Department after the present incumbent, Devesh Chaturvedi (IAS:1989:UP), superannuates on February 28, 2026.
Chandra, born on December 3, 1969, has been on central deputation since September 20, 2018. His current stint at the Centre began in the Agriculture Ministry as Joint Secretary, after which he was moved to the Food Corporation of India where he served as CMD. In May 2022, he shifted to the PMO as Additional Secretary and was later promoted to Special Secretary.
Academically, Chandra completed both his graduation and post-graduation in Political Science from Delhi University — something colleagues often say shaped his strong interest in governance and public policy rather early in his career.
A point worth noting: before 2018, Chandra never left his parent cadre. His entire career was in Bihar. He started out as Deputy Development Commissioner in Saharsa, and later became District Collector and District Magistrate in as many as six districts — Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Gaya, Madhubani, Madhepura and Vaishali. Officers who have worked with him often mention that his long field experience in Bihar shaped his work style more than anything else.
He also had a long innings in the Chief Minister’s Office, apart from holding senior roles across various state departments.
People tracking the appointment say it almost feels like a return to familiar territory. Chandra has already spent several years dealing with agriculture and food systems at the national level, and his upcoming assignment places him back in a domain where he has handled both policy and implementation.
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