Making history in West Bengal’s bureaucratic set-up, the state government on Wednesday (December 31, 2025), appointed senior IAS officer Nandini Chakraborty (IAS:1994:WB) as the Chief Secretary of the state. She is the first woman officer to hold the top bureaucratic post in West Bengal.
Chakraborty succeeded Manoj Pant (IAS:1991:WB), who retired on Wednesday after completing a six-month extension. Pant was originally due to retire in June 2025 but was granted an extension by the state government. He had assumed charge as Chief Secretary in September 2024 following the retirement of Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika (IAS:1989:WB).
At the time of her appointment, Nandini Chakraborty was serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hills Affairs Department, with additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs Department and Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department.
During her long administrative career, Chakraborty has held several key positions in the state government. She has also remained in the public spotlight due to certain administrative controversies.
In the recent past, she served as Principal Secretary to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. Her tenure at Raj Bhavan witnessed a tense standoff between the Governor’s office and the state secretariat following her proposed removal from the post.
While Raj Bhavan had sought her release from the Governor’s Secretariat, the state government instructed that she should continue in the position. The issue escalated until the Chief Minister intervened and held separate discussions with the Governor.
Subsequently, the state government decided to remove Nandini Chakraborty from the post of Principal Secretary to the Governor. She was then assigned the charge of the Tourism Department.
In December 2023, she was entrusted with the key responsibility of the Home and Hills Affairs Department, a role she continued to hold until her elevation as Chief Secretary.
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