Senior IAS officer Pratyaya Amrit (IAS:1991:BH) on Monday (September 1, 2025) officially took charge as the new Chief Secretary of Bihar, succeeding Amrit Lal Meena (IAS:1989:BH), who retired on August 31. His appointment order had been issued earlier on August 4, 2025.
Widely Regarded as a Turnaround Specialist
Amrit is widely acknowledged as one of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s key executors of governance reforms. Known for his ability to deliver results in challenging environments, he played a pivotal role in Bihar’s transformation story. As Secretary, Road Construction, and later as Energy Secretary, Amrit spearheaded landmark projects including the Ganga Path and the AIIMS–Digha flyover, in addition to ensuring last-mile village electrification ahead of the 2015 Assembly elections.
Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence
In 2011, Amrit became the only IAS officer to win the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the individual category. The recognition came for his turnaround of the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation (BSBCC), which he revived from a loss-making unit into a profitable enterprise—considered a defining example of Bihar’s administrative turnaround.
Crisis Management and Coordination Roles
Beyond infrastructure, Amrit has often been the government’s “go-to” officer for complex assignments. In July 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was given additional charge as Principal Secretary, Health, while also holding the Energy portfolio—a move reflecting the state government’s confidence in his crisis management and coordination abilities.
Career and Experience
A 1991-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, Amrit has served in diverse assignments across both the state and at the Centre. His early years saw district postings in Jharkhand (prior to state bifurcation), followed by leadership roles in Bihar’s infrastructure departments. He also completed a five-year central deputation in New Delhi, before returning to Patna in 2006 at the request of the Chief Minister to accelerate Bihar’s rebuilding agenda.
Educational Background
Pratyaya completed his graduation from Hindu College, University of Delhi. He did his post graduation in Ancient History and was topper in Delhi University. Amrit was offered a lecturer’s job in Sri Venkateswara College, New Delhi. He is frequently invited as a speaker on public administration, governance, and project execution, reflecting his reputation as both a practitioner and thought leader in state-building.
Why This Matters
With Pratyaya Amrit at the helm, Bihar signals continuity in its infrastructure and service-delivery agenda. His elevation as Chief Secretary comes at a pivotal juncture, placing an experienced hand at the wheel as the state heads into assembly elections.
Also Read: Pratyaya Amrit appointed as new Bihar Chief Secretary
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