In a significant bureaucratic development, senior IAS officer Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS:1989:MH), presently serving as Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre, Maharashtra. The Centre on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) approved his repatriation following a request from the Maharashtra government.
This move has sparked strong speculation within the state bureaucracy, as the extended tenure of Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar (IAS:1988:MH) is due to end on November 30, 2025. Sources suggest that Aggarwal’s return may not be coincidental, with many viewing him as a likely contender for the top bureaucratic post in the state.
Aggarwal is the senior-most IAS officer in the Maharashtra cadre, and is scheduled to retire on November 30, 2026.
He has been serving as Secretary in his current department since September 2022, marking nearly a decade-long central deputation that began in January 2015. Over the years, he has held several key positions at the Centre — including Joint Secretary (Financial Services), Joint Secretary (Tribal Affairs), Joint Secretary (Skill Development & Entrepreneurship), and later as Additional Secretary & Director General in the same ministry.
In December 2019, he was appointed Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, before returning in September 2021 as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. A year later, he was shifted to his current post in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
In his home cadre, Aggarwal began his career as Assistant Collector, Thane, and later served as District Collector, Akola, holding several crucial assignments in the Departments of Rural Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries.
Also Read: Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar Meena gets three-month extension
Join Us on WhatsApp