With Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja’s (IAS:1990:OR) extended one-year tenure ending on December 31, 2025, uncertainty continues to cloud what comes next. The Centre has yet to indicate whether it will grant him another extension, and in the absence of any signal, speculation inside the Power Corridor has only grown louder over who could step in should the top post open up.
According to senior bureaucratic circles, four names have emerged as the most likely contenders—two serving as Secretaries in the Government of India and two currently holding key assignments in the Odisha administration. The officers being discussed include Sanjeev Chopra (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution; Gudey Srinivas (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes; Anu Garg (IAS:1991:OR), Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Odisha; and Satya Brata Sahu (IAS:1991:OR), Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Odisha.
Among them, insiders say the race appears to be narrowing around two names—Sanjeev Chopra and Satya Brata Sahu. In BJP-ruled states, the pattern in recent years has favoured officers returning from central deputation to take over as Chief Secretary. Seen against this backdrop, Chopra, currently serving in central government, is perceived to have a distinct edge over the others.
Also Read: Odisha: CS Manoj Ahuja gets one-year tenure extension (December 27, 2024)
Also Read: Odisha Chief Secretary almost certain to get extension by Dec 31 (December 5, 2024)
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