Telangana’s first woman Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari (IAS:1989:TG) is due to retire at the month-end, triggering speculation on whether she will get an extension or a successor will be named. Her chances of an extension appear dim in light of the recent State order ending the services of all officers serving on extension.
Amid the churn, three senior bureaucrats are in the frame for Chief Secretary: K Ramakrishna Rao (IAS:1991:TG), Special Chief Secretary, Finance & Planning; Jayesh Ranjan (IAS:1992:TG), Special Chief Secretary, IT&EC and Industries & Commerce; and Vikas Raj (IAS:1992:TG), Special Chief Secretary, Roads & Buildings.
K Ramakrishna Rao—known for fiscal acumen—is seen as the frontrunner, but he has little service left, with retirement falling in August 2025. Within the Secretariat, there is a view that his services could be tapped as Advisor (Finance) post-retirement.
Jayesh Ranjan is of Uttar Pradesh origin. The political criticism voiced earlier by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy targeted postings given to Bihar-origin officers under the previous regime; therefore, that specific line of attack does not apply to Ranjan. Even so, political considerations could still shape the final call.
The CM had, in the past, invoked “Telugu pride” and criticised the so-called “Bihari batch,” naming former CS Somesh Kumar, former DGP Anjani Kumar, Special CS Arvind Kumar, among others, to make his case.
Against this backdrop, Vikas Raj—who is of Bihar origin, has tenure till 2028, and is regarded for strong administrative judgment—remains a viable contender. However, if a non-Bihar profile is preferred, Jayesh Ranjan’s case may strengthen relative to Vikas Raj’s, while K Ramakrishna Rao’s limited residual service remains the key constraint.
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