Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra is set to retire on June 30, 2024, unless he receives a fourth extension. Speculation in the power corridors suggests Mishra may not be as fortunate this time. His third extension in December 2023 was granted to maintain bureaucratic stability ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections in May and June 2024. However, a new face might take over the state’s top bureaucratic post this time.
The question now is who will succeed Durga Shankar Mishra as Chief Secretary. Bureaucratic buzz suggests mainly three names among the nine senior-most IAS officers in the cadre: Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS:1988:UP), Shashi Prakash Goyal (IAS:1989:UP) and Devesh Chaturvedi (IAS:1989:UP).
Generally, the Chief Secretary position goes to the senior-most IAS officer. The seniority list includes nine IAS officers from the 1987, 1988, and 1989 batches. Two belong to the 1987 batch, three belong to the 1988 batch, and four belong to the 1989 batch:
- Arun Singhal (IAS:1987:UP)
- Leena Nandan (IAS:1987:UP)
- Dr. Rajneesh Dube (IAS:1988:UP)
- Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS:1988:UP)
- S Radha Chauhan (IAS:1988:UP)
- Shashi Prakash Goyal (IAS:1989:UP)
- Devesh Chaturvedi (IAS:1989:UP)
- Manoj Singh (IAS:1989:UP)
- Anil Kumar-II (IAS:1989:UP)
If the buzz is to be believed, Manoj Kumar Singh, currently serving as Agriculture Production Commissioner along with other important departments, appears to have a clear edge over other contenders. He is close to CM Adityanath and is considered a trusted lieutenant. He is fourth in the seniority list and is set to retire next year. Notably, Manoj Kumar Singh was given additional charge of Chief Secretary post when DS Mishra went on leave for a week amid the Lok Sabha elections on April 24, 2024.
There are three IAS officers senior to Manoj Kumar Singh in the cadre: Arun Singhal, Leena Nandan, and Dr. Rajneesh Dube. The first two are serving in the Government of India as Director General, National Archives of India, Ministry of Culture, and Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, respectively. Currently, there is no indication that they will return from central deputation. Dr. Rajneesh Dube, Chairman, Revenue Board, is not in the race as he is set to retire in August 2024.
It is important to note that SP Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary, Personnel, have been given NOCs from the state government for appointment in the Government of India as Secretaries, as they are already empanelled for holding Secretary-level posts.
However, there is speculation that SP Goyal might still become Chief Secretary, given his status as one of the most trusted officials of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Ever since Yogi Adityanath took command as Chief Minister, Goyal has been posted in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Devesh Chaturvedi is currently posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Personnel, along with the charge of ACS, Agriculture Department. He has a clean image and maintains good relations with both the Chief Minister and Delhi, so it may not be a big surprise if he is chosen for the state’s top bureaucratic post.
