With Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi’s (IAS:1988:UK) extended tenure set to expire on March 31, speculation about her successor has started making rounds. However, there is little room for uncertainty, as only one IAS officer in the cadre meets the prerequisite of having more than 30 years of experience—Anand Bardhan (IAS:1992:UK). The next senior-most officer, Ramesh Kumar Sudhanshu (IAS:1997:UK), is five years junior to him, making Bardhan the clear frontrunner.
Only two developments could change the equation. First, if Radha Raturi is granted a third extension, but this appears unlikely as repeated extensions are generally not approved by the Centre. Second, if Anand Bardhan moves to central deputation, though this, too, seems improbable since bureaucrats typically prefer being promoted as Chief Secretary over being appointed as a Union Government Secretary.
Should Anand Bardhan, widely regarded as one of the most honest and efficient officers in the cadre, take charge as Chief Secretary, he would have a tenure of over two years, as he is set to retire in June 2027.
Notably, Radha Raturi was appointed as Chief Secretary on January 31, 2024. Since she was originally set to retire on March 31, 2024, she was granted two six-month extensions, the second of which ends this month (March 2025).
Anand Bardhan is currently posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Finance. He also holds charges of several departments, including Watershed, Housing, Chief Administrator of Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Chief Project Director (Watershed), and ACS, Personnel and Vigilance
