Chandigarh: The Haryana bureaucracy is witnessing discussions over appointments to two important regulatory positions following the resignation of former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Preneet S. Sachdev as Chairman of the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA).
According to discussions in bureaucratic circles, former IAS officer Arun Kumar Gupta (IAS: 1992: Haryana) is being considered for the vacant HRERA chairperson’s post. Gupta retired on September 30, 2026, after serving as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Meanwhile, senior IAS officer Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990: Haryana) is being discussed as a possible candidate for Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) after his retirement on November 30, 2026.
Sachdev’s resignation was accepted on October 30. There is speculation in administrative circles that his departure may have been linked to the possibility of Gupta’s appointment. However, no official confirmation of Gupta’s selection has been issued.
Who Is Arun Kumar Gupta?
Arun Kumar Gupta is a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Haryana cadre. During his career, he held several influential positions in the state government, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and senior responsibilities in the Finance and Town and Country Planning departments.
Born on September 14, 1966, Gupta holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra. He also completed an M.Tech in Industrial Management.
He joined the IAS through the UPSC Civil Services Examination and has served in various administrative capacities over more than three decades.
Former Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister
Gupta served as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and was among the key bureaucratic officials in the Chief Minister’s Office.
He was appointed to the position after replacing V. Umashankar. Alongside his CMO responsibilities, he also handled important portfolios in the Haryana government, including Finance.
His association with the state administration’s senior leadership and experience in policy and departmental management have brought his name into discussions surrounding the HRERA chairperson’s appointment.
Experience in Town and Country Planning
One of the important aspects of Gupta’s administrative career is his experience in the Town and Country Planning Department.
He served as Director General and Administrative Secretary of the department for an extended period. He also held responsibilities as Additional Chief Secretary for Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates, as well as Industries and Commerce.
His experience in urban planning and administration is particularly relevant to the HRERA role, as the authority regulates the real estate sector and the construction industry in Haryana.
Gupta also served as Home Secretary of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from May 2018 to September 2021. Other assignments included Principal Secretary for Urban Local Bodies and senior responsibilities in the Labour Department.
Read also: Who Is Sudhir Rajpal? Haryana Govt Grants Special Exemption to IAS Officer Ahead of Retirement
Sudhir Rajpal May Become HERC Chairman
Another senior bureaucrat whose name is being discussed for an important regulatory appointment is Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990: Haryana).
Rajpal is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Haryana government and holds charge of several important departments, including Finance and Planning, Home, Environment and Forests, among others.
He is scheduled to retire from the IAS on November 30, 2026.
According to discussions in bureaucratic circles, Rajpal may be appointed Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission. Although Gupta is also reported to have applied for the position, Rajpal is being considered a prominent contender.
Who Is IAS Sudhir Rajpal?
Sudhir Rajpal is a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre with more than three decades of administrative experience.
Born on November 25, 1966, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Economics and an MBA. He also completed a postgraduate programme in Public Policy and Management from Princeton University in the United States.
During his career, Rajpal has handled a wide range of responsibilities in district administration and the state government. His assignments have covered agriculture, health, education, civil aviation, finance and internal administration.
Key Administrative Assignments
Rajpal has served in several senior positions in Haryana, including Additional Chief Secretary for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Civil Aviation, School Education and Health and Family Welfare.
He also served as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon for four years and nine months, one of his longest individual postings.
His administrative experience includes central deputation as well as responsibilities in different departments of the Haryana government.
Currently Handling Key Haryana Departments
In his present assignment, Rajpal is handling several important portfolios as Additional Chief Secretary.
These include Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation and Administration of Justice, along with Environment, Forests and Wildlife. He has also been assigned additional responsibilities in Finance and Planning.
His current responsibilities place him at the centre of several important administrative and policy matters in the state.
Two Key Regulatory Appointments Await Decisions
The possible appointments of Arun Kumar Gupta as HRERA Chairman and Sudhir Rajpal as HERC Chairman have generated considerable discussion in Haryana’s bureaucratic circles.
While Gupta’s experience in Town and Country Planning makes him a name being considered for the real estate regulator’s top position, Rajpal’s seniority and administrative experience have brought him into the discussion for the electricity regulator’s leadership.
However, both appointments remain subject to official decisions. The Haryana government’s eventual choices will determine who takes charge of the two important regulatory institutions.
Read also: Haryana Chief Secretary Race Heats Up: Who Is IAS V. Umashankar, Likely to Succeed Anurag Rastogi?
