Patna: A significant administrative overhaul is underway in Bihar as the state government prepares to fill key top-level positions in the bureaucratic machinery ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Following the announcement that Pratyay Amrit will assume charge as Chief Secretary from September 1, the critical post of Development Commissioner will fall vacant — prompting a new round of senior appointments within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre in Bihar.
New Development Commissioner Before September 1
As Pratyay Amrit transitions into his new role, the position of Development Commissioner — the second-most senior post in the state bureaucracy — will be vacated. A new appointment is expected before September 1, and discussions at the highest levels are underway.
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Among the frontrunners are:
Dr. S. Siddharth, currently the most senior officer after the Chief Secretary. However, he is due to retire in November 2025, which may impact his prospects.
Deepak Kumar Singh, a seasoned IAS officer currently handling two major departments — Rural Works and Revenue and Land Reforms — is also being seriously considered. If appointed, his existing charges will be redistributed to another Additional Chief Secretary-level officer.
Health & Disaster Management Departments to Get New ACS
Currently, Pratyay Amrit holds the dual charge of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for both the Health and Disaster Management departments. With his elevation to Chief Secretary, new senior appointments will be made in both departments — a move that could influence key policy implementation and coordination, especially with monsoon-related challenges ongoing.
Heavy Workload Among Current Additional Chief Secretaries
Bihar currently has seven officers at the Additional Chief Secretary level, each managing at least two to three departments, highlighting the administrative burden borne by the top bureaucracy:
- Deepak Kumar Singh: Rural Works and Revenue & Land Reforms
- Harjot Kaur Bamhrah: Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Revenue Board
- Mihir Kumar Singh: Industries, Transport, and Chief Investigation Commissioner
- Arvind Kumar Chaudhary: Home, Vigilance, and Examination Controller (Bihar Joint Entrance Board)
- Dr. N Vijayalakshmi and Dr. B. Rajender also hold key multi-departmental roles
With Amrit Lal Meena set to retire, a senior officer will be promoted to ACS rank, adding another name to the reshuffling equation.
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Strategic Timing Amid Election Preparations
The administrative reshuffle comes just ahead of the anticipated notification for the Bihar assembly elections, making it a crucial move to ensure efficient governance and continuity in public service delivery. Sources suggest the government aims to finalize appointments this month, allowing new appointees to settle into their roles before election duties ramp up.
