New Delhi: As anticipated, the Centre has appointed Gyanesh Bharti (IAS:1998) as the new Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a day after approving his premature repatriation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to his parent cadre.
The development comes after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Bharti’s repatriation from central deputation at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the cadre-controlling authority for the AGMUT cadre.
Immediately following his repatriation, Bharti was appointed Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, filling the vacancy created after Dr Chandra Bhushan Kumar (IAS:1995) moved to the Centre as Union Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Bharti had been serving as Deputy Election Commissioner at the ECI since August 2025. His tenure at the poll panel had originally been scheduled to continue until June 2028.
Gyanesh Bharti Returns to AGMUT Cadre
The MHA order stated that, consequent upon his repatriation from central deputation, Gyanesh Bharti (AGMUT:1998) was appointed Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with effect from the date he assumes charge and until further orders.
The ACC had approved his repatriation with an extended ‘cooling-off’ period.
Bharti’s return to the AGMUT cadre comes less than a year after he was appointed Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission.
The move had been closely watched in bureaucratic circles, particularly because of Bharti’s previous experience in Union Territory administration and his earlier posting in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Vacancy Created After Chandra Bhushan Kumar’s Central Appointment
The post of Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, fell vacant following the appointment of Dr Chandra Bhushan Kumar (IAS:1995) as Union Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Bharti’s appointment now fills the top administrative position in the Union Territory.
The assignment gives the 1998-batch officer another major responsibility within the AGMUT cadre after nearly a year at the Election Commission.
From Election Commission to Andaman & Nicobar
Bharti was appointed Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission in August 2025.
The Centre had approved his appointment in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. An official gazette notification recorded his appointment at Level 15, effective from September 1, 2025, on deputation until further orders.
During his tenure, he handled important election-related responsibilities and was closely associated with preparations for elections as well as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The ECI’s current officers directory lists Bharti as Senior Deputy Election Commissioner.
Played Key Role in West Bengal Election Preparations
During his stint with the Election Commission, Bharti was closely involved in preparations for the West Bengal Assembly elections.
He led ECI teams that reviewed poll preparedness across districts and interacted with District Election Officers, Booth Level Officers and other election officials.
In April 2026, he chaired a high-level review meeting on election preparations in the state. Discussions covered issues including sensitive polling stations, voter assistance, webcasting and security arrangements.
He was also associated with the Commission’s supervision of the Special Intensive Revision exercise in West Bengal, reviewing preparedness at the district level and monitoring operational aspects of electoral-roll revision.
Before ECI, Bharti Was Additional Secretary in WCD Ministry
Before moving to the Election Commission, Bharti served as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development.
His appointment to the ECI added another major Central government assignment to a career spanning municipal administration, Union ministries, policy coordination and Union Territory administration.
His diverse administrative experience has seen him handle assignments in sectors ranging from environment and power to civic administration and electoral management.
Who Is Gyanesh Bharti?
Gyanesh Bharti is a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the AGMUT cadre.
Born on December 31, 1973, Bharti is a direct-recruit IAS officer who entered the service through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He has an academic background in mathematics, operational research and management. He holds a graduate degree in Mathematics, an M.A. in Operational Research and an M.B.A. in International Business from Delhi University.
Over nearly three decades in the IAS, he has held a wide range of assignments at the district, Union Territory, municipal and Central government levels.
First Commissioner of Unified MCD
One of Bharti’s most prominent assignments came in May 2022, when Delhi’s three municipal corporations were reunified.
The North Delhi, South Delhi and East Delhi municipal corporations were merged into a single Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Bharti was appointed the first Commissioner of the unified MCD.
The assignment placed him at the centre of one of the most significant administrative reorganisations of Delhi’s civic governance.
He was responsible for helping integrate the administrative structures and functioning of the three erstwhile municipal corporations.
Experience as South Delhi Municipal Commissioner
Before becoming the first Commissioner of the unified MCD, Bharti served as Commissioner of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) from September 2019 to May 2022.
The position involved overseeing civic administration across a major portion of the national capital, including municipal services, sanitation, infrastructure and urban governance.
His experience in Delhi’s municipal administration subsequently proved relevant when he was given the responsibility of overseeing the unified civic body.
Experience in Central Government Ministries
Bharti has also served in several important positions at the Centre.
He was Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat from September 2018 to August 2019.
Prior to that, he served as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, from March 2016 to September 2018.
He was also Director, Ministry of Power, between February 2015 and March 2016.
These assignments gave him extensive experience in policy formulation, inter-ministerial coordination and Central government administration.
Extensive Union Territory Administration Experience
A major feature of Bharti’s career is his experience in Union Territory administration, which is particularly relevant to his new assignment in Andaman & Nicobar.
Between July 2010 and October 2013, he served in senior administrative roles including Finance Secretary and Health Secretary in the administrations of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
He also served as Secretary, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) from July 2009 to June 2010.
These assignments gave him experience in managing administration in Union Territories and dealing with the distinct governance requirements of UT administrations.
Bharti Has Served in Andaman & Nicobar Before
Interestingly, Bharti is not new to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Between July 2002 and October 2005, he served as Deputy Commissioner in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands administration, including responsibilities related to administration and disaster management.
His earlier experience in the islands adds significance to his appointment as Chief Secretary.
The combination of his previous familiarity with the Union Territory and his later experience in senior-level Union Territory administration gives Bharti a substantial administrative background for his new role.
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi Gets NDMC Chairperson Post
The latest development also comes against the backdrop of another important AGMUT appointment.
On August 5, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the appointment of senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (IAS:1997) as Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
The appointment was made under the provisions of the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Dwivedi’s appointment places another senior AGMUT officer in a key position in Delhi’s civic administration.
What Does the Repatriation Mean?
Bharti’s repatriation was approved by the ACC at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with an extended cooling-off period.
The repatriation effectively brings him back from Central deputation to the AGMUT cadre before the completion of his originally expected tenure at the Election Commission.
His appointment as Chief Secretary immediately after repatriation indicates that the cadre government had a significant administrative role lined up for him.
The move also demonstrates how experienced AGMUT officers with backgrounds in Union Territory administration can be deployed to key assignments within the cadre.
A Career Spanning Municipal Governance, Policy and Elections
Bharti’s career has covered a wide range of administrative responsibilities.
From serving as Deputy Commissioner in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands early in his career to becoming the first Commissioner of the unified MCD, working in key Union ministries and later taking on election responsibilities at the ECI, he has handled assignments across multiple domains.
His latest posting as Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands brings him back to a Union Territory where he had served more than two decades ago, this time at the highest level of its civil administration.
The appointment therefore marks another significant chapter in the career of the 1998-batch AGMUT officer.
Read also: Who Is Ex-IAS L Khiangte? Former JPSC Chairman Arrested Amid Protests Over Exam Paper Leak
