Chandigarh: The Haryana government has begun the search for a new Chief Secretary (CS) following the sudden deterioration of Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi’s health. Rastogi, a 1990 batch IAS officer, suffered a major heart attack and underwent bypass surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali under the supervision of Dr. P.S. Mahant. He has been advised two months of strict bed rest and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In this situation, the state administration is exploring the possibility of giving additional charge of CS to senior IAS officers to ensure uninterrupted governance.
Leading Contenders for Chief Secretary
The names currently being discussed for the post are:
Sudhir Rajpal (IAS:1990) – Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Women & Child Development Department. He is the most senior among active officers eligible for the position and will retire on 30 November 2026.
Dr. Sumita Mishra (IAS:1990) – Retiring on 31 January 2027, she is also a strong contender given her seniority and experience in the state administration.
Both officers had previously been bypassed when Anurag Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary, despite being senior in rank. At the time, the government cited their outside cadre status as the reason for overlooking seniority.
Why a New Chief Secretary Is Urgently Needed
Extended Absence of Current CS: Rastogi’s doctors have recommended two months of bed rest, leaving the state without its top bureaucrat. The government cannot leave the Chief Secretary position vacant, given its critical role in administration.
Upcoming Assembly Budget Session: Haryana’s Assembly Budget Session is scheduled for March 2026. CS Rastogi also holds additional charge of the Finance Department and was actively involved in pre-budget preparations.
Municipal Elections in February: Elections in Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat municipal corporations are expected soon. The Urban Local Bodies Department has completed preparations, and the State Election Commission could announce election dates at any time. The government seeks continuity at the bureaucratic level to ensure smooth conduct.
Background on Seniority and Previous Contenders
The extension of Anurag Rastogi’s tenure had previously disappointed other senior IAS officers, including Anand Mohan (1990 batch), who retired on 31 August 2025. Sudhir Rajpal and Dr. Sumita Mishra were also contenders but were bypassed due to the government’s preference for Rastogi at the time.
If appointed now, Sudhir Rajpal would hold the post for a relatively short period due to his upcoming retirement, while Dr. Sumita Mishra could potentially serve longer, until early 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Haryana CS Anurag Rastogi on two months of bed rest after heart surgery
- Government exploring Sudhir Rajpal and Dr. Sumita Mishra as potential replacements
- Urgency driven by March Budget Session and February municipal elections
Seniority debates could resurface given previous bypass of top contenders
