Chandigarh: With the extended tenure of Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi (IAS: 1990: HY) set to conclude on June 30, 2026, the state government is once again confronted with a familiar dilemma: whether to adhere strictly to seniority while selecting the next Chief Secretary or continue the practice of giving preference to officers originally belonging to the Haryana cadre.
The impending appointment has revived a long-standing debate within the Haryana bureaucracy regarding the relative standing of officers transferred from other state cadres versus those who began their careers in the original Haryana cadre.
Old Seniority Dispute Returns
The controversy traces its roots to a dispute among senior IAS officers of the Haryana cadre.
At the heart of the issue is whether officers who were transferred into the Haryana cadre from other states should enjoy the same precedence in appointments as officers who were allotted Haryana at the time of joining the Indian Administrative Service.
The issue gained prominence in 2024 when three senior IAS officers — Anurag Rastogi, Ankur Gupta (since retired), and Raja Shekhar Vundru — submitted a representation seeking revision of the state’s seniority list.
They argued that officers originally belonging to the Haryana cadre should rank above officers who were transferred into the cadre from other states.
The representation specifically affected the positions of Sudhir Rajpal and Sumita Misra, both of whom were transferred into the Haryana cadre and currently occupy the first and second positions, respectively, in the state’s IAS gradation list.
Read also: Haryana Reshuffle: 21 IAS and HCS Officers Shifted, Dr Vaishali Sharma Gets Jind Posting
How Anurag Rastogi Became Chief Secretary
Despite being placed third in the seniority list, Anurag Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary in 2024, superseding both Rajpal and Misra.
Interestingly, Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary twice within a span of a few months.
He first assumed the role on October 31, 2024, but held the position for less than a week because the appointment was linked to the anticipated return of senior IAS officer Vivek Joshi from central deputation.
Subsequently, the government again appointed Rastogi as Chief Secretary, effectively overlooking the claims of the two officers placed above him in the gradation list.
His appointment was widely viewed as an indication that the government was inclined to favour officers originally belonging to the Haryana cadre while the seniority dispute remained unresolved.
A Fresh Decision Awaits the Government
With Rastogi’s extension ending on June 30, the Haryana government must once again decide whether to prioritise seniority or continue with the precedent established last year.
If seniority becomes the deciding factor, then Sudhir Rajpal and Sumita Misra emerge as the strongest contenders.
However, if the government again gives weight to cadre origins, the selection process could take a different direction.
Sudhir Rajpal: Senior-Most Officer in the Gradation List
Among all contenders, Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990) currently holds the strongest claim based purely on seniority.
He occupies the top position in the Haryana IAS gradation list and presently serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department.
His responsibilities include:
- Home Department
- Prisons
- Criminal Investigation and Justice Administration
- Environment
- Forest and Wildlife Departments
Rajpal is scheduled to retire in November 2026, giving him a relatively short tenure if appointed Chief Secretary. Nevertheless, if the government follows the “senior-most officer” principle, he remains the frontrunner.
Sumita Misra: Experienced Administrator and Strong Contender
Second in the gradation list is Sumita Misra (IAS: 1990), another highly experienced officer.
She currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
Misra is due to retire in January 2027 and is widely regarded as an accomplished administrator with extensive experience in governance and financial management.
Observers note that her appointment could also carry symbolic significance, as she would become one of the few women to occupy the state’s highest bureaucratic office.
Raja Shekhar Vundru: A Possible Transition Choice
If Rajpal and Misra are bypassed once again, attention may shift to their batchmate Raja Shekhar Vundru (IAS: 1990).
Vundru was among the officers who sought revision of the seniority list in favour of original Haryana cadre officers.
However, his retirement is due in July 2026, leaving little scope for a long tenure.
For this reason, he is viewed more as a possible “transition Chief Secretary” rather than a long-term administrative head.
The 1991 Batch Contenders
Several 1991-batch IAS officers are also considered strong contenders if the government opts for continuity and a longer tenure.
These include:
- Vineet Garg
- Anil Malik
- G. Anupama
- Apoorva Kumar Singh
- Abhilaksh Likhi
Most of these officers have substantial administrative experience and could offer longer tenures compared to the 1990-batch officers nearing retirement.
Arun Kumar Gupta in the Mix
Another name being discussed is Arun Kumar Gupta (IAS: 1992).
Currently serving as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Gupta enjoys close administrative coordination with the Chief Minister’s Office, a factor often considered important in top-level bureaucratic appointments.
His current position gives him direct involvement in policy implementation and governance priorities of the state government.
V. Umashankar Emerges as Long-Term Option
Among the younger contenders, V. Umashankar (IAS: 1993) is increasingly being viewed as a strong candidate.
Currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Umashankar is on central deputation and is due to retire only in June 2028.
His relatively longer remaining service could make him an attractive choice for a government seeking administrative stability and continuity over the next two years.
More Than a Personnel Decision
The selection of Haryana’s next Chief Secretary is no longer merely an administrative appointment.
The decision is expected to signal how the state government intends to address the unresolved debate over cadre seniority and whether officers transferred from other states should continue to enjoy equal standing with original Haryana cadre officers.
With multiple experienced officers in contention and competing considerations of seniority, tenure, cadre identity and political confidence, the appointment is likely to be closely watched across the state’s bureaucracy.
As June 30 approaches, the Haryana government faces a crucial decision that could shape the administrative hierarchy and bureaucratic dynamics of the state for years to come.
Read also: Haryana Government Reshuffles Bureaucracy: 6 IAS and 18 HCS Officers Transferred
