Chandigarh/Gurugram: The Haryana government has approached the Centre seeking a second service extension for Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi (IAS:1990), whose current tenure is scheduled to end on June 30, 2026.
According to reports, the Nayab Singh Saini-led government has requested a fresh one-year extension, which, if approved by the Union government, would allow Rastogi to continue as Haryana’s Chief Secretary until June 2027.
The proposal underscores the confidence the state leadership has reposed in the veteran bureaucrat and highlights the government’s preference for continuity in governance amid several ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
Why Haryana Wants Rastogi to Continue
Sources indicate that the Haryana government has cited multiple ongoing administrative and governance initiatives as reasons for seeking another extension.
These include:
- Implementation of the paperless registry system
- Expansion of Parivar Pehchan Patra-linked welfare schemes
- E-governance and digital administration reforms
- Monitoring of major investment projects
- Execution of Centrally-sponsored programmes
- Administrative continuity in key governance sectors
Officials believe that retaining Rastogi at the helm would help ensure smooth implementation of these initiatives.
Extension Would Impact Senior Officers’ Chances
If approved, the extension could have significant implications for several senior IAS officers of the Haryana cadre who have been considered contenders for the state’s top bureaucratic post.
Rastogi currently belongs to the 1990 batch of the Haryana cadre. His continuation until June 2027 would effectively rule out promotion opportunities for several officers senior to or placed above him in the cadre seniority list.
Among them are:
- Sudhir Rajpal (IAS:1990)
- Sumita Misra (IAS:1990)
- Raja Sekhar Vundru (IAS:1990)
When Rastogi was appointed Chief Secretary, both Rajpal and Misra were reportedly placed above him in Haryana’s IAS gradation list.
However, the government chose Rastogi for the coveted position, first on an interim basis and later as the full-fledged Chief Secretary.
How Rastogi Became Chief Secretary
Anurag Rastogi’s journey to the state’s top bureaucratic position has been marked by unusual circumstances.
On October 31, 2024, he was appointed Chief Secretary on an interim basis after then-designated Chief Secretary Dr Vivek Joshi required time to return from Central deputation.
That arrangement lasted only a few days.
The situation changed in February 2025 when Vivek Joshi was appointed Election Commissioner. The Haryana government once again turned to Rastogi, appointing him as the full-fledged Chief Secretary.
At the time, the decision attracted attention because it overlooked the claims of some senior officers within the cadre.
Rastogi reached the age of superannuation on June 30, 2025, but was granted a one-year extension that allowed him to continue in office until June 30, 2026.
Now, the government wants him to remain in the position for another year.
Seniority Dispute in Haryana Cadre
The issue of seniority among Haryana’s 1990-batch IAS officers has been a subject of discussion for several years.
In February 2024, Anurag Rastogi, along with batchmates Ankur Gupta and Raja Sekhar Vundru, reportedly submitted a representation seeking revision of the cadre seniority list.
The representation argued that Sudhir Rajpal and Sumita Misra had been allocated to Haryana after initially belonging to other state cadres and therefore their seniority should be reconsidered.
The matter was taken up by the then Chief Secretary T.V.S.N. Prasad, who reportedly held personal hearings involving all concerned officers.
However, no final decision was taken on the issue.
Sumita Misra subsequently clarified that she was not transferred from another cadre but was provisionally allotted to Haryana, an allocation that was later confirmed.
Despite the unresolved seniority dispute, the government eventually appointed Rastogi as Chief Secretary.
If Extension Is Approved, Several Contenders Will Retire
The timing of the proposed extension is significant.
If Rastogi continues until June 2027, several senior officers who could have been considered for the Chief Secretary’s post would retire before getting an opportunity.
Their retirement schedules are:
- Raja Sekhar Vundru (1990 batch): July 31, 2026
- Sudhir Rajpal (1990 batch): November 30, 2026
- Sumita Misra (1990 batch): January 31, 2027
- Abhilaksh Likhi (1991 batch): November 30, 2026
- Arun Kumar Gupta (1992 batch): September 30, 2026
As a result, the proposed extension could effectively close the window for an entire generation of senior Haryana cadre officers to occupy the state’s highest bureaucratic office.
Not the First Multi-Extension Chief Secretary
Officials note that granting multiple extensions to a Chief Secretary is not unprecedented.
One frequently cited example is that of Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Dina Nath Mishra, who received three extensions during his tenure.
The Haryana government may rely on such precedents while seeking approval from the Centre.
Who is IAS Anurag Rastogi?
Anurag Rastogi is a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Haryana cadre and one of the state’s most experienced administrators.
Originally from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, he joined the IAS on August 20, 1990.
Early Career
His first major field posting came in August 1992 when he was appointed Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) at Narnaul.
Over the years, he served in several important district and administrative positions, including:
- Deputy Commissioner, Hisar
- Deputy Commissioner, Panipat
- Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram
During his tenure in Gurugram, he also served as Chief Administrator of the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Shrine Board.
Key Administrative Assignments
Rastogi held several influential positions in the Haryana government, including:
- Excise and Taxation Commissioner (2009–2012)
- Director General, Town and Country Planning (2012–2015)
- Principal Secretary, Finance and Planning
- Additional Chief Secretary (2021 onwards)
His tenure in finance and planning earned him a reputation as a disciplined administrator with deep expertise in fiscal management.
Reputation for Stability and Administrative Discipline
Unlike many high-profile bureaucrats known for headline-grabbing decisions, Rastogi built his career through a reputation for consistency, financial prudence and administrative efficiency.
His low-key working style and strong rapport with successive political leaderships have made him one of Haryana’s most trusted bureaucrats.
These qualities are believed to be among the key reasons why the Nayab Singh Saini government has repeatedly chosen him for the state’s top administrative position.
Awaiting Centre’s Decision
The final decision on the proposed extension now rests with the Union government.
If approved, Anurag Rastogi will continue as Haryana Chief Secretary until June 2027, extending a distinguished administrative career spanning nearly 36 years and reinforcing his position as one of the most influential bureaucrats in the state’s recent history.
The Centre’s decision is expected before the end of June, when his current extension comes to an end.
