Chennai: Senior IAS officer Rajesh Lakhani (IAS:1992:TN) has returned to the Tamil Nadu cadre after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his premature repatriation from the Centre on personal grounds. While the official reason cited for his return is personal, the development has sparked speculation in bureaucratic circles, as the incumbent Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar is due to retire on February 28, 2027.
Lakhani, one of the senior-most officers in the Tamil Nadu cadre, is widely regarded as a strong contender for the state’s top bureaucratic post. His return comes after nearly a year on Central deputation as Commissioner (Joint Secretary level), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) under the Department of School Education and Literacy.
ACC Approves Premature Repatriation
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet recently approved IAS Lakhani’s request for premature repatriation to his parent cadre.
Speaking to media, Lakhani confirmed that he sought repatriation due to personal reasons. However, his return assumes significance because Tamil Nadu’s administrative leadership is expected to undergo a transition early next year.
With over three decades of administrative experience and several high-profile assignments behind him, Lakhani’s name has naturally figured among officers who could be considered for the Chief Secretary’s post when it falls vacant.
An IIT-Delhi Graduate with Engineering Background
Born on May 26, 1969, Mr Lakhani belongs to the 1992 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (Tamil Nadu cadre).
Before joining the civil services, he pursued engineering and higher technical education:
Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics) from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur
Master of Technology (Communication Engineering) from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Apart from English and Hindi, he is also proficient in Tamil and Sindhi, reflecting his ability to work across diverse administrative environments.
Administrative Career Spanning More Than Three Decades
Mr Lakhani began his civil services journey as Assistant Collector in Dharmapuri in 1992.
Over the next 33 years, he handled several important assignments across Tamil Nadu, gaining experience in district administration, urban governance, disaster management, power, elections and infrastructure.
Among his notable district postings were:
- District Collector, Kanniyakumari (2003–04)
- District Collector, Theni (2005–06)
His tenure in Kanniyakumari gained attention during the rehabilitation and recovery efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the worst natural disasters in India’s history.
Held Several Key Positions in Tamil Nadu
During his long career, IAS Lakhani occupied several senior positions in the Tamil Nadu government.
These included:
- Commissioner of Municipal Administration
- Secretary, SIPCOT
- Secretary, Tourism Department
- Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department
- Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB/TANGEDCO)
- Commissioner of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management
- Additional Chief Secretary
His diverse portfolio gave him exposure to governance, infrastructure development, power sector reforms, disaster response and rural administration.
Chief Electoral Officer During 2016 Assembly Elections
One of IAS Lakhani’s most visible assignments came when he served as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tamil Nadu, between 2016 and 2018.
During this period, he supervised the conduct of the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and worked on strengthening voter awareness and increasing electoral participation through technology-driven initiatives and public outreach campaigns.
Central Deputation and Role at Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
In February 2025, Mr Lakhani proceeded on Central deputation after decades of service in Tamil Nadu.
He was appointed as Commissioner (Joint Secretary level), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, an autonomous organization under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
The position involved overseeing the administration of the country’s network of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and other institutional responsibilities.
Following his request for premature repatriation, the ACC approved his return to the Tamil Nadu cadre on July 17, 2026.
Why His Return Is Significant
Although the government has not linked his repatriation to any future appointment, the timing has drawn attention within administrative circles.
The current Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, M. Sai Kumar, is scheduled to retire on February 28, 2027. As one of the senior-most serving IAS officers in the cadre, Rajesh Lakhani is expected to be among those considered whenever the government decides on the next Chief Secretary.
However, no official decision regarding the succession has been announced.
Service Continues Till 2029
Rajesh Lakhani is due to retire on May 31, 2029, giving him nearly three years of service after returning to the state.
His extensive administrative experience across governance, infrastructure, disaster management, education, elections and public administration positions him among the most experienced officers currently serving in the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Whether he eventually becomes the state’s next Chief Secretary will depend on the government’s decision when the post falls vacant next year.
