New Delhi: Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel (IAS:1991:AGMUT) is likely to receive a service extension beyond his scheduled retirement on August 31, 2026, according to sources.
If approved, the extension would allow Goel to continue as the state’s top bureaucrat at a time when Manipur remains engaged with significant governance, administrative and security-related challenges. The move is being viewed as an effort to ensure continuity in the state’s administrative leadership.
Goel has been serving as the Chief Secretary of Manipur since July 2025, after succeeding Prashant Kumar Singh (IAS:1993:Manipur), who was appointed as Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
Continuity in a Sensitive Administrative Phase
Manipur has witnessed prolonged administrative and governance challenges over the past few years. Against this backdrop, the continuation of the state’s senior-most civil servant is expected to provide stability in policy implementation and coordination between the state administration and the Centre.
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Although no official order has been issued yet, sources indicated that a proposal for extending Goel’s tenure is under consideration.
Who is Puneet Kumar Goel?
Dr. Goel is a 1991-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre with more than three decades of administrative experience across diverse sectors, including power, urban development, finance and public administration.
He officially took charge as Chief Secretary of Manipur on July 21, 2025, succeeding Prashant Kumar Singh. Besides heading the state’s bureaucracy, he also holds the additional responsibilities of Chief Vigilance Commissioner of Manipur and Principal Resident Commissioner of Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi.
Strong Academic Credentials
Born on August 3, 1966, IAS Goel has an impressive academic background in engineering and technology.
His qualifications include:
- Ph.D. in Renewable Energy/Power Electronics from IIT Delhi
- M.Tech. in Power Systems Engineering from IIT Delhi
- M.S. in Computer Networks from California University
A direct recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination, he is fluent in both Hindi and English.
Distinguished Administrative Career
Over a career spanning nearly 35 years, Goel has served in several important positions across the AGMUT cadre.
Some of his major assignments include:
- Chief Secretary, Government of Goa
- Senior positions in the Power sector, including Director (Power)
- Commissioner (Transport) in South Delhi Municipal Corporation
- Various leadership roles in urban administration, infrastructure and governance
His experience in public administration, particularly in infrastructure and governance reforms, has made him one of the senior-most officers in the AGMUT cadre.
Chief Secretary Since 2025
Goel assumed charge as Chief Secretary of Manipur in July 2025 following the appointment of his predecessor, Prashant Kumar Singh, as Secretary of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Since taking over, he has been responsible for coordinating the functioning of various departments, monitoring implementation of government policies and ensuring administrative efficiency in the state.
Extension Yet to Be Officially Announced
While sources indicate that the Centre is likely to approve an extension, no formal notification has been issued so far.
If cleared, Goel will continue beyond his scheduled superannuation on August 31, 2026, providing continuity at the helm of Manipur’s civil administration during an important phase for the state.
