New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed senior IAS officer Rajeev Verma, a 1992-batch officer from the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi.
Mr Verma is set to assume charge on October 1, 2025, replacing IAS Dharmendra (1989 batch), who is scheduled to retire at the end of this month.
A Seasoned Bureaucrat with Diverse Experience
Mr Verma brings over three decades of experience in both state and central administrations. He has served as Chief Secretary of Chandigarh and Puducherry, and was most recently the Advisor to the Administrator of Chandigarh.
Earlier, Mr Verma held several key portfolios in the Delhi government, including roles as Finance and Revenue Secretary (2018–2022) and Transport Commissioner, and has also served in Defence, Power, and Health Ministries at the Centre.
A Technocrat Turned Administrator
IAS Verma holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) and a Master’s in Urban Design from the Delhi School of Planning and Architecture. He also earned an M.Tech. from IIT, bringing technical and planning expertise to the administrative table.
His educational and professional background makes him uniquely suited to handle the urban and infrastructural complexities of the National Capital Territory (NCT).
A Return to Familiar Grounds
This appointment marks a return to familiar terrain for Verma, who has previously served in Delhi’s Transport Department, Revenue Department, and Delhi Development Authority (DDA). He is well-known among bureaucratic circles for his balanced approach – combining rule-based governance with practical implementation.
According to a senior official in the Finance Department – “He is a very nice officer and goes by rule as well as practical approach.”
Portfolio Overview
Throughout his career, Verma has held several high-ranking positions, including –
- Advisor to the Administrator, Chandigarh (2022–2025)
- Chief Secretary, Puducherry
- Principal Secretary & Commissioner, Finance/Revenue, Delhi (2018–2022)
- Principal Commissioner, Housing & Urban Affairs, DDA (2017–2018)
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (2013–2017)
- CMD, Delhi Transport Corporation (2012–2013)
- Various roles in Goa and Delhi NCR (2000–2011)
Order Issued Through Kartavya Bhawan
The appointment order was notified by the Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi, and states that Verma will take charge from October 1 or the date of joining, whichever is later. The decision was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Delhi Bureaucracy Looks Ahead
As Verma steps into his new role, Delhi’s bureaucratic and administrative machinery awaits fresh direction under his leadership. His past experience in Delhi and a reputation for clean, efficient governance may prove pivotal in addressing the challenges faced by the capital.
