Mumbai: The race for the next Chief Secretary of Maharashtra has gathered momentum, with uncertainty surrounding the continuation of incumbent Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS:1989), whose tenure is scheduled to end on November 30, 2026.
According to reports, the Maharashtra government is learnt to have recommended a proposal to the Central Government seeking a six-month extension in service for Aggarwal. If approved, the 1989-batch IAS officer will continue to occupy the state’s top bureaucratic position beyond his scheduled retirement.
However, if the Centre does not approve the proposed extension and Aggarwal retires as scheduled, Manisha Mhaiskar (IAS:1992) could emerge as a strong contender for the post.
Currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Mhaiskar is among the senior-most serving IAS officers of the Maharashtra cadre. Her seniority, extensive administrative experience and present assignment have brought her into focus as a potential successor.
The final decision on Aggarwal’s proposed extension rests with the Central Government.
Will Rajesh Aggarwal Get a Six-Month Extension?
Rajesh Aggarwal took charge as Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary in November 2025. He is scheduled to retire from service on November 30, 2026.
With his retirement approaching, the state government is reportedly seeking an extension of six months, which would allow him to continue in the position beyond his present tenure.
The proposed extension is understood to be linked to the need for administrative stability and continuity in governance. However, the recommendation will require approval from the Centre before it can be implemented.
If the proposal receives approval, Aggarwal will continue as Maharashtra Chief Secretary. Otherwise, the state will have to appoint a successor following his retirement.
This has brought the name of Manisha Mhaiskar into consideration, given her cadre seniority and experience in handling important administrative responsibilities.
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Who Is Manisha Mhaiskar?
Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar (IAS:1992) is a senior 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Maharashtra cadre, currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary of the state’s Home Department.
Born on March 16, 1969, she hails from Maharashtra and comes from a family with a background in public service. Her father was also an IAS officer, which influenced her interest in administrative services.
Although she initially secured admission to Government Medical College, Nagpur, to pursue an MBBS degree, she eventually shifted her academic and career direction towards public administration and law.
She holds an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) degree and entered the IAS through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Fluent in English and Marathi, Mhaiskar has built an administrative career spanning more than three decades, serving in several important positions across Maharashtra.
From District Administration to Senior Positions in Mantralaya
Over the years, Mhaiskar has handled responsibilities in urban governance, infrastructure development, environment, medical education and general administration.
Her early field-level assignments included serving as District Collector of Sangli, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad in Wardha and Municipal Commissioner of Amravati.
These assignments gave her experience in district administration, local governance and the implementation of government programmes.
She subsequently held important positions in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), including Additional Municipal Commissioner, where she gained experience in managing the administrative requirements of one of India’s largest urban local bodies.
At the state headquarters in Mantralaya, Mumbai, she served in senior positions in the Urban Development and General Administration departments, handling policy and administrative responsibilities.
She also served as Secretary in the Environment and Medical Education departments, where she was involved in state-level administrative coordination and crisis management, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before her elevation to the Home Department, she held the position of Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Project Officer (CPO) in the Public Works Department (PWD), overseeing responsibilities related to the state’s infrastructure administration.
Manisha Mhaiskar’s Current Role as Additional Chief Secretary (Home)
In early February 2026, Mhaiskar was appointed Additional Chief Secretary of the Maharashtra Home Department, succeeding Iqbal Singh Chahal.
The Home Department is among the most important administrative departments in the state, dealing with law and order, police administration, internal security and disaster response.
Her present assignment places her at the centre of several critical administrative and security-related responsibilities.
The position also gives her experience in coordinating with the police administration and various government agencies on matters concerning internal security and public order.
With her seniority and experience across multiple departments, she is being viewed as a potential candidate for the Chief Secretary’s position if Aggarwal retires on November 30.
Personal Life: Married to Fellow IAS Officer Milind Mhaiskar
Manisha Mhaiskar is married to Milind Mhaiskar, a fellow 1992-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
The couple has twin daughters.
Outside her administrative responsibilities, Mhaiskar is interested in reading, writing, exploring local cuisines and travelling. She also enjoys using public transport, including local trains and metro services.
What Happens Next?
The Maharashtra Chief Secretary succession will depend primarily on the Central Government’s decision on the proposed extension for Rajesh Aggarwal.
If the six-month extension is approved, Aggarwal will continue in office beyond November 30, 2026, and the immediate succession question will be deferred.
However, if he retires as scheduled, Manisha Mhaiskar could become a leading contender for the position, given her seniority in the Maharashtra cadre and her experience in several key administrative assignments.
The coming days are therefore expected to bring greater clarity on whether Maharashtra will continue with its incumbent Chief Secretary or move towards a new administrative leadership.
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