Lucknow: In a major administrative development, the Uttar Pradesh government has appointed former Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS: 1988: UP) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Transformation Commission (STC). A formal government order was issued on Saturday.
His tenure will be three years from the date of assuming office, making him the first-ever CEO of the commission since its formation in 2022.
A Trusted Bureaucrat Returns in a Key Policy Role
Mr Singh, a retired IAS officer widely regarded as a trusted administrator in the Yogi Adityanath government, earlier served in several crucial roles. A native of Ranchi (Jharkhand), he held positions such as –
- District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Pilibhit, Moradabad, Aligarh, and Lalitpur
- Commissioner of Agricultural Production
- Commissioner of Industrial Development
Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department
He was appointed Chief Secretary of the state in July 2024, during which he handled high-impact portfolios across governance and development sectors. Mr Singh, a 1988-batch IAS officer, retired on July 31, 2025, after a 14-month tenure as Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. The UP government had sought a one-year extension, but it was not granted, and he was succeeded by Shashi Prakash Goyal. During his time as Chief Secretary, he was involved in key initiatives like the Global Investors Summit and efforts to make Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy.
Notable Contributions During His Service
Manoj Kumar Singh is credited for several impactful initiatives, including:
- Leading efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas
- Implementing the BC Sakhi (Doorstep Banking) Scheme across villages
Contributing to the achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all 75 districts under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
His return to a leadership role post-retirement is seen as a strategic move to strengthen policy reforms and accelerate development.
STC to Play Central Role in UP’s Growth Vision
The appointment is aimed at boosting UP’s long-term development roadmap. The State Transformation Commission is envisioned as a central think tank steering policy, economic reforms, and district-level development.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who serves as the Chairman of the STC, is positioning the commission as a major engine for UP’s economic transformation over the next decade.
Commission Structure and Key Members
The State Transformation Commission includes:
- Ex-Officio Members
Ministers/Ministers of State for:
- Finance
- Agriculture
- Social Welfare
- Rural Development
- Panchayati Raj
- Medical Health
- Industrial Development
- Jal Shakti
- Urban Development
- Planning
Senior officials such as the Chief Secretary, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Industrial Development Commissioner, and Principal Secretaries from key departments are also part of the commission.
Non-Official Members
Experts from:
- Social sector
- Agriculture and cadre services
- Finance
Industrial development, investment, technology, and energy
What Is the State Transformation Commission?
Formed in October 2022 by reorganizing the old State Planning Commission (established in 1972), the State Transformation Commission operates on the lines of NITI Aayog. It aims to make development planning in UP more flexible, outcome-oriented, and aligned with national and global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While the previous Planning Commission focused on five-year plans, the STC works on:
- Annual plan evaluation
- Investment roadmap formulation
- Digital transformation
- Strengthening District Planning Committees
- Sector-wise policy reforms
The commission has been instrumental in policies such as the MSME Promotion Policy, Bioenergy Policy, and initiatives following the Global Investor Summit 2023.
Key Functions of the State Transformation Commission
The STC’s responsibilities include:
- Assessing physical, financial, and human resources of the state
- Developing short-term and long-term sector-specific strategies
- Suggesting measures to address regional development imbalances
- Designing policies for economic and social development
- Recommending PPP-based financial strategies
- Monitoring and evaluating state development programs
- Enhancing the standard of living by removing structural and administrative bottlenecks
- A Strategic Appointment for UP’s Development Roadmap
By appointing Manoj Kumar Singh as the CEO, the Yogi government aims to solidify the commission’s role in steering Uttar Pradesh towards higher economic growth, governance efficiency, and long-term policy stability.
