Guwahati: The Assam Government has re-engaged retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer M.K. Yadava as Special Chief Secretary of the Mines and Minerals Department for a period of two years, with effect from November 13, 2026.
The appointment follows the completion of his contractual tenure as Special Chief Secretary of the Forest Department on November 11 and the state Cabinet’s decision not to extend his engagement in the forest administration.
The Personnel Department issued the notification on November 12, following approval by the state Cabinet at its meeting on November 10. The appointment has been made with full administrative and financial powers.
According to the notification, Yadava will hold the position for two years from November 13, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
MK Yadava’s New Appointment and Administrative Changes
With Yadava taking over the Mines and Minerals Department, the Assam Government has also relieved senior IAS officer Ajay Tewari of the additional charge of the department.
Tewari, a 1993-batch IAS officer of the Assam cadre, continues to serve as Additional Chief Secretary to the Assam Government.
His other responsibilities include:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Political Department.
- Chairman of the State Level Recruitment Commission for Class III posts (additional charge).
Yadava’s appointment marks a shift from his previous responsibilities in the Forest Department to the state’s Mines and Minerals administration.
Gauhati High Court Proceedings Before the Re-Engagement
The fresh appointment comes amid legal proceedings concerning Yadava’s continued post-retirement engagement in the Assam Forest Department.
His third contractual extension as Special Chief Secretary (Forest) concluded on November 11, 2026.
On November 12, the Assam Government informed the Gauhati High Court that the Cabinet had decided against extending his engagement in the Forest Department or assigning him any other responsibility under the department.
However, the state also informed the court that Yadava would be re-engaged on a contractual basis in the Mines and Minerals Department.
Two legal proceedings concerning his tenure were subsequently closed:
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL 57/2026): Filed by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, challenging Yadava’s continued post-retirement engagement in the Forest Department. A division bench comprising Justices Michael Zothankhuma and Sanjeev Kumar Sharma closed the proceedings after recording the government’s submissions.
- Writ Petition (WP(C)/5452/2026): Filed by Amarjyoti Choudhury, challenging the administrative arrangement concerning Yadava’s continuation. Justice Nchumbemo Mozhui closed the proceedings after the government clarified its position and the petitioner’s counsel stated that no further grievance remained.
The closure of the proceedings followed the government’s submissions regarding the end of Yadava’s Forest Department tenure and his proposed re-engagement in another department.
The court’s orders did not constitute a judicial determination on the merits of the proposed fresh appointment.
Who Is M.K. Yadava?
Mahendra Kumar Yadava is a retired 1989-batch Indian Forest Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
He retired from government service on February 29, 2024, after serving as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Assam.
Following his retirement, the Assam Government re-engaged him in a senior administrative position in the Forest Department.
During his career, Yadava held several senior positions in Assam’s forest administration, including responsibilities relating to wildlife conservation and forest management.
He also served as Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam and Director of Kaziranga National Park.
His latest appointment places him in charge of the state’s Mines and Minerals Department after several years in the forest administration.
