Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has formally sought a one-year extension in service for Chief Secretary V. Srinivas (IAS:1989:RJ), a move that is likely to delay the appointment of a new Chief Secretary and put an end to months of speculation over who would succeed him.
According to official sources, the state government has sent a proposal to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) seeking an extension for Srinivas, who is scheduled to retire on August 31, 2026. If the proposal receives approval from the Centre, the senior bureaucrat is expected to continue as Rajasthan’s top civil servant for another year.
Proposal Sent on Chief Minister’s Recommendation
Sources said Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma recommended the extension and forwarded the proposal to the Centre on July 24.
The recommendation reportedly comes in recognition of Srinivas’ administrative performance and his effective coordination with the Central government. Officials indicated that the state government is keen to maintain continuity in governance, particularly as several major development and investment initiatives are currently under implementation.
The extension, if approved, will allow the present administrative leadership to continue steering key government programmes without disruption.
Continuity in Administration
According to sources, the Chief Minister is satisfied with the functioning of the current administrative team and does not want significant changes at the top level at this stage.
The continuation of Chief Secretary V. Srinivas alongside Additional Chief Secretary Akhil Arora is expected to provide administrative stability for implementing the government’s vision of a ‘Developed Rajasthan’.
The decision also comes at a time when the state is pushing ahead with projects announced during the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit and various infrastructure and industrial development initiatives.
V. Srinivas Assumed Office in November 2025
V. Srinivas, a 1989-batch IAS officer, took charge as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan on November 17, 2025, after returning from Central deputation.
Before assuming the state’s top bureaucratic post, he had served in several important positions in the Government of India and built a reputation for administrative reforms and governance initiatives.
He currently also serves as the Chairman of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML).
How the Extension Process Works
The proposal for extending the tenure of a State Chief Secretary is processed by the Central government.
The procedure broadly involves:
- The state government forwarding its recommendation to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
- The proposal being examined by the DoPT before being placed before the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- The ACC, chaired by the Prime Minister, taking the final decision.
- The extension becoming effective only after the Centre issues a formal order.
Until such approval is granted, the proposal remains under consideration.
Chief Secretary Race May Be Deferred
If the Centre approves the proposal, the aspirations of several senior IAS officers considered frontrunners for the Chief Secretary’s post are likely to remain on hold.
Among the names frequently discussed in administrative circles are:
Abhay Kumar
Abhay Kumar (IAS:1992) has widely been regarded as the strongest contender for the Chief Secretary’s post. Apart from his seniority, he has been closely associated with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s flagship Ramjal Setu Link Project.
With a service tenure extending until August 2028, he is viewed as an officer capable of providing long-term administrative continuity. However, an extension for Srinivas would delay his opportunity to occupy the state’s highest bureaucratic office.
Rajat Kumar Mishra
Another senior 1992-batch IAS officer, Rajat Kumar Mishra, is currently serving as Secretary, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers on Central deputation.
Known for his experience in administrative and financial management and his familiarity with the Central government, Mishra has also been viewed as a strong contender. Since he is due to retire in January 2028, a one-year extension for the incumbent Chief Secretary would shorten the window during which he could potentially serve as Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary.
Akhil Arora
Akhil Arora (IAS:1993), who currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary and handles key portfolios including Finance and Public Health, is another prominent name in the succession discussion.
With service extending until February 2029, Arora has the advantage of a longer remaining tenure. However, appointing him as Chief Secretary would require superseding officers senior to him from the 1992 batch. If Srinivas continues for another year, the government’s decision on succession may become easier while also postponing Arora’s prospects for the time being.
Distinguished Administrative Career
Born on September 1, 1966, in Andhra Pradesh, V. Srinivas holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees in Chemical Engineering. He joined the Indian Administrative Service at the age of 22, beginning a career that has spanned nearly four decades.
Over the course of his service, he has held 24 major assignments across the state and Central governments. His notable assignments include serving as Private Secretary to former External Affairs and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and heading the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in the Government of India for four years.
An internationally recognised expert on public administration and governance, Srinivas currently serves as President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), Brussels. He has authored several books and publications on governance and administrative reforms and has received honours including the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar and the Digital India Award.
Awaiting Centre’s Decision
While the Rajasthan government has formally sought a one-year extension, the final decision now rests with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
If approved, V. Srinivas will continue as Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary beyond his scheduled retirement on August 31, 2026, ensuring continuity in the state’s administrative leadership. Until then, the race among senior IAS officers for the coveted post is likely to remain in abeyance.
Read Also: Arunachal Pradesh Transfers 7 IAS Officers; Vishal Shah Appointed CEO of HAPDA
