The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a major administrative reshuffle by appointing senior IAS officer Ms. Kamini Chauhan Ratan as the new Principal Secretary of the State Tax (GST) Department. The move follows her return to the Uttar Pradesh cadre after a long central deputation. Her reputation for integrity, balanced decision-making and developmental focus has generated strong optimism within the department.
The reshuffle results in Mr. M. Devraj, who previously held dual charges, now being assigned solely to the Appointments and Personnel Department. The new order was issued by the state’s Personnel Department, enabling the GST Department to immediately receive a new administrative lead.
Relief Within the Department After Period of Friction
Sources indicate that morale in the department had been affected during Mr. Devraj’s tenure. Officials and employees reportedly faced pressure over GST refunds, assessments and penalties. Several trade bodies had also expressed dissatisfaction with his working style, creating persistent tensions.
This backdrop explains why the arrival of Ms. Kamini Chauhan Ratan is being perceived as a breath of fresh air. Officers have reacted positively, describing her appointment as a constructive step towards improved coordination, smoother tax administration and better stakeholder engagement. The move also signals an attempt by the government to restore harmony within the GST ecosystem.
Why Ms. Kamini Chauhan Ratan’s Appointment Matters
State officials believe Ms. Ratan’s extensive administrative exposure makes her a fitting choice for a department central to revenue mobilisation, compliance oversight and GST-linked reforms. Her long experience with policy, regulation and development projects aligns with the department’s current needs.
Reports also suggest that uncertainty exists around Mr. Devraj’s future postings, hinting at deeper administrative assessments linked to the reshuffle. Despite being regarded as honest and disciplined, his decisions over the past year had caused significant stress among GST officials and business communities statewide.
A Distinguished Officer With a Broad Administrative Trajectory
Ms. Kamini Chauhan Ratan, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre born on 13 July 1971, has an academic foundation rooted in commerce and law. She completed her B.Com from Delhi University as a topper and later pursued LL.B. and LL.M., giving her a strong analytical and regulatory perspective.
During the early years of her career, she served as Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Joint Magistrate in Agra, Ayodhya and Lucknow. She then worked as Chief Development Officer of Meerut, spearheading several development-oriented schemes. She later served as Collector and District Magistrate in districts including Sultanpur, Bulandshahr, Saharanpur, Baghpat and Meerut. Notably, she became the first woman to assume the role of District Magistrate in both Baghpat and Meerut.
Key Responsibilities Across Multiple State Departments
Her portfolio within the state government spans diverse policy domains. She has served as Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Inspector General (Registration) and Commissioner of Stamps, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and Commissioner of Entertainment Tax. She has also functioned as Secretary of the Departments of Women and Child Development, Finance and Rural Development.
These roles have equipped her with first-hand experience in regulatory systems, welfare programme oversight, financial governance and grassroots development.
Significant Contributions at the Central Level
Her central deputation brought further exposure to national policymaking. She served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, contributing significantly to the formulation of the National Education Policy 2020. She later became Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
During this period, she served as Government Nominee Director on the boards of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in 2022 and GAIL (India) Limited in 2025. She completed her tenure in these roles before returning to her parent cadre in late 2025.
Recognition and Trust Across Governance Platforms
Ms. Ratan has earned multiple recognitions through her career, including the National Award for Best District Electoral Officer by the Election Commission of India. Her broad exposure, ranging from district administration to central strategic roles, has positioned her as a dependable officer capable of steering key departments through reform-oriented transitions.
Her new role in the State Tax Department is expected to uphold this trajectory, with hopes that she will bring stability, transparency and renewed administrative efficiency to one of the state’s most critical revenue-driven departments.
