Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is set to extend a major New Year gift to the state bureaucracy, promoting 24 IAS officers to higher ranks effective January 1, 2026. The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), chaired by Chief Secretary SP Goyal, has cleared promotions for four senior IAS officers of the 2001 batch to the rank of Principal Secretary, along with promotions for 20 IAS officers of the 2010 batch from Special Secretary to Secretary.
Four Senior IAS Officers Elevated to Principal Secretary Rank
As per service rules, IAS officers with 25 years of unblemished service are eligible for elevation to the Principal Secretary rank. This year, officers of the 2001 batch have been considered and approved.
Those promoted include –
- Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, Divisional Commissioner, Devipatan Division
- Ajay Kumar Shukla, Secretary, Urban Development
- Aparna U, Secretary, Medical Education
- SVS Rangarao, Member, Revenue Board
These officers will receive independent charge of major departments after reassignment orders are issued.
Twenty Officers of 2010 Batch Promoted to Secretary
The DPC also approved promotion of 20 IAS officers from the 2010 batch, who have completed 16 years of service, from Special Secretary to Secretary.
Notably, Durga Shakti Nagpal, serving as District Magistrate of Lakhimpur, is the only officer in this batch currently in a DM posting. Others are serving as Special Secretaries or holding additional Secretary-level charges.
Following promotions, these officers will likely be appointed as Divisional Commissioners or assigned departmental secretary roles.
Promotions in Other Grades Also Cleared
The DPC additionally reviewed –
- IAS officers of the 2013 batch for Selection Grade
- IAS officers of the 2017 batch for Administrative Grade Pay
The Appointments Department will soon notify the promotion orders, all of which will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle Expected in Uttar Pradesh
With promotions at both Principal Secretary and Secretary levels, Uttar Pradesh is set for a significant administrative reshuffle. Officers rising to Principal Secretary rank will receive independent departmental charges, while new Secretaries will be positioned as Divisional Commissioners or posted to crucial departments.
Several District Magistrate transfers are also expected once the new postings are finalized.
