Raipur: Senior IAS officer of 1994 batch, Mr Vikas Sheel has been appointed the next Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, replacing Amitabh Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer, whose extended term ends on September 30, 2025.
The announcement marks the return of Vikassheel to the state cadre after his central deputation as Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila.
Relieved Early from ADB Post for State Responsibility
Mr Vikas Sheel had been appointed to ADB in January 2024 for a three-year term by the Government of India. However, in light of his new assignment, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) requested the ADB to relieve him ahead of schedule. The ADB has now officially released him from his duties.
IAS Vikas is expected to return to Raipur next week. His wife, Nidhi Chhibber, also a 1994 batch IAS officer, is returning to Chhattisgarh as well after her central deputation.
A Decorated Administrative Career
Over the last three decades, IAS Vikas has held several prominent roles in Chhattisgarh and at the Centre. His resume includes–
- Collector of Raipur and Bilaspur, two of the state’s largest districts.
- Senior roles in key departments such as Industry, Finance, Health, and General Administration.
- At the central level, he served as Mission Director in the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and held senior positions in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In March 2025, he was empanelled for Secretary/Secretary-equivalent grade by the Centre – a recognition of his seniority and administrative experience.
Unexpected Choice Amid Senior Contenders
The development has caught many off-guard, as IAS Vikas’s name was not initially among the top contenders. Until now, bureaucratic buzz centered around Renu Gonela Pillay (IAS:1991:CG), Subrat Sahoo (IAS:1992:CG), Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG), and Manoj Pingua (IAS:1994:CG) as likely successors.
According to senior officials, Mr Vikas’s track record of delivery-focused governance and the confidence he enjoys from both the Centre and the Chhattisgarh state leadership appear to have played a decisive role in the unexpected elevation.
Transition from Amitabh Jain
The current Chief Secretary, Amitabh Jain, is set to retire on September 30, 2025. Earlier this year, he was granted a three-month extension upon reaching the retirement age in June. While there was speculation about a further extension – similar to that of Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain – sources indicate that the state is preparing for a leadership transition.
Mr Jain is reportedly being considered for the post of Chief Information Commissioner of Chhattisgarh post-retirement.
List of Chief Secretaries Since State Formation
IAS Vikas Sheel will be the 14th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh since the state’s formation in 2000. Here’s a chronological list:
- Arun Kumar – 30 Oct 2000 to 31 Jan 2003
- S.K. Mishra – 31 Jan 2003 to 30 June 2004
- A.K. Vijayvargiya – 1 July 2004 to 7 Nov 2005
- R.P. Baghi – 7 Nov 2005 to 31 Jan 2007
- Shivraj Singh – 31 Jan 2007 to 31 July 2008
- P. Joy Oommen – 31 July 2008 to 7 Feb 2012
- Sunil Kumar – 7 Feb 2012 to 28 Feb 2014
- Vivek Dhand – 28 Feb 2014 to 11 Jan 2018
- Ajay Singh – 11 Jan 2018 to 2 Jan 2019
- Sunil Kujur – 2 Jan 2019 to 31 Oct 2019
- R.P. Mandal – 31 Oct 2019 to 30 Nov 2020
- Amitabh Jain – 1 Dec 2020 to 30 Sep 2025 (with extension)
IAS Vikas’s appointment is expected to bring fresh energy and leadership to Chhattisgarh’s top bureaucracy.
