Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has appointed senior IAS officer Vikas Sheel as the state’s new Chief Secretary, succeeding Amitabh Jain, who is set to retire on September 30 after an extended term.
Mr Vikas Sheel, a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was recalled from his central deputation at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, where he was serving as Executive Director.
Mr Sheel to Assume Charge on September 30
According to senior officials, Vikas Sheel will officially assume the Chief Secretary’s role on September 30, 2025, immediately following Amitabh Jain’s retirement. Jain was originally scheduled to retire on June 30, but was granted a three-month extension by the state government to ensure a smooth transition.
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.
Who is Vikas Sheel?
Born in June 1969 and originally from Uttar Pradesh, Vikas Sheel is a 1994-batch IAS officer with a strong academic background in Electrical Engineering, holding both BE and ME degrees. He was initially allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre, but opted for Chhattisgarh after the state’s formation in 2000.
Over the years, Sheel has held several crucial administrative roles, including Collector of Raipur and Bilaspur, two of the state’s most strategically important districts. His recent posting at the Asian Development Bank added international experience to his resume, enhancing his candidacy for the top bureaucratic position in the state.
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.
Third Longest Serving Chief Secretary in State’s History (Projected)
With nearly 3 years and 9 months left before his retirement, Vikas Sheel is poised to become the third longest-serving Chief Secretary in Chhattisgarh’s history, after:
- Amitabh Jain (4 years, 10 months)
- Vivek Dhand (3 years, 11 months)
This long tenure is expected to bring administrative continuity, particularly as the state focuses on infrastructure, rural development, and economic modernization.
Outpaced Several Senior Officers
Mr Sheel’s appointment came as a surprise to many, as several senior IAS officers were believed to be in the race for the Chief Secretary post, including:
- Renu Gonela Pillai (1991 batch)
- Subrata Sahu (1992 batch)
- Amit Agarwal (1993 batch)
Despite being junior to these officers in terms of batch, Sheel was reportedly chosen due to his clean record, broad administrative experience, and exposure to global governance systems through his ADB tenure.
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.
