Kolkata: In a key administrative decision, West Bengal Chief Secretary Dr. Manoj Pant, IAS (1991 batch), has been granted a six-month extension in service by the Central Government, allowing him to remain in office until December 31, 2025.
Pant, who was originally due to retire on June 30, will now continue to serve under Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. The decision comes in response to a formal request by the West Bengal Government, submitted to the Centre on June 28, 2025.
Centre Gives Green Signal on State’s Request
An official letter from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) was sent to the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, confirming the approval.
“I am directed to refer to the proposal of Government of West Bengal dated 28.06.2025… and to convey the approval of the Central Government for extension of service of Dr. Manoj Pant, IAS (WB:1991), Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal for a period of six months from 01.07.2025,” the communication stated.
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Strategic Move Ahead of Assembly Elections
The extension is being viewed as a strategic administrative decision ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for May 2026. A senior IAS officer noted,
“He has become one of Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted crisis managers. With the elections less than a year away, the Chief Minister did not want to lose him as Chief Secretary.”
Experienced Administrator with Crisis-Handling Record
Pant has reportedly earned the Chief Minister’s confidence through his handling of multiple high-stakes and sensitive situations, including the RG Kar rape and murder case and the teachers’ agitation following a Supreme Court verdict.
Sources in the state secretariat revealed that Pant’s leadership is considered vital for maintaining continuity in administrative momentum, especially in the rollout of major development projects and policy execution over the next six months.
Trend of Extensions Continues in Bengal’s Top Bureaucracy
This is not the first instance of a Chief Secretary receiving an extension in West Bengal. Pant’s two predecessors also had their tenures extended by the Centre—Harikrishna Dwivedi for six months, and B.P. Gopalika for three months.
Given the political and administrative climate, speculations are already rife that the state government might again seek an additional extension for Pant closer to the end of this term in December.
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Swift Coordination Between State and Centre
As Pant’s retirement approached, top officials in the West Bengal administration moved swiftly to initiate discussions with the Centre. The proposal was formally submitted just two days before his scheduled retirement, with the approval arriving the afternoon before his last working day.
A senior bureaucrat noted, “The state leadership was keen on continuity. Pant is well-positioned to coordinate state-centre interactions, navigate crises, and push key initiatives until year-end.”
