Kolkata: The West Bengal government has undertaken a major reshuffle of senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, reassigning key departmental responsibilities following the appointment of Nandini Chakraborty (IAS: 1994: WB) as the state’s new Chief Secretary. The move, aimed at streamlining administration and ensuring continuity in governance, was announced on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Nandini Chakraborty Takes Over as Chief Secretary
Nandini Chakraborty, a 1994-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, assumed office as Chief Secretary, replacing the outgoing incumbent. Her elevation prompted a series of strategic departmental realignments within the state bureaucracy to ensure smooth functioning across key portfolios.
Jagdish Prasad Meena Assigned New Roles
The departments previously overseen by Chakraborty have now been entrusted to Jagdish Prasad Meena (IAS: 2004: WB). Meena, who had been serving as Secretary of the Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department and also held additional charges as Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board and Divisional Commissioner, Presidency Division, has been appointed as Secretary of the Home & Hills Affairs Department.
In addition to his new role, Meena has also been given additional charge of:
- Parliamentary Affairs Department
- Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department
- Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board
This reshuffle places Meena at the center of multiple critical administrative functions in the state.
Barun Kumar Ray Takes Over Tourism Department
Senior IAS officer Barun Kumar Ray (IAS: 1992: WB), who was serving as Additional Chief Secretary of the Non-Conventional & Renewable Energy Sources Department, has been entrusted with the Tourism Department portfolio. The Tourism Department was previously managed by Nandini Chakraborty prior to her elevation as Chief Secretary.
This change is seen as a strategic move to bring fresh leadership to the state’s tourism sector, leveraging Ray’s extensive bureaucratic experience.
Surendra Gupta’s Expanded Responsibilities
Surendra Gupta (IAS: 1997: WB), the Principal Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department, has been given additional charge as Divisional Commissioner of the Presidency Division, a responsibility that was earlier under Jagdish Prasad Meena.
The assignment is expected to strengthen coordination between public health initiatives and regional governance in the Presidency Division.
Atri Bhattacharya and Dushyant Nariala Get Additional Charges
The reshuffle also impacts other senior officials:
Atri Bhattacharya (IAS: 1989: WB): Additional Chief Secretary of Sundarban Affairs Department, has been assigned additional charge as Director General of the Netaji Subhas Administrative Training Institute.
Dushyant Nariala (IAS: 1993: WB): Additional Chief Secretary of North Bengal Development Department and Principal Secretary of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), has been given additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary of the Correctional Administration Department.
These adjustments reflect the state government’s focus on reinforcing administrative oversight in strategic areas, including training, regional development, and correctional administration.
Implications of the Reshuffle
The latest reshuffle signals the West Bengal government’s intent to optimize bureaucratic efficiency following the appointment of a new Chief Secretary. With officers like Jagdish Prasad Meena, Barun Kumar Ray, and others taking on expanded roles, the state administration is expected to maintain continuity while addressing emerging governance challenges.
