Guwahati: Senior IAS officer Devasish Sharma, an Assam-Meghalaya cadre officer, has taken voluntary retirement from government service after around 34 years in public administration, paving the way for his entry into active politics.
Mr Sharma, who still had only a few months of service remaining, opted for voluntary retirement while serving as the District Commissioner of Nagaon. He had assumed charge of the district in June 2025.
Speaking to The TOI, Mr Sharma described the decision as a “practical” one, driven by his desire to continue serving people but through a different platform.
Although the government has accepted his voluntary retirement, certain formalities related to his resignation are still pending.
Why Did Devasish Sharma Take VRS?
Mr Sharma said uncertainty surrounding his future political plans was one of the key reasons behind his decision to leave government service before completing his tenure.
Explaining why he did not wait for the remaining months of his service, he said that rather than remaining uncertain about what lay ahead, he considered it more practical to make a decision and move forward.
He summed up his approach with the saying, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
For Sharma, the move marks a transition from a career in the executive branch of government to a possible role in the legislature.
“I have worked as an executive throughout my career. Now, I feel like working as part of the legislature,” he said.
Devasish Sharma to Join BJP
Mr Sharma has made it clear that he intends to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after leaving government service.
His decision has also triggered speculation that he could be considered for the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election from the Nagaon parliamentary constituency.
However, Sharma has stopped short of confirming that he will contest the election.
He said that merely resigning from government service and joining a political party does not guarantee an election ticket. According to him, the decision regarding candidature rests with the party, particularly because there are usually several aspirants for an electoral seat.
While confirming that he would join the BJP, Sharma indicated that his candidature for the Nagaon bypoll would ultimately depend on the party.
Why Does Sharma Want to Enter Politics?
Sharma has indicated that his decision to enter politics stems from his desire to continue public service in a different capacity.
During his long administrative career, he worked directly with people at the district and municipal levels and held several positions that brought him close to governance and public-service delivery.
He has also expressed his view that public service does not have to be confined to the bureaucracy and can be pursued through different institutional platforms.
Sharma said he had witnessed what he described as maximum development and a practical approach to governance during the BJP’s tenure, a position that has further shaped his political outlook.
From Assam Civil Service to IAS
Devasish Sharma’s administrative journey began well before his induction into the IAS.
According to the available service details, he joined the Assam Civil Services (ACS) on May 25, 1992, and was subsequently inducted into the Indian Administrative Service as a 2011-batch officer through promotion.
Born on February 23, 1967, Sharma belongs to the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
His career has included assignments at the district, state secretariat, Raj Bhavan, municipal administration and Assam Bhawan in Mumbai.
His early administrative career included serving as a Circle Officer, where he was involved in field-level administration and flood-relief operations in Barpeta.
In 1996, he served as Special Officer to the then Governor of Assam, Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha, at Raj Bhavan.
Long Association With Assam Bhawan in Mumbai
One of the most notable phases of Sharma’s career was his long association with Assam Bhawan in Mumbai.
He served as Deputy Resident Commissioner and Joint Resident Commissioner at Assam Bhawan across different periods between 2003 and 2021.
His responsibilities in Mumbai extended beyond routine administrative coordination. During this period, he became an important point of contact for Assamese patients travelling to Mumbai for cancer treatment.
His association with cancer-care initiatives also contributed to his wider public profile, particularly among people from Assam seeking medical assistance in Mumbai.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was also involved in coordinating relief packages and assistance for people from Assam.
Served as Guwahati Municipal Commissioner
After his long stint at Assam Bhawan, Sharma moved into municipal administration.
He served as Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) from 2021 to 2022.
The assignment placed him at the centre of urban administration in Assam’s largest city, dealing with civic services and municipal governance.
He subsequently served as District Commissioner of Morigaon, taking on another important field-administration role.
His administrative experience also includes serving as Protocol Officer in the General Administration Departmentand Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department.
Final Posting Was as Nagaon DC
Sharma’s final major administrative assignment was as District Commissioner of Nagaon.
He assumed charge in June 2025 and remained in the post until opting for voluntary retirement in September 2026.
His decision to leave the post before the completion of his service has now brought his administrative career to an end and opened the possibility of a new political chapter.
Devasish Sharma: Education and Early Life
Devasish Sharma was born on February 23, 1967, in Jorhat, Assam.
He completed his schooling at institutions in different parts of the Northeast, including Government HS School in Daporijo, Don Bosco School in Dibrugarh and Swami Vivekananda Vidyalaya in Digboi.
He later moved to Delhi for higher education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ramjas College, University of Delhi.
He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations.
His educational background, combined with his long administrative experience, preceded a career spanning more than three decades in public service.
Cancer Care and Humanitarian Work
Apart from his official responsibilities, Sharma has also been associated with humanitarian and cancer-care initiatives.
He is credited with founding the Deepsikha Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on cancer care, patient support and awareness initiatives in Northeast India.
His work in the area of cancer care has contributed to his public image beyond the conventional bureaucratic role. He was also appointed Chairman of Cancer Care India, according to the information provided.
His association with people at the grassroots level has further contributed to his popularity in Assam. He has been described as an approachable administrator who interacted directly with villagers and communities.
He has also been known for his interest in music and has occasionally sung regional classics at public and community events.
A Bureaucrat’s Transition to Politics
Sharma’s voluntary retirement represents a significant transition after a career that began in the Assam Civil Service in 1992 and eventually took him into the IAS.
From handling flood-relief operations and serving at Raj Bhavan to working at Assam Bhawan in Mumbai, heading the Guwahati Municipal Corporation and serving as district commissioner in Morigaon and Nagaon, his career has covered several important facets of administration.
Now, with his decision to join the BJP, Sharma is seeking to move from executive administration to electoral politics.
While his possible candidature from Nagaon has generated considerable speculation, the former bureaucrat himself has made it clear that joining the BJP does not automatically mean receiving an election ticket.
His next political move will therefore depend both on his formal transition into the party and on the BJP’s decision regarding the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.
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