The bureaucratic circles are abuzz with speculation that Mr. Sanjay Jaju, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Telangana cadre and the current Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary, may return to Telangana as the next Chief Secretary (CS).
The incumbent CS, Ms. A. Shanthi Kumari, a 1989-batch IAS officer, is set to retire in April 2025, opening up the coveted position.
Mr. Jaju, who has been on central deputation since 2014, briefly returned to Telangana in 2022, serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Telangana Bhawan. Sources suggest that he is eager to return to the state if given the opportunity to serve as Chief Secretary.
However, the race for the top bureaucratic position is competitive, with several senior IAS officers also being considered strong contenders. These include:
- Mr. Shashank Goel (1990-batch)
- Mr. Arvind Kumar (1991-batch)
- Mr. K. Rama Krishna Rao (1991-batch)
- Mr. Vikas Raj (1992-batch)
- Mr. Jayesh Ranjan (1992-batch)
The final decision will depend on a combination of factors, including seniority, administrative track record, and alignment with the state government’s priorities.
