Jaipur: With chief secretary V. Srinivas set to retire on August 31, the race to become Rajasthan's next top bureaucrat has intensified, with additional chief secretary (ACS) of the water resources department, Abhay Kumar, emerging as the frontrunner. A 1992-batch IAS officer, Rajat Kumar Mishra, currently on deputation at the Centre, and ACS to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Akhil Arora, are also among the leading contenders, making the succession process closely watched within administrative circles.
Discussions Underway for Smooth Transition
Sources said the state government has begun discussions on the appointment to ensure a smooth transition in case Srinivas does not receive an extension from the Centre. The selection assumes significance given recent precedents, where former chief secretaries Sudhansh Pant and V. Srinivas were brought back from New Delhi, while under the previous Congress government, Niranjan Arya was appointed after superseding several senior officers.
Abhay Kumar: The Frontrunner
A 1992-batch IAS officer, Kumar is considered the strongest claimant on the basis of seniority. Currently heading the water resources department, he has been overseeing the Ramjal Setu Link Project, one of the Bhajan Lal Sharma government's flagship initiatives. Kumar is due to retire in August 2028.
Rajat Kumar Mishra: A Strong Contender
Another key contender is Rajat Kumar Mishra, also a 1992-batch IAS officer, who is serving as secretary at the Department of Fertilizers, under the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Known for his administrative and financial management experience, he is seen as having strong policymaking credentials and close coordination with the Centre. He is scheduled to retire in January 2028.
Akhil Arora: Efficient Administrator in the Race
Akhil Arora, a 1993-batch IAS officer, is also in the race. Having previously handled the finance and public health engineering departments, he is regarded as an efficient administrator and is credited with ensuring steady funding for government schemes and projects. He is due to retire in February 2029. However, appointing Arora would mean superseding officers from the 1992 batch.
