###Major Administrative Reshuffle in Rajasthan Following Chief Secretary Change

After serving as Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary for nearly 1 year and 10 months, senior IAS officer Sudhansh Pant has returned to his home cadre at the Centre. Pant was appointed Chief Secretary of Rajasthan on January 1, 2024, following Bhajanlal Sharma’s swearing-in as Chief Minister. However, after approximately eleven months, he was relieved from the post on November 11, 2025. Earlier, during Vasundhara Raje’s tenure as CM, Rajiv Maharshi had also returned to the Centre from the Chief Secretary post.

Following Pant’s transfer, senior IAS officer V. Srinivas returned to his home cadre from central deputation on November 17 and assumed the role of Rajasthan Chief Secretary. Shortly after Srinivas’s appointment, the Bhajanlal Sharma government issued a major transfer order late on November 21, reshuffling 48 IAS officers, marking a significant administrative shake-up in the state.

This reshuffle has sparked extensive discussions in administrative and political circles, even during the cold winter season. Among the 48 officers transferred, Additional Chief Secretary Akhil Arora was assigned to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) from the Public Health Department (PHD), while Shikhar Agrawal was moved from the CMO to the Industries Department.

It is noteworthy that such administrative changes in Rajasthan, as in other BJP-ruled states, often align with the directions of the central “double-engine” government in Delhi. Politically and administratively, Bhajanlal Sharma’s leadership over the past two years has consolidated control over the state bureaucracy. Over the past 25 years, Rajasthan’s administrative machinery has witnessed alternating governments of Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot, but since December 2023, when Sharma became CM, the bureaucracy has experienced substantial changes.

When Sudhansh Pant was appointed Chief Secretary, it was expected his tenure would be long. However, with V. Srinivas now assuming the post, he is set to retire in just 10 months. Srinivas is aware that post-retirement, he may be eligible for a six-month extension or other benefits as per regulations.

The Chief Secretary holds primary responsibility for implementing central and state government schemes. Like Pant, V. Srinivas is a capable officer and a trusted official of the Narendra Modi-led central government. In addition to Chief Secretary, Srinivas has been given additional charge of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited and Principal Resident Commissioner of Rajasthan in Delhi. The Principal Resident Commissioner ensures effective coordination between the state and central governments. Srinivas has prioritized implementing the Developed Rajasthan 2047 vision.

Srinivas has extensive experience in high-level administrative positions, including long central deputations. He has served as Secretary of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Secretary of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, and in early career roles such as Sub-Divisional Officer in Pali, District Collector in Jodhpur, and Director of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation. He also led the Digital-AIMS initiative as Deputy Director at AIIMS, New Delhi, digitizing patient records, online OPD processes, and improving hospital administration.

Internationally, Srinivas has worked in Washington, D.C., as a technical assistant in the Executive Director’s office at the International Monetary Fund, giving him insight into global finance and policy-making. His governance philosophy emphasizes transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Notably, he is the first IAS officer in India elected as President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), reflecting international recognition of his expertise and leadership. Srinivas has received awards from the National Productivity Council for productivity in rainfed agriculture and recognition from both the Rajasthan and central governments for administrative excellence.

Similarly, IAS officer Akhil Arora, appointed Additional Chief Secretary in the CMO, has an impressive record. He has long served in Rajasthan’s Finance Department, preparing four state budgets, including a grant-in-aid budget. His financial management expertise earned him responsibilities under both Congress and BJP governments, demonstrating trust in his capabilities. While appointed Additional Chief Secretary in the CMO, he retains key responsibilities in the Public Health Department, crucial in water-scarce Rajasthan.

Alongside these administrative changes, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is expected to expand his cabinet, a discussion ongoing for the past two years. Under regulations, six more ministers can be appointed, and it remains to be seen how soon the cabinet expansion will take place.