In a significant bureaucratic move, Rajeev Verma, an IAS officer of the 1992 batch (AGMUT cadre), has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Delhi, effective 1 October 2025. He will succeed Dharmendra, who is set to retire on 30 September. The decision, made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, involves transferring Verma from his current post in Chandigarh to Delhi.
Profile & Career Trajectory
- Cadre & Batch: Verma belongs to the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh‑Goa‑Mizoram & Union Territories) cadre and entered the service in 1992.
- Current Posting: He is serving as the Chief Secretary of Chandigarh, a position he has held since early 2024.
- Educational Background: Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Verma holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Roorkee) and an MTech from IIT.
- Experience in Delhi: He has held vital roles in the Delhi government, such as Finance & Revenue Secretary (2018–22) and Principal Commissioner, Housing & Urban Affairs in the Delhi Development Authority.
- Central Roles: His central government service includes stints in Defence, Power, and other departments, along with administrative roles in transport and urban governance.
Significance & Challenges Ahead
Importance of the Role
- The Chief Secretary is the top bureaucrat in the National Capital Territory, coordinating between the GNCTD government, central ministries, and various agencies in Delhi.
- This appointment comes at a time when Delhi is facing complex challenges in urban management, pollution, infrastructure, and public services.
Key Challenges
- Yamuna Cleanup: Reviving the Yamuna river is expected to be one of his priority tasks.
- Inter‑agency Coordination: Delhi’s governance involves multiple overlapping jurisdictions (city, state, central), making collaboration a central challenge.
- Urban Infrastructure & Services: Managing transport, water, air quality, waste, and housing in a megacity like Delhi will test administrative acumen.
- Policy Continuity: Ensuring that ongoing projects and policy interventions proceed seamlessly during the transition period.
Key Facts
- Assumption date: 1 October 2025
- Succession: Succeeds Dharmendra, retiring Chief Secretary
- Cadre: 1992 batch, AGMUT cadre
- Previous role: Chief Secretary, Chandigarh
- Education: BTech / Computer Science (Roorkee) + MTech (IIT)
- Delhi roles held: Finance & Revenue Secretary, Housing & Urban Affairs, Transport