In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, transferred 33 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on April 22, 2025. This overhaul included the reassignment of district magistrates in 11 key districts, marking a notable shift in the state's administrative landscape.
The changes were announced late Monday night and involved several high-profile officials. Among those transferred was Shishir, who previously served as the Director of Information. He has now been appointed as the special secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), export promotion, and CEO of the Khadi board. This move is seen as part of an effort to streamline operations within the state's economic sectors.
Another significant appointment is that of Kaushal Raj Sharma, who has transitioned from his role as the Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi to become the new Secretary to the Chief Minister. This position will place him at the heart of decision-making within the state government.
The reshuffle also saw Vishal Singh appointed as the new Director of Information and Culture. Singh, who was previously the District Magistrate of Bhadohi, is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the department.
District magistrates in major districts such as Varanasi, Azamgarh, Hapur, Bareilly, Ambedkar Nagar, Ghazipur, Jhansi, Kushinagar, Mahoba, Bhadohi, and Sant Kabir Nagar have also been changed. For instance, S. Rajalingam, the incumbent DM of Varanasi, has been promoted to Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi, reflecting the government's strategy to elevate experienced officials to critical roles.
In addition to these key appointments, several other officers received new assignments. Prerna Sharma, who was serving as the DM of Hapur, has been appointed as the Director of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA). Amit Gupta, previously the Principal Secretary for Stamps and Registration, has been reassigned as Principal Secretary for Transport and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation.
Abhishek Pandey, who was the Vice President of the Meerut Development Authority, will now take on the responsibilities of District Magistrate of Hapur. His experience in development projects is anticipated to benefit the district's administrative processes.
Moreover, Sanjay Kumar Meena, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Gorakhpur, has transitioned to become the Vice President of the Meerut Development Authority, while Aligarh's Joint Magistrate, Shashwat Tripurari, will now serve as CDO of Gorakhpur.
In a related move, Ravindra Kumar-2, who was previously the DM of Bareilly, has been transferred to Azamgarh as the new DM, taking over from Navneet Singh Chahal, who has been appointed as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Other notable changes include Avinash Singh, the former DM of Ambedkar Nagar, now taking charge in Bareilly, and Anupam Shukla, who has been appointed DM of Ambedkar Nagar after serving as Special Secretary for Energy.
Indrajit Singh, the former Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow, has been assigned the role of Special Secretary for Energy, while Gaurav Kumar, the Development Officer of Prayagraj, will now serve as the new Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow. This reshuffle aims to enhance the efficiency of municipal governance in the capital.
Additionally, Harshika Singh, Joint Magistrate of Chandauli, will now serve as the CDO of Prayagraj, indicating the government's focus on appointing capable individuals to manage urban development effectively.
The recent reshuffle also included changes among the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, with three officers receiving new assignments. D.K. Thakur has been appointed as Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Security Force (SSF) in Lucknow, while Bhanu Bhaskar has been designated ADG of the Meerut Zone. Dr. Sanjeev Gupta has been posted as ADG of the Prayagraj Zone, further indicating a strategic approach to enhancing law enforcement across the state.
In total, 24 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) were also transferred as part of this extensive administrative shake-up. The reshuffle reflects the government's ongoing efforts to optimize the functioning of various departments and improve governance in Uttar Pradesh.
Overall, this latest round of transfers is seen as a critical move by the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that experienced and capable officers are placed in key positions, helping to drive the state's development agenda forward. As the new appointees step into their roles, the focus will be on addressing the pressing challenges facing the state, from urban development to enhancing public services.
With these changes, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to create a more responsive and efficient administrative framework, ensuring that its policies and initiatives are effectively implemented.
