Unexpected Appointment Brings Senior Bureaucrat Back to State Cadre
In a surprise development, senior IAS officer Vikas Sheel (1994 batch) has been appointed the next Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, succeeding Amitabh Jain (1989 batch), whose extended tenure concludes on September 30, 2025.
The appointment signals Sheel’s return to the state cadre after serving on central deputation as Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila.
Relieved Early from ADB Assignment
Vikas Sheel had been deputed to the ADB in January 2024 for a three-year term by the Government of India. However, following his new assignment, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) sought his early release from the multilateral body, which has now formally relieved him of his duties.
Sheel is expected to return to Raipur next week. His wife, Nidhi Chhibber, also a 1994-batch IAS officer, will be returning to Chhattisgarh after completing her central deputation.
An Accomplished Career in Administration
With over three decades of service, Sheel has held several prominent positions both in Chhattisgarh and at the Centre. His career highlights include:
Collector of Raipur and Bilaspur, two of the state’s largest districts.
Senior roles in departments including Industry, Finance, Health, and General Administration.
At the Centre, he served as Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and held senior positions in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In March 2025, Sheel was empanelled for the Secretary/Secretary-equivalent grade at the Centre, a recognition of his seniority and administrative expertise.
An Unexpected Choice Among Senior Contenders
The decision has taken many by surprise, as Sheel’s name was not among the frontrunners. Until recently, speculation revolved around Renu Gonela Pillay (IAS:1991:CG), Subrat Sahoo (IAS:1992:CG), Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG), and Manoj Pingua (IAS:1994:CG) as likely successors.
According to senior officials, Sheel’s delivery-focused governance track record and the confidence he commands from both the Centre and the state leadership appear to have been decisive factors in his elevation.
Leadership Transition from Amitabh Jain
The outgoing Chief Secretary, Amitabh Jain, will retire on September 30, 2025, after serving in the role since December 2020. Earlier this year, he was granted a three-month extension upon reaching the retirement age in June. Though there was speculation about another extension—similar to the one granted to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain—the state appears to be moving ahead with a smooth leadership transition.
Post-retirement, Jain is reportedly being considered for the position of Chief Information Commissioner of Chhattisgarh.
14th Chief Secretary Since State Formation
Vikas Sheel will be the 14th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh since its formation in 2000. His predecessors include:
Arun Kumar – Oct 2000 to Jan 2003
S.K. Mishra – Jan 2003 to June 2004
A.K. Vijayvargiya – July 2004 to Nov 2005
R.P. Baghi – Nov 2005 to Jan 2007
Shivraj Singh – Jan 2007 to July 2008
P. Joy Oommen – July 2008 to Feb 2012
Sunil Kumar – Feb 2012 to Feb 2014
Vivek Dhand – Feb 2014 to Jan 2018
Ajay Singh – Jan 2018 to Jan 2019
Sunil Kujur – Jan 2019 to Oct 2019
R.P. Mandal – Oct 2019 to Nov 2020
Amitabh Jain – Dec 2020 to Sep 2025 (with extension)
Fresh Leadership for Chhattisgarh Administration
With his wide-ranging administrative experience and reputation for effective governance, IAS Vikas Sheel is expected to bring fresh momentum and renewed leadership to Chhattisgarh’s top bureaucracy.
