Who Is IAS Officer Saurabh Bhagat? J&K Bureaucrat Given Additional Charge of IT and Public Grievances Departments
In an important administrative reshuffle, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has assigned senior IAS officer Saurabh Bhagat the additional charge of the Information Technology (IT) Department and the Public Grievances Department, further expanding his role in the Union Territory’s administration.
The decision was approved by the Lieutenant Governor and formalized through Government Order No. 1038-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department on June 3, 2026.
New Responsibilities
Currently serving as Commissioner/Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Bhagat will now additionally function as:
Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Department
Administrative Secretary, Public Grievances Department
The arrangement will remain effective until further orders.
Why These Departments Matter
Information Technology Department
The IT Department is at the center of Jammu & Kashmir’s digital transformation efforts. It is responsible for:
Expanding e-governance initiatives
Improving online public services
Digitizing government processes
Enhancing transparency and efficiency through technology
Public Grievances Department
The department plays a key role in citizen-centric governance by:
Addressing public complaints and grievances
Monitoring grievance redressal systems
Strengthening government accountability
Improving citizen-government interaction
With these additional assignments, Bhagat will now oversee three major administrative portfolios simultaneously.
Educational Background
Born on April 30, 1977, in Madhya Pradesh, Saurabh Bhagat has a diverse academic profile. He holds:
Bachelor’s Degree in Management
Master’s Degree in Psychology
Qualifications in Company Law
His multidisciplinary educational background has supported his work across governance, institutional development, and public administration.
Career and Administrative Experience
A 2002-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Bhagat has built a reputation as an experienced administrator through a series of important assignments in Jammu & Kashmir.
His notable positions include:
Director General, Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development
Commissioner/Secretary, Skill Development Department
Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department
Commissioner/Secretary, Labour and Employment Department
Commissioner/Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department
Commissioner/Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department
Over more than two decades of service, he has worked across sectors ranging from workforce development and tribal welfare to technology, governance reforms, and institutional capacity building.
Significance of the Latest Appointment
Officials describe the move as an interim administrative arrangement aimed at ensuring continuity in two strategically important departments.
As Jammu & Kashmir increasingly focuses on digital governance, online service delivery, and responsive grievance redressal, the government has entrusted these responsibilities to a seasoned officer with extensive experience in policy implementation and public administration.
The assignment further strengthens Bhagat’s position within the Union Territory administration and places him at the forefront of key governance reforms focused on technology-driven service delivery and citizen engagement.
Quick Profile
Particulars Details
Name Saurabh Bhagat
Service Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Batch 2002
Cadre AGMUT
Birth Date April 30, 1977
Home State Madhya Pradesh
Education Management, Psychology, Company Law
Current Main Post Commissioner/Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs
Additional Charges IT Department and Public Grievances Department
Key Previous Roles JK IMPARD DG, Skill Development Secretary, Science & Technology Secretary, Labour & Employment Secretary, Tribal Affairs Secretary
With his latest responsibilities, Saurabh Bhagat is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Jammu & Kashmir’s digital governance agenda while strengthening mechanisms for citizen grievance redressal and public service delivery.
