Who Is Sanjay Kumar? Retired Bihar IAS Officer Emerges as Front-Runner for NITI Aayog CEO, Also Tipped for Key Role in Bihar CM’s Office
Former Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, a 1990-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, is reportedly being considered for the post of NITI Aayog CEO or a senior role in the Bihar Chief Minister’s Office. Here’s a detailed look at his career, education, key assignments and achievements.
Who Is Sanjay Kumar? Retired Bihar IAS Officer Emerges as Front-Runner for NITI Aayog CEO, Also Tipped for Key Role in Bihar CM’s Office
New Delhi: Just days after retiring as Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Ministry of Education, veteran IAS officer Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1990:Bihar) is once again at the centre of high-level administrative discussions. According to sources familiar with the developments, the seasoned bureaucrat is being actively considered for a significant post-retirement assignment at the national level, with his name emerging as one of the leading contenders for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
At the same time, there is growing speculation within bureaucratic and political circles in Bihar that Kumar could return to the state administration in an influential capacity. Sources indicate that his name is also under consideration for a senior position in the Bihar Chief Minister’s Office, where he could be appointed either as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister or as a key policy Advisor.
Although no official announcement has been made by either the Centre or the Bihar Government, discussions surrounding Kumar’s next assignment have gathered momentum following his retirement on June 30, 2026. His extensive experience in governance, education reforms, institutional restructuring and public policy has made him one of the most sought-after retired civil servants for leadership roles.
Centre Weighing Sanjay Kumar for NITI Aayog Leadership
According to highly placed sources, the Government of India is evaluating Sanjay Kumar’s candidature for the post of CEO of NITI Aayog, one of the country’s most influential policy think tanks.
The CEO of NITI Aayog plays a pivotal role in shaping national development strategies, coordinating with central ministries and state governments, driving policy reforms and facilitating cooperation with industry, academia and international institutions.
Officials believe Kumar’s long administrative career, coupled with his experience in handling complex reforms across multiple sectors, makes him a strong contender for the role.
Having worked extensively on education policy, governance reforms and institutional strengthening, he is regarded as an administrator capable of bridging policy vision with effective implementation.
Bihar CM’s Office Also in the Picture
Even as his name is being discussed for NITI Aayog, Bihar’s political establishment is also exploring the possibility of bringing Kumar back into the state administration.
Sources suggest he is under active consideration for a senior assignment in the Chief Minister’s Office. If appointed, he could either serve as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary or function as a senior Advisor, helping steer policy planning and administrative reforms.
The speculation comes amid ongoing changes within Bihar’s political and administrative landscape.
The advisory role is presently held by retired IAS officer Deepak Kumar (IAS:1984), who has long been associated with former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. With Nitish Kumar now serving as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and reportedly being considered for a larger role within the NDA, discussions on administrative restructuring have naturally intensified.
Officials familiar with the developments believe Kumar’s return could provide valuable administrative continuity as Bihar pushes ahead with governance reforms, infrastructure development and public service delivery.
A Distinguished Career Spanning Nearly Four Decades
Belonging to the 1990 batch of the Bihar cadre, Sanjay Kumar has built a reputation as one of the country’s most accomplished civil servants.
Born on June 4, 1966, he has served in a wide range of leadership positions at both the
