Ashish Kundra Appointed as Ladakh’s New Chief Secretary: Veteran IAS Officer to Take Charge in January 2026
New Delhi: In a major administrative development, senior IAS officer Ashish Kundra (AGMUT cadre, 1996 batch) has been selected to serve as the next Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a formal notification announcing his transfer from Delhi to Ladakh. According to the order, Kundra will assume office on January 1, 2026, or from the date he officially takes charge, whichever occurs later.
Replacing Ladakh’s First Chief Secretary
Kundra will take over from Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS:1994:AGMUT), who became Ladakh’s first Chief Secretary in February 2025 after the position of Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor was reclassified. Dr. Kotwal is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2025, paving the way for a smooth leadership transition.
A Career Spanning Multiple Union Territories and Diverse Roles
Over his 26-year career, Ashish Kundra has handled a wide spectrum of leadership responsibilities across several regions including Chandigarh, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Delhi. His administrative experience cuts across governance, infrastructure planning, policymaking, and organisational reform.
At present, Kundra serves as the Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, a post that involves high-level coordination, strategic oversight, and administrative decision-making within the National Capital Territory.
A Critical Administrative Assignment for Ladakh
Ladakh is in the midst of a major development phase, with ongoing restructuring of administrative frameworks and large-scale infrastructure expansion. Kundra’s appointment is expected to strengthen governance during this pivotal period.
The decision was issued by the Union Territory Division of the MHA, through Director (S) Anish Muraleedharan, and shared with Chief Secretaries of all Union Territories and states governed under the AGMUT cadre including Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Mizoram, Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
Additionally, Administrators and Advisors overseeing Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have been informed.
Profile: Who Is Ashish Kundra?
Date of Birth: March 6, 1973
Cadre: AGMUT
Batch: 1996
Education: B.Tech in Electronics, IIT-BHU (Banaras Hindu University)
Major Positions Held
Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi
Chief Electoral Officer, Mizoram
Principal Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Transport Department, Delhi
Commissioner, Finance, Planning & Investment, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
Administrator of Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Joint Secretary / Additional Secretary in various central ministries and the Delhi Government
Private Secretary to the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry
Kundra has worked on assignments that involved complex logistics, regulatory reforms, development administration, and public mobility systems.
Author and Thinker
He is also an author. His book, “A Resurgent Northeast” (HarperCollins), draws from his extensive eight-year tenure in the northeastern states, a period he describes as deeply transformative.
On LinkedIn, Kundra refers to himself as “an accidental civil servant” with strong interests in frontier governance and sustainable urban mobility.
A Technocrat With Multi-Sector Administrative Expertise
Throughout his service, Kundra has consistently demonstrated:
Strong capability in policy development and strategic planning
Leadership in change management and administration of Union Territories
Expertise in urban transport and infrastructure development
Hands-on experience in electoral supervision and public governance
His wide-ranging exposure equips him to navigate Ladakh’s administrative priorities, especially as the Union Territory enters a new phase of institutional strengthening and developmental consolidation.
What His New Role Means for Ladakh
As Chief Secretary, Kundra will be responsible for steering the UT’s administrative machinery, coordinating between central ministries and local authorities, and ensuring timely implementation of strategic projects in connectivity, infrastructure, and public welfare.
His arrival is expected to bring seasoned leadership at a moment when Ladakh is preparing for long-term development, administrative innovation, and enhanced citizen services.
