Haryana Chief Secretary Race Intensifies: Who Is IAS V. Umashankar, the Likely Successor to Anurag Rastogi?
The Haryana bureaucracy is bracing for a significant administrative reshuffle, with the state government reportedly seeking the repatriation of four senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers currently serving on central deputation. The proposed move has sparked speculation over key appointments, particularly the next Chief Secretary of Haryana and the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Among the officers whose return is being discussed are V. Umashankar (IAS: 1993: Haryana), Rakesh Gupta (IAS: 1997: Haryana), Nitin Yadav and Vikas Gupta. The possible repatriation of Umashankar and Gupta has attracted particular attention because of their previous experience in the Haryana Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and their administrative track records.
V. Umashankar, currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is being considered a potential successor to incumbent Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, whose tenure is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, Rakesh Gupta, presently serving as Additional Secretary in the President’s Secretariat, is being discussed for the vacant position of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. The post fell vacant following the retirement of Arun Kumar Gupta (IAS: 1992: Haryana) on September 30, 2026.
Who Is IAS V. Umashankar?
V. Umashankar is a 1993-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, born on July 1, 1968. Originally from Maharashtra, he has built an extensive administrative career spanning more than three decades, with experience in infrastructure development, power, information technology, urban governance and public administration.
He holds a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, along with a postgraduate qualification in Public Policy and Management from the Indian Institute of Management.
Throughout his career, Umashankar has occupied several strategically important positions in both the Haryana government and the Union government, gaining experience in policymaking, governance reforms and infrastructure administration.
Currently Serving as Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Umashankar is presently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. He assumed charge of the position on November 1, 2024. In this capacity, he is associated with policy formulation and implementation concerning national highways, road infrastructure, road transport and road safety.
His central deputation has further strengthened his experience in managing large-scale infrastructure and national-level administrative priorities. Before moving to the Centre, he held several influential positions in Haryana, including the prestigious post of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Served Two Haryana Chief Ministers as Principal Secretary
One of the most significant phases of Umashankar’s career was his association with the Haryana Chief Minister’s Office. He initially served as Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister from October 2018 to October 2020. Subsequently, in October 2020, he was appointed Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
During his tenure, he worked with former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and subsequently with Nayab Singh Saini. His responsibilities involved coordinating key administrative initiatives, monitoring government programmes and strengthening governance and public-service delivery mechanisms.
Among his notable assignments was overseeing the implementation of Haryana’s Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), a family-based identification and social registry initiative intended to facilitate targeted delivery of government welfare benefits. He was also associated with the state’s public grievance redressal system through the CM Window portal.
Key Administrative Assignments in Haryana
Apart from his responsibilities in the CMO, Umashankar has handled several important portfolios in the Haryana government. His previous assignments included senior responsibilities in the Power, Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Languages, and Citizen Resources Information departments. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Gurgaon, gaining valuable experience in urban administration and municipal governance.
His combination of state-level administrative experience and central government exposure makes him a prominent name in discussions surrounding the next Chief Secretary of Haryana. Umashankar is scheduled to retire from service in June 2028.
Who Is IAS Rakesh Gupta?
Rakesh Gupta, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, is another senior bureaucrat whose possible return to the state has generated considerable interest.
He is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the President’s Secretariat. His previous central assignments have included responsibilities in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Gupta holds a B.Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Delhi and a PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, United States. His administrative experience spans healthcare, social welfare, digital governance, education and public-service delivery.
Rakesh Gupta’s Previous Role in Haryana Chief Minister’s Office
Gupta served as Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana from October 2014 to October 2018, during Manohar Lal Khattar’s first tenure as Chief Minister. During this period, he was associated with several important governance and social-sector initiatives.
He played a significant role in the implementation of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in Haryana, serving as the state’s nodal officer for the initiative. The programme focused on improving the child sex ratio and addressing gender discrimination.
He was also associated with the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates Programme and various technology-driven administrative reforms. His previous experience in the CMO makes him a potential candidate for the vacant position of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Contributions to Healthcare, Education and Digital Governance
Gupta has also held several important assignments in the healthcare and education sectors. During his tenure in Haryana, he served as Mission Director of the National Health Mission and as Deputy Commissioner in districts including Gurugram, Faridabad, Rohtak and Karnal.
His administrative responsibilities included healthcare delivery, public welfare programmes and technology-based governance initiatives. He was also associated with the implementation of platforms and programmes such as Antyodaya SARAL, Saksham Haryana and other initiatives aimed at improving the delivery of public services.
As Secretary of the Haryana Board of School Education, he was also involved in measures to curb examination malpractice and improve the integrity of the examination system.
Haryana Awaits Centre’s Decision on Repatriation
The Haryana government’s request for the return of four senior IAS officers from central deputation comes at a crucial administrative juncture, with important positions awaiting appointments.
V. Umashankar’s name has emerged prominently in discussions over the succession to Anurag Rastogi as Chief Secretary, while Rakesh Gupta is being considered for a possible return to the Chief Minister’s Office as Principal Secretary.
Both officers bring considerable experience in state administration and central government assignments, along with their previous association with Haryana’s governance machinery.
However, the proposed appointments remain speculative at this stage. The Centre’s decision on the repatriation request and subsequent posting orders will determine the officers’ future responsibilities. The coming weeks could therefore prove significant for Haryana’s senior administrative establishment.
