Manoj Kumar Singh Returns to Helm Reform: UP Government Appoints Former Chief Secretary as First CEO of the State Transformation Commission
In a major administrative milestone, the Uttar Pradesh government has named former Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS: 1988: UP) as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Transformation Commission (STC). The appointment was finalized through an official order issued on Saturday, marking a significant step in strengthening the state’s long-term development architecture.
His term as CEO will span three years from the day he assumes office, making him the inaugural leader of the commission established in 2022.
A Veteran Administrator Returns to a Strategic Policy Post
Mr. Singh, a retired IAS officer with a longstanding reputation for administrative competence and political trust within the Yogi Adityanath government, has previously held numerous pivotal roles. Originally from Ranchi (Jharkhand), he has served as:
District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Pilibhit, Moradabad, Aligarh, and Lalitpur
Commissioner of Agricultural Production
Commissioner of Industrial Development
Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department
He was appointed Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh in July 2024, leading critical portfolios across governance and development sectors. After a 14-month tenure, he retired on July 31, 2025, as a 1988-batch IAS officer. Although the UP government had requested a one-year extension, it was not approved, and he was succeeded by Shashi Prakash Goyal.
During his time as Chief Secretary, Mr. Singh played a key role in initiatives like the Global Investors Summit and the roadmap toward making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy.
Impactful Initiatives Under His Leadership
Mr. Singh is widely credited with several noteworthy contributions to Uttar Pradesh’s governance landscape, including:
Leading containment and management efforts during the COVID-19 outbreak in rural regions
Implementing the BC Sakhi (Doorstep Banking) Programme across villages
Contributing significantly to UP achieving 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in all 75 districts under the Swachh Bharat Mission
His post-retirement return to a high-level policy role is being viewed as a strategic government move aimed at accelerating reforms and enhancing developmental momentum.
STC Positioned as the Engine of UP’s Future Growth
The State Transformation Commission is expected to play a central role in shaping Uttar Pradesh’s long-term development agenda. Designed as the state’s premier policy think tank, the STC coordinates economic reforms, evaluates district-level outcomes, and supports the Chief Minister’s vision of positioning UP as a major economic powerhouse.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who chairs the commission, is framing the STC as a key institution to drive economic transformation over the next decade.
Commission Structure: A Blend of Policymakers and Experts
Ex-Officio Members include Ministers or Ministers of State from:
Finance
Agriculture
Social Welfare
Rural Development
Panchayati Raj
Medical Health
Industrial Development
Jal Shakti
Urban Development
Planning
Senior bureaucrats—including the Chief Secretary, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Industrial Development Commissioner, and various Principal Secretaries—also serve as core members.
Non-official Members comprise specialists from:
Social sector
Agriculture and cadre services
Finance
Industrial development
Technology
Investment
Energy
What the State Transformation Commission Does
Formed in October 2022 by restructuring the earlier State Planning Commission (1972), the STC functions similarly to NITI Aayog, prioritizing outcome-driven planning aligned with national and global benchmarks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While the old Planning Commission focused on five-year plans, the STC works on:
Annual evaluations of state development
Sector-wise policy reforms
District planning and performance monitoring
Digital transformation strategies
Investment roadmaps
The commission has been instrumental in policies such as the MSME Promotion Policy, Bioenergy Policy, and several initiatives following the 2023 Global Investors Summit.
Core Responsibilities of the STC
The commission is tasked with:
Assessing the state’s physical, financial, and human resources
Preparing short-term and long-term strategies for various sectors
Addressing regional development disparities
Designing policies to boost economic and social progress
Developing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategies
Monitoring state programs for efficiency and outcomes
Identifying and removing structural and administrative bottlenecks
Enhancing the overall standard of living across Uttar Pradesh
A Strategic Appointment for Uttar Pradesh’s Policy Future
By appointing Manoj Kumar Singh as the first CEO of the State Transformation Commission, the Uttar Pradesh government has underscored its commitment to institutionalized planning, effective governance, and long-term economic upliftment. His experience, leadership, and policy understanding are expected to significantly strengthen the state’s reform agenda and accelerate its growth trajectory.
