Manoj Kumar Das Appointed as Gujarat’s New Chief Secretary — A Technocrat Administrator with Three Decades of Distinguished Public Service
In a key bureaucratic development, the Gujarat Government has appointed Manoj Kumar Das (IAS, 1990 batch, Gujarat cadre) as the new Chief Secretary of the state. His appointment will take effect from October 31, 2025 (A.N.), following the retirement of Pankaj Joshi (IAS) on the same day.
The official notification was issued by the General Administration Department on Monday. Mr. Das is presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister in Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, and will assume charge as Gujarat’s senior-most bureaucrat at the end of this month.
A Veteran Civil Servant and Technocrat
Mr. Das brings with him over 30 years of experience in administration, economic planning, and governance reforms. A 1990-batch officer, he has served in various key positions at both state and central government levels, earning recognition for his results-oriented approach and commitment to transparency.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, Mr. Das holds a B.Tech (Hons.) in Computer Science and Engineering. Born on December 20, 1966, he is proficient in Bengali, English, Hindi, and Gujarati, making him a linguistically versatile leader well-suited for Gujarat’s multilingual administrative ecosystem.
Early Career and Administrative Journey
Mr. Das began his civil service career as District Development Officer (DDO) in Vadodara, where he demonstrated efficiency in local development planning. Over the years, he has served across multiple districts, building a reputation for pragmatic leadership and effective governance.
His notable assignments include:
Municipal Commissioner of Surat and Vadodara – where he received eight national awards for innovation in urban governance.
Joint Managing Director, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) – contributing to the state’s energy sector expansion.
Director & Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Principal Secretary, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.
Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Mines Department – where he played a crucial role in formulating and implementing the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020, translated into multiple languages to attract global investors.
Driving Gujarat’s Industrial and Maritime Growth
As head of the Industries and Mines Department, Mr. Das was instrumental in strengthening Gujarat’s position as one of India’s leading industrial hubs. He also led the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019, transforming it into a global platform for strategic partnerships and investment.
Later, as Additional Chief Secretary, Ports & Transport Department, he championed several visionary initiatives, including:
Founding the Gujarat Maritime University.
Establishing the Maritime Cluster to promote port-based industries.
Launching the Gujarat Ports Logistics Company.
Pioneering greenfield port projects aligned with national programs such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision, and Make in India.
Leadership Style and Reputation
Widely regarded as a results-driven leader, Mr. Das is known for his disciplined work ethic and pragmatic problem-solving approach. Colleagues describe him as a “strategic administrator” with exceptional organizational skills and a strong sense of accountability.
He shares a long professional association with K. Kailashnathan, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, dating back to his early days as Deputy Municipal Commissioner in Ahmedabad (2000–2001). His consistent record of performance and reliability has made him one of the most trusted officers in Gujarat’s administrative setup.
Honours and Achievements
Mr. Das has been conferred with multiple national awards for excellence in urban management during his tenure in Surat and Vadodara. He has also been honored by the Governor of Gujarat for his outstanding work in rural development and administrative innovation.
Guiding Gujarat into a New Phase of Growth
With Gujarat poised for rapid expansion in infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics, the appointment of a technocrat-administrator like Mr. Das is seen as a strategic step toward reinforcing governance efficiency and driving sustainable growth.
His blend of technical expertise, administrative acumen, and visionary leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding Gujarat through its next chapter of development and modernization.
