Centre Clears Repatriation of Senior IAS Officer as Maharashtra Prepares for Key Administrative Transition
In a major bureaucratic development, Rajesh Aggarwal, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, is poised to take over as the next Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. His repatriation from the Centre to his parent cadre has paved the way for his elevation to the state’s top administrative position, currently held by Rajesh Kumar (1988 batch), who is scheduled to retire at the end of November after an extended tenure.
Repatriation Signals Leadership Change
The Union Government has approved Aggarwal’s return from his role as Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, marking the beginning of a leadership transition in Maharashtra’s bureaucracy. Sources indicate that the move has been carefully timed to ensure a seamless administrative handover before the upcoming electoral cycle.
Aggarwal is expected to assume charge in early November, coinciding with the conclusion of Kumar’s tenure. Officials within the state secretariat suggest that his vast cross-sectoral experience and reputation for reform-oriented governance make him a natural choice to guide Maharashtra through a politically and economically sensitive period.
A Technocrat Administrator with Digital Vision
Born on November 12, 1966, Rajesh Aggarwal brings a rare blend of technical expertise and administrative depth. A Computer Science graduate from IIT Delhi (1987), he joined the Indian Administrative Service at the age of 22. His background as a technocrat has defined much of his professional ethos—combining data-driven decision-making with forward-looking governance reforms.
As Secretary (Information Technology), Government of Maharashtra (2011–2015), Aggarwal championed several pioneering digital initiatives, including DigiLocker, Jeevan Pramaan, and multiple e-governance platforms that reshaped public service delivery in the state. He also earned recognition for his role as India’s first cyber law adjudicator, delivering over 70 landmark rulings under the IT Act and contributing significantly to the development of India’s cyber jurisprudence.
Career Highlights and Key Roles
Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Aggarwal has held several pivotal assignments at both state and central levels, including:
District Collector, Akola (1996–1998)
Director, Election Commission of India (2003–2007)
Secretary, Finance, Maharashtra (2010–2011)
Secretary, Information Technology, Maharashtra (2011–2015)
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance (2015–2016)
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (2016–2018)
Director General, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (2018)
Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Petroleum & Natural Gas (2019–2021)
Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (2021–2022)
Secretary, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (2022–2025)
This blend of financial, technological, and developmental experience places him among India’s most versatile civil servants.
Driving India’s Digital and Skill Missions
Aggarwal has been a key architect in India’s digital governance landscape, contributing to flagship national missions such as:
Aadhaar and Jan Dhan Yojana – enabling financial inclusion through technology
DigiLocker and e-Kranti – enhancing digital access to government services
Skill India Mission – empowering youth through vocational training and entrepreneurship
Accessibility Initiatives for Persons with Disabilities – ensuring inclusive governance and equitable access to infrastructure
His reformist approach has earned him multiple recognitions, including:
Premier 100 CIO Award (Computerworld USA, 2014)
UID Innovation Award (Prime Minister’s Award)
CIO Excellence Award (Dataquest, 2013)
A Leader for Maharashtra’s Next Administrative Phase
With Maharashtra heading into a crucial political year, Aggarwal’s expected appointment as Chief Secretary is seen as a strategic decision to combine stability, innovation, and fiscal discipline. Colleagues and peers describe him as a “visionary administrator with a technocrat’s mind and a reformer’s heart.”
If appointed, his term will extend until November 2026, offering over a year of consistent leadership. His arrival at the helm is expected to bring a renewed focus on technology-driven governance, administrative accountability, and efficient service delivery, marking a new chapter in Maharashtra’s bureaucratic evolution.
