Karnataka CMO Overhaul Begins: Tushar Giri Nath Becomes ACS to CM DK Shivakumar, Rajendra Cholan Takes Charge as Secretary to Chief Minister
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has initiated a major restructuring of the Chief Minister’s Office by appointing senior IAS officers Tushar Giri Nath and Rajendra Cholan to key positions. The reshuffle signals a strategic effort to strengthen governance, policy coordination, and administrative efficiency.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has begun reshaping the administrative architecture of the state government with a significant reorganization of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), bringing in two seasoned IAS officers to occupy some of the most influential positions in the state bureaucracy.
In one of the first major bureaucratic moves since assuming office, the Karnataka government has appointed senior IAS officer Tushar Giri Nath as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, while Rajendra Cholan P has been named the Secretary to the Chief Minister. The appointments, announced through official government orders on June 3, are being viewed as a carefully calibrated effort to build a strong administrative team around the new Chief Minister and ensure effective implementation of the government’s policy agenda.
The reshuffle comes at a time when the new administration is preparing to roll out key governance initiatives, oversee major infrastructure projects, and balance ambitious welfare commitments with fiscal discipline. Political observers and bureaucratic circles alike see these appointments as a signal that the government is prioritizing administrative experience and institutional continuity at the highest levels.
Tushar Giri Nath Moves to the Heart of Government
Among the most significant changes is the appointment of Tushar Giri Nath (IAS:1993: Karnataka) as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Before this posting, Tushar Giri Nath was serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Urban Development Department, one of Karnataka’s most critical administrative portfolios. His move to the Chief Minister’s Office places him at the centre of policymaking and governance coordination.
He succeeds Anjum Parwez (IAS:1994: Karnataka), who had occupied the position since June 2025. Interestingly, Anjum Parwez himself had taken charge after the retirement of veteran bureaucrat L.K. Atheeq, who recently returned to public service as Financial Adviser to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Despite taking up his new assignment, Tushar Giri Nath will continue to hold additional charge of the Urban Development Department until further orders. The arrangement is expected to ensure continuity in ongoing urban infrastructure projects and city governance initiatives while allowing him to support the Chief Minister’s broader development agenda.
A Bureaucrat with Deep Governance Experience
Tushar Giri Nath is widely regarded as one of Karnataka’s most experienced administrators. Over the course of a career spanning more than three decades, he has handled several high-profile assignments across sectors ranging from urban governance and infrastructure development to public administration and policy implementation.
His tenure in the Urban Development Department has been particularly notable, involving oversight of municipal administration, urban planning, smart-city initiatives, housing projects, and large-scale infrastructure programmes.
Government insiders believe his extensive experience in managing complex projects and coordinating across departments will prove valuable as the new administration seeks to accelerate development initiatives and improve administrative efficiency.
His appointment is also expected to strengthen coordination between the Chief Minister’s Office and key departments, a critical requirement for ensuring that flagship projects move forward without bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Rajendra Cholan Elevated to Secretary to Chief Minister
In another important development, Rajendra Cholan P (IAS:2008: Karnataka) has been appointed Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Prior to this assignment, Rajendra Cholan was serving as Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister. His elevation to the Chief Minister’s Office marks a significant step in his administrative career and places him among the most influential officers in the state government.
He replaces Cauvery B.B. (IAS:2008: Karnataka), who had been serving in the role since October 2024.
The Secretary to the Chief Minister occupies a pivotal position within the state administration. The office functions as a key bridge between the Chief Minister and government departments, ensuring that policy decisions are effectively communicated, monitored, and implemented.
As Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rajendra Cholan will be responsible for coordinating with departments, reviewing policy execution, monitoring government programmes, and facilitating communication between senior officials and the Chief Minister’s Office.
Additional Responsibility in Karnataka’s Power Sector
Rajendra Cholan’s responsibilities will extend beyond the Chief Minister’s Office.
The Karnataka government has simultaneously entrusted him with additional charge as Managing Director of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), one of the state’s most important public sector enterprises responsible for electricity generation.
With this decision, senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta has been relieved of the additional charge of KPCL Managing Director.
The dual assignment reflects the confidence reposed in Rajendra Cholan’s administrative capabilities. It also places him at the intersection of two strategically important areas—government administration and energy management.
Given Karnataka’s growing energy requirements and its focus on industrial expansion, renewable energy, and infrastructure development, leadership at KPCL remains a critical component of the state’s broader development strategy.
Building a New Administrative Team
The appointments form part of a larger effort by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to shape the administrative structure of his government.
Every incoming administration seeks to create a team capable of translating political priorities into administrative action. The latest reshuffle suggests that the Karnataka government is relying on experienced officers with proven track records to help execute its governance agenda.
The Chief Minister’s Office serves as the command centre of state administration, overseeing policy coordination, monitoring flagship schemes, reviewing departmental performance, and ensuring inter-departmental cooperation.
Strengthening the CMO is often regarded as one of the most important steps for any government seeking efficient implementation of programmes and faster decision-making.
Strategic Significance of the Reshuffle
Beyond individual appointments, the reshuffle reflects a broader administrative strategy.
By bringing Tushar Giri Nath into the CMO while simultaneously assigning Rajendra Cholan a dual role encompassing both governance and power-sector oversight, the government appears to be creating a leadership structure capable of handling both policy formulation and execution.
The appointments also underline the administration’s emphasis on continuity. Both officers possess extensive experience within Karnataka’s governance framework and are familiar with the state’s institutional processes, developmental priorities, and administrative challenges.
Observers believe this combination of experience and institutional knowledge could prove critical as the government pursues major infrastructure projects, welfare initiatives, urban development programmes, and economic growth strategies.
What Lies Ahead
The restructuring of the Chief Minister’s Office is likely to be one of several administrative changes expected in the coming weeks as the new government settles into office.
For now, the appointments of Tushar Giri Nath and Rajendra Cholan signal the beginning of a new administrative chapter under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Both officers bring substantial experience, strong governance credentials, and a deep understanding of Karnataka’s administrative machinery.
As the government moves forward with its policy priorities, these appointments are expected to play a key role in ensuring smoother coordination, stronger implementation, and more effective governance across the state.
With major development initiatives, infrastructure investments, and governance reforms on the horizon, the revamped Chief Minister’s Office is set to become the nerve centre driving Karnataka’s next phase of administration and growth.
