Uttar Pradesh Approves Promotion of 24 IAS Officers Ahead of 2026; Four 2001-Batch Officers Elevated to Principal Secretary
In a major administrative decision ahead of the New Year, the Uttar Pradesh government has given the green signal for the promotion of 24 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, with the upgraded ranks coming into effect from January 1, 2026. The move is expected to trigger a large-scale bureaucratic reshuffle across the state.
The promotions were approved by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), which was chaired by Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal. The committee cleared the elevation of four senior IAS officers from the 2001 batch to the prestigious rank of Principal Secretary. Alongside this, 20 IAS officers belonging to the 2010 batch have been approved for promotion from the rank of Special Secretary to Secretary.
Four 2001-Batch Officers Cleared for Principal Secretary Rank
According to established service norms, IAS officers become eligible for promotion to the Principal Secretary level after completing 25 years of service with a clean and satisfactory record. In line with these provisions, officers from the 2001 batch were assessed and found suitable for elevation this year.
The officers approved for promotion to Principal Secretary are:
Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, currently serving as Divisional Commissioner, Devipatan Division
Ajay Kumar Shukla, posted as Secretary, Urban Development Department
Aparna U, serving as Secretary, Medical Education Department
S.V.S. Rangarao, Member, Board of Revenue
Following the issuance of formal posting orders, all four officers are expected to be entrusted with independent charge of key government departments, marking a significant expansion of their administrative responsibilities.
Twenty IAS Officers of 2010 Batch Promoted to Secretary
The DPC also cleared the promotion of 20 IAS officers from the 2010 batch, all of whom have completed the mandatory 16 years of service required for elevation to the Secretary level. These officers are being promoted from Special Secretary to Secretary rank.
Among this group, Durga Shakti Nagpal, currently posted as the District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri, stands out as the only officer from the 2010 batch presently holding a DM position. The remaining officers are serving either as Special Secretaries in various departments or are holding additional charges at the Secretary level.
After the promotions come into force, many of these officers are likely to be appointed as Divisional Commissioners or assigned full-fledged Secretary responsibilities in important state departments.
Clearance of Promotions in Additional Service Grades
Apart from senior-level promotions, the Departmental Promotion Committee also reviewed and approved cases in other service categories. This included the consideration of IAS officers from the 2013 batch for elevation to the Selection Grade, as well as officers from the 2017 batch for grant of Administrative Grade Pay.
The state’s Appointments Department is expected to issue formal notification orders shortly. All approved promotions across categories will be deemed effective from January 1, 2026.
Large-Scale Administrative Changes Expected
With promotions approved at both the Principal Secretary and Secretary levels, Uttar Pradesh is poised for a significant reorganisation of its administrative structure. Officers moving up to the Principal Secretary rank will be handed independent departmental charges, while newly promoted Secretaries are expected to be placed in strategic positions, including Divisional Commissioner posts and leadership roles in key departments.
Senior officials indicate that the promotion exercise is also likely to result in multiple District Magistrate-level transfers once the new postings are finalized, setting the stage for a comprehensive bureaucratic reshuffle across the state in early 2026.
