Rajeev Singh Thakur is now set to take over as the next Chief Secretary of Manipur after the Centre approved his inter-cadre deputation from Rajasthan to the northeastern state.
The 1995-batch IAS officer is expected to replace Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, the incumbent Chief Secretary, who is due to retire on August 31. The formal appointment by the Manipur government is still awaited, but the Centre’s approval clears a key step for the move.
Centre approves inter-cadre deputation
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the Department of Personnel and Training proposal to shift Rajeev Singh Thakur from the Rajasthan cadre to the Manipur cadre. The deputation has been approved until June 30, 2029, which is also the officer’s scheduled date of superannuation.
The decision marks an important administrative change for Manipur. Thakur’s move follows reports that his name had emerged as a possible choice for the top bureaucratic post as the state prepares for the next phase of administration.
The approval is significant because inter-cadre deputation allows an IAS officer to serve in a cadre other than the one to which the officer was originally allocated. In this case, Thakur will move from Rajasthan to Manipur under the approved arrangement.
Rajeev Singh Thakur brings long central experience
Rajeev Singh Thakur is a senior Rajasthan-cadre IAS officer who has held several important assignments in both the state and the Centre. He is currently associated with NITI Aayog, where government records list him as a Programme Director.
His earlier central government roles include work in the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He has also served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs and later as Additional Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
According to a government-linked profile, his career has included responsibilities in governance, infrastructure, defence and industrial policy. This experience could be relevant as Manipur’s administration continues to deal with major governance and development challenges.
Manipur faces a key administrative transition
The change in the Chief Secretary’s office comes at an important time for Manipur. The state has been dealing with the effects of prolonged ethnic conflict, while the administration has also been working on restoring normalcy and strengthening governance.
The Chief Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the state and plays a central role in coordinating departments, implementing government decisions and advising the political executive on administration. Therefore, any change in the post is closely watched.
Rajeev Singh Thakur’s possible appointment also comes ahead of the 2027 Manipur Assembly election. The next Chief Secretary is likely to oversee administration during a period when policy implementation, public services and preparations for the election will remain important priorities.
Formal appointment still awaited
Although the Centre has approved the inter-cadre deputation, the Manipur government is expected to issue the formal notification appointing the next Chief Secretary. Until that order is issued, Thakur’s elevation should be described as likely rather than formally confirmed.
The approval, however, provides a clear indication of the Centre’s decision. It also establishes the tenure of the proposed inter-cadre deputation until June 30, 2029, giving continuity to the arrangement beyond the immediate leadership change.
Meanwhile, Dr Puneet Kumar Goel’s retirement on August 31 creates the immediate vacancy at the top of the state bureaucracy. The transition is therefore expected to take place around the end of the month, subject to the formal state notification.
Rajeev Singh Thakur likely to lead next phase
Rajeev Singh Thakur’s expected move to Manipur brings a senior officer with extensive central government experience into the state’s top administrative position. His long record across policy and governance assignments is likely to shape expectations around the transition.
For Manipur, the appointment will matter not only as a routine bureaucratic change but also because the state is entering a sensitive period of administrative consolidation. The new Chief Secretary will have to coordinate government machinery while addressing development needs and supporting efforts to restore stability.
Overall, the Centre’s approval has made Thakur the clear expected successor to Goel. The final step is the Manipur government’s formal appointment order, which will confirm when the new Chief Secretary takes charge.
Manipur Kangpokpi Ambush: Four Naga Civilians Reportedly Killed on IT Road