By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM |
With Chief Secretary Dharmendra set to retire on September 30, the race for Delhi’s top bureaucratic post has intensified. While the Centre may grant the 1989-batch IAS officer a three-month extension, discussions are underway on possible successors from the AGMUT cadre.

Names in contention include Amit Yadav (1991 batch), Debashree Mukherjee (1992), Vijay Kumar (1992), and Ashwini Kumar (1992). Yadav, currently Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, earlier served as NDMC Chairperson. Mukherjee has held key roles in DTC, Delhi Jal Board, Social Welfare, and Women & Child Development. Vijay Kumar has served as Principal Secretary to the Lt. Governor, besides holding charge of Trade & Taxes, DJB, and DTC. Ashwini Kumar, now MCD Commissioner, earlier led Delhi’s Revenue and Home departments.

Dharmendra, who became Chief Secretary on September 1, 2024, is expected to follow the pattern of his predecessor Naresh Kumar, who received two extensions totaling nine months after superannuation in November 2023. The final call on whether to continue Dharmendra or bring in a new face lies with the Centre.