IAS Monika S. Garg’s upcoming Retirement triggers the Race for Key Posts in UP…
As Monika S. Garg, IAS (1989 batch), prepares to retire on April 30, 2025, from her key positions as Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC) and Additional Chief Secretary for Minority Development and Muslim Waqf Department, the Uttar Pradesh bureaucracy is abuzz with speculations over her successor.
Top Contender for the APC Role….
S.P. Goyal (IAS: 1989, UP Cadre)…
Currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shri SP Goyal stands out as the senior-most officer in the cadre, with retirement slated for January 2027. His close working relationship with the Chief Minister and administrative seniority position him as a frontrunner for the APC post. Moreover, should Chief Secretary, Shri Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS: 1988) retire in July 2025 without an extension, Shri SP Goyal could also emerge as a strong candidate for the top bureaucratic post in the state.
The bureaucracy grapevine is also said to be abuzz with what might happen if Shri SP Goyal is not picked for either of the two posts, the APC or Chief Secretary roles. It is heard that he could be considered for other prominent positions such as Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC, formerly PICKUP) or the state’s Transport Corporation.
Other notable contenders in the running
Deepak Kumar (IAS: 1990, UP Cadre)
Currently helming the Finance Department as Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Deepak Kumar is widely viewed as another serious contender for the APC role, backed by his extensive experience in managing the state’s financial affairs.
Himanshu Kumar (IAS: 1990, UP Cadre)
Also from the 1990 batch, Shri Himanshu Kumar is in the mix, though his approaching retirement in October 2025 could influence considerations regarding his appointment.
Devesh Chaturvedi (IAS: 1989, UP Cadre)
Now serving as Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture, Shri Devesh Chaturvedi’s possible return to Uttar Pradesh could shake up the race. Given his seniority and sectoral expertise, he is seen as a strong contender not just for the APC post, but potentially for the Chief Secretary’s office as well.
Ultimately, the final decision is expected to weigh in factors like seniority, administrative track record, and the evolving strategic priorities of the state government. It will sure be interesting to see who wins the favour of the powers that be!
