Sanjay Gupta: The Last 1988-Batch IAS Officer Serving as Chief Secretary

Anuj Gaur — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:11:09 +0000

Sanjay Gupta stands out as the only and final Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1988 batch currently serving as a Chief Secretary in the country. A senior officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Gupta is at the helm of the administration in Himachal Pradesh, bringing to the role more than three decades of wide-ranging administrative experience.

Gupta assumed charge as Chief Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh on October 1, 2025, following the retirement of Prabodh Saxena. Alongside this responsibility, he also holds additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary (Town & Country Planning and Housing). He is due to retire from service in May 2026, marking the end of an era for the 1988 IAS batch.

Over a career spanning more than 37 years , Gupta has served across almost every major department of the state government. His previous assignments include key roles as Principal Secretary in departments such as Education, Technical Education, Transport, and Fisheries. He has also held important leadership positions, including Chairman of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd. and Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board.

In the infrastructure sector, Gupta served as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation, reflecting his strong grounding in technical and project-oriented governance. His field experience includes stints as Divisional Commissioner of Shimla and Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul & Spiti, giving him firsthand exposure to both urban and remote hill administration.

Born on June 5, 1966, in Haryana, Gupta is a Civil Engineering graduate with a Diploma in Management. Within bureaucratic circles, he is known for his meticulous approach, technical depth, and a leadership style often described as one of “quiet efficiency.”

As the senior-most officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Sanjay Gupta’s tenure as Chief Secretary represents both continuity and closure—bringing seasoned stewardship to the state administration while drawing the curtain on the long journey of the 1988 IAS batch at the very top.