Senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal is emerging as the frontrunner for the post of Chief Secretary of West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly elections. His possible elevation is being widely viewed within administrative circles as recognition for his role in conducting what has largely been described as free, fair, and peaceful Assembly polls in the state.
A 1990-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, Agarwal is currently serving as the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). Sources in the state administration indicate that the newly-formed BJP government is likely to appoint him as the next Chief Secretary.
Born on July 8, 1966, in Uttar Pradesh, Agarwal studied at La Martiniere College and belongs to the 1983 batch of the institution. He later earned a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur before joining the IAS through direct recruitment in 1990.
Over a career spanning nearly 36 years, Agarwal has held around 27 assignments across key sectors of governance, particularly in land revenue, home affairs, and administrative coordination. Officials familiar with the developments say his stewardship during the Assembly elections considerably strengthened his claim for the state’s top bureaucratic position.
However, election management alone is not believed to be the sole reason behind his likely elevation. Senior officials point to his long administrative experience and consistent handling of sensitive assignments as factors that have worked in his favour. Notably, several officers from his batch — including Vivek Kumar, Hridesh Mohan and Vivek Bharadwaj — continue to remain in service.
Agarwal is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2026. If appointed, he may initially serve as Chief Secretary for around two-and-a-half months, although an extension remains a possibility depending on administrative requirements.
An IIT Kanpur alumnus, Agarwal is regarded as one of the more seasoned officers in the state bureaucracy. Administrative insiders recall that he had earlier been overlooked for the Chief Secretary’s post, a move that reportedly caused disappointment among sections of the bureaucracy close to him. The Mamata Banerjee-led government had instead recommended his name for the post of Chief Electoral Officer.
Over the years, Agarwal has occupied several influential positions in the West Bengal government. After serving as District Magistrate of Burdwan in 2001, he went on to become Chairman of the West Bengal Highway Corporation, Principal Secretary in the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, Principal Secretary of the Food Department, Additional Chief Secretary of the Fire and Emergency Services Department, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest Department. He is also currently serving as President of the state IAS Association.
Between 2003 and 2010, Agarwal served on Central deputation, including as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training and later as Commissioner (Land and Development) at the Delhi Development Authority.
His tenure as Principal Secretary of the Food and Supplies Department between 2017 and 2018 drew attention after he reportedly ordered FIRs into alleged irregularities in the public distribution system.
From 2021 onwards, he handled major portfolios including Fire and Emergency Services, Forests, Disaster Management, and Civil Defence before being appointed Chief Electoral Officer in March 2025 to oversee the 2026 Assembly elections.
Within bureaucratic circles, Agarwal is often described as an upright and firm administrator known for adhering strictly to procedure. Officials also credit him with managing the complex security arrangements and deployment of central forces during the recently concluded elections.
Speculation over his possible appointment gathered further momentum after incumbent Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala reportedly visited the CEO’s office and held a meeting with Agarwal on Thursday.
