The Uttar Pradesh government has requested the Centre to extend the tenure of Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh by one year, ahead of his scheduled retirement on July 31, 2025. The decision now rests with the Central government.

Manoj Kumar Singh, a 1988-batch IAS officer, assumed the role of Chief Secretary on June 30, 2024, succeeding Durga Shankar Mishra, who had served with an extension of two and a half years. Singh also holds multiple key positions, including Industrial and Infrastructure Development Commissioner, Chairperson of PICUP, CEO of UPEIDA, CEO of UP State Highways Authority, ACS Coordination, and Project Director of UP Diversified Agriculture Support Project.

The state government has emphasized Singh's contributions to industrial and infrastructure development, particularly his efforts towards achieving the state's ambitious goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy. The letter to the Centre also highlights his involvement in major projects such as the Zero Poverty program, the upcoming Global Investors Summit, and the Ground Breaking Ceremony planned for later this year. The government argues that Singh's continued leadership is crucial for maintaining momentum in these projects and signaling continuity to investors. In 2019, Anup Chandra Pandey, the then-chief secretary, was granted a six-month extension due to the Investors Summit.

There are three primary reasons why the UP government seeks to retain Manoj Kumar Singh:

• Reliability and Influence: Singh is considered one of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's most trusted and influential officers. His proximity to the Chief Minister is evident in the high-stakes departments under his leadership, especially those related to economic growth and infrastructure development.
• Industrial Growth and Economic Goals: The government has highlighted Singh's contributions to industrial growth and the state's objective of becoming a $1 trillion economy. As Additional Chief Secretary for Industrial Development, he plays a vital role in driving investment in Uttar Pradesh. He also heads the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), overseeing key infrastructure projects like the Purvanchal and Ganga expressways.
• Political Stability: With three-tier panchayat elections scheduled for early 2026, the government is keen to maintain experienced leadership. Singh's experience in navigating political and administrative transitions makes him a steady hand in managing both bureaucracy and electoral sensitivities.

If the Centre does not approve the extension, several other senior IAS officers are in contention for the post, including S.P. Goyal (Additional Chief Secretary to the CM) and Devesh Chaturvedi (Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) from the 1989 batch. Deepak Kumar, a 1990-batch officer and current agriculture production commissioner, is also considered a strong contender. A decision regarding Singh's extension is expected by July 30.