Is the Centre Influencing Chief Secretary Appointments in BJP-Ruled States?

There is a growing perception that BJP-ruled states are increasingly appointing chief secretaries preferred by the Centre. Several past appointments have reinforced this belief, including Rajesh Aggarwal in Maharashtra and Srinivas in Rajasthan, among others. Observers note that a clear pattern appears to be emerging in recent years. Attention has now shifted to Odisha, where Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, who received a one-year extension, is scheduled to retire in December 2025. The key question being closely watched is whether Odisha will also see a chief secretary aligned with the Centre’s preference. Only time will reveal the outcome.

In a related development, Madhya Pradesh currently has the highest representation of officers at the secretary and secretary-equivalent level in the Government of India. At present, ten IAS officers from Madhya Pradesh are serving as secretaries or in equivalent positions at the Centre.

Separately, there is speculation among insiders that the newly constituted Central Information Commission (CIC) team is entirely the choice of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, adding another dimension to discussions around key institutional appointments.