New Chief Secretary of West Bengal Government — Who’s Next?

According to a recent report, the decision on who will succeed Manoj Pant as Chief Secretary of West Bengal on January 1 remains undecided. The race is said to be between Prabhat Kumar Mishra (1993‑batch IAS) and Barun Kumar Ray (1992‑batch IAS). Prabhat Kumar Mishra currently holds the post of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, and has previously managed portfolios such as Irrigation and Waterways. Barun Kumar Ray is serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Non‑Conventional & Renewable Energy Sources Department, as per the latest postings list. As of now, no official order has been issued. The final choice will likely depend on seniority, administrative record, and political considerations.