The Central Government has approved a one-year extension in service for Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi (IAS: 1990: HY), extending his tenure up to June 30, 2026. Rastogi, who was due for retirement at the end of this month, was appointed as Chief Secretary in February 2025 following the appointment of Vivek Joshi (IAS: 1989: HY) as Election Commissioner of India.

As per a communication issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel on June 19, the extension was approved on the proposal of the Haryana Government. His extended service will now run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Since Rule 16(1) of the All-India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, allows for only a six-month extension for Chief Secretaries, the Centre invoked Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conditions of Service – Residuary Matters) Rules, 1960, to relax the rule and grant a full 12-month extension. Rule 3 empowers the Central Government to relax or dispense with the provisions of any rule framed under the All India Services Act, 1951.

Rastogi’s appointment earlier this year by the Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana Government bypassed the conventional seniority principle. According to the state IAS gradation list, Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990: HY) ranks highest in inter-se seniority, followed by Sumita Misra, Anurag Rastogi, Anand Mohan Sharan, and Raja Sekhar Vundru. A dispute over the inter-se seniority among 1990-batch officers remains unresolved.

Sudhir Rajpal, currently Additional Chief Secretary (Health), is due to retire in November 2026. Sumita Misra, who holds the charge of Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Additional Chief Secretary (Home), is due for retirement in January 2027. Both officers could still be in contention for the Chief Secretary post once Rastogi’s extended tenure concludes in June 2026.

Also Read: 31 IAS transferred in Haryana; Saket Kumar assigned additional charge as MD, Haryana Power Generation Corporation

Prior to this appointment, Rastogi briefly served as interim Chief Secretary between the retirement of TVSN Prasad and the appointment of Vivek Joshi in November 2024. He was later posted as Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and concurrently held charges of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning—roles he continues to hold.

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