By Zee Media Bureau,Zee News

Copyright india

IAS Vikas Sheel News: The Chhattisgarh state government has appointed veteran IAS officer Vikas Sheel as the states new Chief Secretary. Sheel, an officer belonging to the 1994 batch, was recalled early from his coveted central deputation as Executive Director at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) to hold the most powerful bureaucratic position.He will take the place of Amitabh Jain, who will retire on September 30 after his three-month extension of service.Assumption Of Charge And Tenure OutlookSheel is expected to formally take up the post of Chief Secretary on September 30, 2025.The appointment portends an investment in long-term administrative continuity. With almost 3 years and 9 months to go before his own retirement, Sheel is set to be the third longest-serving Chief Secretary in Chhattisgarhs history, following Amitabh Jain (4 years, 10 months) and Vivek Dhand (3 years, 11 months). The prolonged tenure should offer much-needed continuity in the states emphasis on infrastructure, rural development, and economic modernisation.Recalled From International PostVikas Sheel was posted at the ADB in January 2024 for an unexpired three-year term by the Government of India. In a gesture reflecting the importance of the state task, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had asked the ADB to relieve him prematurely. The ADB has now officially released him.He is likely to come back to Raipur next week. His wife, Nidhi Chhibber, who is also a 1994-batch IAS officer, is returning to Chhattisgarh at the same time from her central deputation.Who Is Vikas Sheel?Born in June 1969, Vikas Sheel enjoys a strong profile combined with academic excellence and extensive administrative experience.Background: A 1994-batch IAS officer, he was initially allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre but shifted to Chhattisgarh upon its creation in 2000.Education: He possesses both Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Master of Engineering (ME) in Electrical Engineering.Principal State Positions: He has been Collector in two of the states most strategically important districts, Raipur and Bilaspur. He has also been in responsible posts in the Departments of Industry, Finance, Health, and General Administration.Central Deputation: At the Centre, he was the Mission Director of the mission-critical Jal Jeevan Mission in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and was in senior positions in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Recognition: He was empanelled as Secretary/Secretary-equivalent by the Centre in March 2025 in view of his long service and high administrative merit. Outpacing Senior OfficersSheels appointment was a surprise to many, as he was picked above a number of his seniors in batch, such as 1991-batch officer Renu Gonela Pillai, 1992-batch Subrata Sahu, and 1993-batch Amit Agarwal.Sources suggest that his spotless record, wide administrative experience in different departments, and recent exposure to the systems of global governance during his ADB stint were determining factors behind his selection to the states highest bureaucratic position. Transition From Amitabh JainIncumbent Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain will retire after completing a stint that started in December 2020. He was allowed a three-month extension last year when he attained the age of compulsory retirement in June.Although there were reports of an additional extension, the state government has instead chosen to have a smooth change of guard. After his retirement, Jain is said to be under consideration for the role of Chief Information Commissioner of Chhattisgarh.Vikas Sheel will be the 14th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh since the state was created in 2000.ALSO READ | Monsoon Retreat To Relieve Heatwave; IMD Predicts Rain For Delhi, UP, And Other States