New Delhi: A major administrative change has been announced in the Delhi government. The Centre has appointed senior IAS officer Rajiv Verma, a 1992-batch officer, as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi. He will officially assume charge on October 1, 2025, following the retirement of incumbent Chief Secretary Dharmendra Kumar, who is set to superannuate on September 30.
Currently serving as Chief Secretary of Chandigarh since January 2024, Verma will be transferred to Delhi for his new role. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the formal order confirming his appointment.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 12, 1966, in Uttar Pradesh, Rajiv Verma holds a B.Tech and M.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Roorkee, along with a Master’s degree in Economics. He entered the civil services after clearing the UPSC examination in 1992 and was allotted the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories).
A Distinguished Career
With more than three decades of service, Verma has held several key positions in the Centre as well as Union Territories. His association with Delhi is longstanding. From 2018 to 2022, he served as Principal Secretary (Finance/Revenue) and Commissioner of Revenue, where he played a crucial role in boosting revenue collection, ensuring financial transparency, and strengthening tax administration. His initiatives significantly contributed to improving Delhi’s fiscal health.
In 2017–2018, Verma also served as Principal Commissioner (Housing & Urban Affairs) at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), tackling challenges of urban expansion and housing shortages. He spearheaded infrastructure projects and pushed reforms to improve living conditions in the capital.
From 2013 to 2017, he worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, dealing with key national security matters. His career also includes a notable stint as Chief Secretary of Puducherry, where he was credited with implementing administrative reforms. More recently, in Chandigarh, he was recognized for innovative governance measures and active problem-solving at the local level.
Advantage of Delhi Experience
Verma’s prior experience in Delhi is expected to be an asset as he works closely with the BJP-led government in the national capital under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Historically, the Chief Secretary’s role in Delhi has often faced political challenges due to tensions between the state government and the Centre. However, with the same party in power at both levels, smoother coordination is anticipated.
