Centre Moves to Extend President’s Rule in Manipur, Appoints New Chief Secretary Ask ChatGPT
Former Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh had been transferred to this post shortly before the imposition of President’s Rule in January this year
Amit Singh, a 2000-batch Indian Railways Stores Service (IRSS) officer, has had his deputation as Secretary to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended until March 31, 2027 — a timeline that now aligns with the next UP Assembly elections, slated for early 2027. The decision, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and announced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 11, has sparked interest across Uttar Pradesh’s political and bureaucratic circles.
Singh, 49, has emerged as one of CM Adityanath’s most trusted aides since being inducted into the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in 2017, shortly after Adityanath assumed office for the first time. Initially appointed as Special Secretary, Singh was later promoted to Secretary — a post he continues to hold, managing key portfolios including industrial development, infrastructure projects like expressways and metros, tourism, IT and electronics, and airport development.
An alumnus of NIT Calicut with a postgraduate degree from IIT Bombay, Singh is known for his low-profile but efficient administrative style. Government insiders credit his rise to his strategic approach and strong management skills, which helped him steer clear of controversy and secure the Chief Minister’s confidence.
His rapport with Adityanath reportedly began during his tenure at the North Eastern Railways (NER) headquarters in Gorakhpur — Adityanath’s political stronghold — where Singh served as the Chief Public Relations Officer and secretary to the then General Manager until August 2016.
Following this, he briefly served as Regional Passport Officer in Lucknow under the Ministry of External Affairs. Just a month after Adityanath became CM in 2017, Singh was brought into the state’s power centre, marking the start of a long and influential stint in the UP administration.
Singh’s deputation was last extended in 2023 until August 2025, and now, with another extension in place till 2027, he is set to play a significant role in shaping the government's narrative and policies leading up to the crucial state elections.
