In a sweeping late-night administrative reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh Government transferred 33 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including two high-profile figures whose movements have raised political eyebrows — Kaushal Raj Sharma, the Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi, and Shishir, the long-serving Director of the Information Department.
Kaushal Raj Sharma, often described as a “yes man” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been moved to Lucknow as Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). His transfer marks the end of a significant era in Varanasi, the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency, where Sharma served for more than seven years — first as District Magistrate and later as Divisional Commissioner. Notably, Sharma was once transferred in 2022 during his tenure as DM, but the order was abruptly cancelled following intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office. That incident had cemented his image as someone with strong backing from the highest levels of power in Delhi.
However, recent murmurs within BJP and RSS circles suggested dissatisfaction with Sharma’s prolonged presence in Varanasi. According to senior bureaucratic sources, the party leadership, including RSS functionaries, had conveyed their concerns, which ultimately led to his removal — this time with the approval of the PMO. The shift to the CMO in Lucknow is still seen as a significant posting, but it marks a subtle departure from Sharma’s tight control over one of the state’s most politically sensitive cities.
Equally significant is the transfer of Shishir, who had held the post of Director, Information Department, for nearly seven years. Known to be extremely close to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Shishir was instrumental in implementing the state’s communication strategy and played a pivotal role in high-profile events such as the Investors Summit and the recently concluded Maha Kumbh. His sudden move to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Export Promotion Department, as Special Secretary, has raised questions in bureaucratic and political circles. He has also been given additional charge as CEO of the Khadi and Village Industries Board — an assignment seen as less influential compared to his previous role.
Replacing Shishir is Vishal Singh, the outgoing District Magistrate of Bhadohi. Singh, who had earlier served as the Municipal Commissioner of Ayodhya and vice-chairman of the Ayodhya Development Authority from 2020 to 2024, now assumes charge as Director, Information. The reshuffle also brought major changes in Lucknow. Inderjit Singh, the outgoing Municipal Commissioner, has been appointed Special Secretary in the Power Department, and will simultaneously serve as Director of the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) and Managing Director of UP Renewable and EV Infrastructure Ltd Gaurav Kumar, previously Chief Development Officer of Prayagraj, takes over as the new Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow.
In Varanasi, S Rajalingam, who had been serving as District Magistrate, has now been promoted to Divisional Commissioner. Meanwhile, Satyendra Kumar, earlier posted as Special Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, has taken over as the new District Magistrate of Varanasi.
Other changes include the reassignment of L Venkateswarlu, who relinquishes charge of the Transport Department but continues to serve as Managing Director of the UP Administration and Planning Academy, as well as Director of both the State Rural Development Organisation and the SC/ST Research and Training Institute. Amit Gupta, currently Principal Secretary for Stamp and Registration, has been given additional charge of the Transport Department.
In a string of other key postings, Prerna Verma has been made Director of the State Urban Development Agency, while Abhishek Pandey takes over as the new DM of Hapur. Sanjay Kumar Meena has been appointed Vice-Chairperson of the Meerut Development Authority.
The reshuffle impacted district magistrates across 11 districts, with new appointments in Azamgarh, Bareilly, Ambedkarnagar, Ghazipur, Jhansi, Mahoba, Kushinagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Bhadohi. Additionally, new Chief Development Officers were posted in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, and Shrawasti. Officers such as Aryaka Akhouri were moved to medical health as special secretary, while Ujjwal Kumar has taken charge as Managing Director of the UP Medical Supply Corporation. Pulkit Khare, formerly with the planning department, now heads the Skill Development Mission, and Anubhav Singh becomes Vice-Chairperson of the Moradabad Development Authority.
The reshuffle is being seen as a politically strategic administrative overhaul as the government prepares for key programs and potential electoral developments ahead.