Who Is Sajjan Singh Yadav? Meet J&K’s next CS
KINS Correspondent
Srinagar Oct 25 (KINS): Senior IAS officer Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch AGMUT cadre officer, is set to take over as the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on November 1, succeeding Atal Dulloo, who is scheduled to retire on October 31.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered Yadav’s transfer from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir for the top administrative post, marking a significant change in the Union Territory’s bureaucracy.
Yadav brings extensive experience in public administration, financial management, governance and public service delivery, having served in several key positions in the Central Government and Union Territories.
Extensive Administrative Experience
Before his appointment as J&K Chief Secretary, Yadav was serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Delhi Government. At the Centre, he served as Special Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Joint Secretary in the Department of Expenditure.
He also served as Joint Secretary and Mission Director of POSHAN Abhiyaan under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, where his responsibilities were linked to the implementation of the national nutrition mission.
His other assignments include serving as adviser to the administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Commissioner of Value Added Tax (VAT), Chief Executive Officer of the Delhi Jal Board, Commissioner of Food and Supplies in the Delhi Government, and Commissioner of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.
His diverse administrative background spans financial management, urban governance, public welfare programmes and citizen-centric service delivery.
Strong Academic Background
Yadav has an extensive academic background, with qualifications in public health, public affairs, management and veterinary sciences.
He holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom. He also earned a Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, United States, and an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.
In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry degree from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
His multidisciplinary education reflects a combination of technical, managerial and public policy expertise.
Recognised for Governance and Public Service
Yadav’s contributions to governance and public administration have earned him several recognitions.
He received the National Award for e-Governance 2017–18 for outstanding performance in citizen-centric service delivery. He has also been awarded the President of India’s Medal for outstanding work in Census Operations.
These recognitions highlight his work in improving public service delivery and implementing administrative programmes.
Author and Public Policy Commentator
Apart from his administrative responsibilities, Yadav is an author and public policy commentator who has written on civil services, governance and public health.
His books include Scaling Mount UPSC: Inspiring Stories of Young IAS Officers, published in English by Penguin and in Hindi and Marathi by Manjul Publications.
He has also authored India’s Vaccine Growth Story: From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri, which has been translated into 15 Indian languages.
Yadav has contributed articles to peer-reviewed national and international journals as well as leading newspapers.
To Take Charge on November 1
Yadav’s appointment comes as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for a change at the highest level of its administrative machinery.
Atal Dulloo, a 1989-batch IAS officer, took over as Chief Secretary on December 1, 2023, and is due to superannuate on October 31, 2026.
According to the MHA order, Yadav’s appointment will take effect from November 1, 2026, or the date of his joining, whichever is later.
His appointment will see him supersede several senior IAS officers for the top administrative position in Jammu and Kashmir.
As Chief Secretary, Yadav will head the Union Territory’s civil administration and coordinate the functioning of government departments, with responsibilities spanning governance, development, public service delivery and implementation of government policies. (KINS)
