Apoorva Kumar Singh IAS given addtitional charge as ACS- Architecture Dept, Haryana
Shri Apoorva Kumar Singh IAS (Haryana 1991) presently Additional Chief Secretary -Higher Education Department and Additional Chief Secretary – PW (B&R) Department has been given the addtitional charge as Additional Chief Secretary – Architecture Department, Haryana.
Who is IAS Apoorva Kumar Singh | Shri Apoorva Kumar Singh, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Haryana cadre, is widely regarded as one of the state’s most accomplished senior administrators. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has led key departments across urban development, public health engineering, environment and forests, industries, energy, finance, rural development, transport, education and governance reforms. His remarkable blend of technical expertise, legal scholarship and administrative experience has enabled him to steer complex policy initiatives while strengthening institutional governance and public service delivery.
His academic credentials are exceptional and reflect an enduring commitment to learning. Shri Singh earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, graduating with First Class honours. He further pursued postgraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, adding an international dimension to his technical education. Complementing his engineering background, he acquired legal qualifications by earning an LL.B. from Panjab University and subsequently completed two Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees from National Law University, Delhi, including specialization in Constitution and Interpretation of Statutes. This rare combination of engineering, public administration and constitutional law has equipped him to approach governance challenges with analytical precision and a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks.
Currently, Shri Singh serves as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Haryana in the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), a responsibility he has held since November 2021. The department is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation infrastructure and water resource management across the state. Under his administrative leadership, emphasis has been placed on strengthening public utility systems, improving water supply networks and supporting sustainable infrastructure development.
In 2022, he simultaneously held the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, following a brief tenure as Principal Secretary in the same department. These assignments placed him at the forefront of environmental governance, forest conservation and implementation of policies balancing ecological sustainability with economic development.
Urban governance has been another defining pillar of Shri Singh’s career. Since 2018, he has been associated with the Urban Development, Town and Country Planning Department as Principal Secretary, contributing significantly to urban planning, infrastructure expansion and sustainable city development. His responsibilities have included policy formulation, regulation of urban growth, housing development and strengthening municipal institutions to meet the evolving needs of rapidly urbanising regions.
His administrative experience extends across several sectors that directly influence economic development. As Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, he played an important role in promoting industrial growth, facilitating investment and improving the business environment in Haryana. Earlier, he also served as Principal Secretary in the Industrial Training and Vocational Education Department, where he worked towards strengthening skill development initiatives and aligning vocational education with industry requirements. Simultaneously, he handled the portfolios of Mines and Geology and Employment, reflecting his ability to oversee multiple departments with diverse policy objectives.
Shri Singh has also made notable contributions to sports administration, having served as Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, where he supported initiatives aimed at promoting sports infrastructure, youth engagement and athletic excellence. His tenure in Technical Education further reinforced the state’s efforts to improve higher technical education and institutional capacity.
Earlier in his career, he handled several governance-oriented assignments including Secretary, Personnel and Training Department, Parliamentary Affairs Department and Inquiry Officer in the Vigilance Department. These responsibilities required close coordination across government departments, strengthening administrative systems, capacity building and ensuring transparency and accountability in public administration.
His extensive field experience includes serving as Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon during a period of rapid urban expansion and economic transformation. Earlier, he served as Deputy Commissioner, Hisar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Panipat, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, gaining valuable experience in district administration, land revenue management, law and order, disaster response and implementation of development programmes at the grassroots level.
Shri Singh has also held leadership positions in several public sector undertakings and infrastructure organisations. As Managing Director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) and Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL), he oversaw critical aspects of power distribution and transmission, contributing to improvements in electricity management and organisational efficiency. His experience further includes serving as Director General, Transport Department, Special Senior Adviser, Civil Aviation, Managing Director, Har Agro Industries Corporation, and Director General in the Agriculture Department, reflecting his versatility across infrastructure, agriculture and public utilities.
His assignments in Excise and Taxation, where he simultaneously served as Excise and Taxation Commissioner, strengthened fiscal administration and revenue management. Earlier, he headed departments such as Mines and Geology, Employment, Public Relations, and Social Justice and Empowerment, demonstrating his ability to lead organisations across social, economic and regulatory sectors.
At the national level, Shri Singh served as Private Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, providing him with valuable exposure to central government functioning, inter-ministerial coordination and policy implementation. He also held assignments in liaison, tourism and public relations, broadening his administrative perspective.
Throughout his distinguished career, Shri Apoorva Kumar Singh has earned recognition for his multidisciplinary approach to governance, combining scientific knowledge, legal expertise and practical administrative experience. His ability to manage diverse portfolios, implement complex reforms and strengthen institutional capacity has made him one of Haryana’s most respected senior civil servants. As Additional Chief Secretary, he continues to contribute to public policy, infrastructure development, environmental stewardship and administrative excellence, reinforcing the principles of responsive, transparent and citizen-centric governance that define the Indian Administrative Service.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Shri Apoorva Kumar Singh the very best.