Atish Chandra IAS appointed OSD- Dept of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Shri Atish Chandra IAS (Bihar 1994) presently Special Secretary- Prime Minister’s
Office has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty- Department of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (rank and pay of Secretary) w.e.f. 01.02.2026. Shri Atish Chandra will take over as Secretary- Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare vice Shri
Devesh Chaturvedi lAS (Uttar Pradesh 1989) .
Shri Atish Chandra, IAS, is widely regarded as an officer whose work reflects a rare balance of field experience, administrative clarity, and institutional commitment. With a strong academic foundation—B.A. and postgraduate degrees in Political Science, both from Delhi University—he entered public service with an early inclination toward governance, public welfare, and structural reforms. Over nearly three decades, his career has cut across agriculture, public distribution, rural development, infrastructure, and high-level policy coordination, often highlighted in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News for its consistency and impact.
In August 2025, Shri Chandra assumed office as Special Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), where he is serving until December 2029. This position, at the Secretary-equivalent level, places him at the core of national governance, administrative reforms, and high-priority programme monitoring. His long experience in district leadership, state administration, and central ministries provides him an instinctive understanding of policy implementation challenges—an asset valued highly within the PMO. Prior to this assignment, he served as Additional Secretary in the PMO from May 2022 to August 2025, contributing to inter-ministerial coordination and reform initiatives.
Before joining the PMO, Shri Chandra held one of the most critical operational roles in India’s food management ecosystem: Chairman & Managing Director, Food Corporation of India (FCI), from March 2021 to May 2022. His tenure came at a time of evolving supply-chain priorities, digital overhaul, and heightened public expectations. His calm and methodical approach supported FCI’s efforts to modernize procurement, strengthen storage capacities, and ensure smoother distribution under the national food security framework.
From September 2018 to March 2021, he served as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. This phase enabled him to contribute to agricultural policy, crop support systems, and farmer-centric reforms. His ability to translate field-level realities into actionable policy recommendations was particularly valuable during this period, which saw significant national attention on agriculture and food systems.
One of the longest and most defining phases of his career was his tenure as Secretary to the Chief Minister of Bihar from 2010 to 2018. The role demanded administrative maturity, strategic interface with multiple departments, and meticulous coordination. Shri Chandra earned respect for his steady, non-intrusive working style, maintaining institutional discipline while enabling smoother execution of flagship schemes.
Earlier, he served in diverse capacities such as Commissioner, Koshi Division (2010), Commissioner, Rural Development—MGNREGS (2010), and Managing Director of COMFED, where he contributed to dairy development and cooperative strengthening. His roles in consumer affairs, road construction, and industrial development further showcase his administrative versatility.
The foundation of his leadership was shaped during his repeated field postings as District Collector and District Magistrate in several districts—Vaishali, Madhepura, Madhubani, Gaya, Sitamarhi, and Sheohar—between 1999 and 2009. Across these regions, known for varied socioeconomic challenges, he demonstrated patience, accessibility, and a sensitivity to local needs. Colleagues often note his capacity to maintain clarity and composure during crises, a trait that has guided him throughout his administrative journey.
His early years also included significant work in the departments of Agriculture, Excise & Prohibition, Personnel, Rural Development, and Cooperative administration. These postings, coupled with his training tenure in Tripura, provided him with a wide-angle understanding of governance long before he entered senior leadership roles.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is the nodal body responsible for formulating policies and implementing programmes that support India’s agricultural growth and farmer-centric development. Its mandate covers crop production, extension services, plant protection, credit access, technology adoption, and resilience-building through schemes such as PM-Kisan, crop insurance, and digital agriculture initiatives.
The department works closely with state governments, research institutions, and cooperatives to enhance productivity, improve supply chains, and promote sustainable farming practices. Its interventions are crucial in strengthening food security and ensuring stable livelihoods for millions of farming households.
Frequently featured in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, DA&FW continues to drive innovations in agri-governance, focusing on climate-ready agriculture, improved market linkages, and farmer welfare reforms. Through targeted policies and modern extension systems, the department plays a central role in shaping India’s agricultural transformation.
Today, Shri Atish Chandra, IAS, is regarded as a thoughtful policy professional whose contributions continue to appear in Top Indian Bureaucracy News for their depth and consistency. His journey—from grassroots administration to the Prime Minister’s Office—reflects the steady evolution of an officer who believes in systematic reform, institutional strengthening, and quiet, service-oriented leadership.
Indian Bureaucracy News Network wishes Shri Atish Chandra the very best.