Rajesh Pandey IAS given additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary- Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department , West Bengal
Shri Rajesh Pandey IAS (West Bengal 1995) presently Additional Chief Secretary- Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department, will also hold the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary- Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department , West Bengal.
Shri Rajesh Pandey, IAS, is a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service from the West Bengal cadre, presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) & Textiles Department, Government of West Bengal. In this capacity, he heads one of the most critical economic development departments of the state, responsible for promoting industrial growth, supporting small-scale enterprises, and strengthening the textile ecosystem. The department works to create a supportive policy and institutional environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, enabling MSMEs to access technology, finance, and markets. Readers can explore the department’s initiatives, schemes, and investor support mechanisms through the official portal of the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal at MSME & Textiles Department Official Website, which serves as the primary gateway for MSME policy support and enterprise facilitation in the state.
Shri Pandey brings to this role nearly three decades of wide-ranging administrative experience across sectors such as industrial development, energy management, district administration, sports governance, and rural development. Known for his policy orientation and administrative leadership, he has played a key role in shaping industrial and MSME policy frameworks in West Bengal. The MSME sector remains one of the most significant drivers of employment and economic expansion in the state, with the department focusing on cluster development, credit facilitation, skill development, and digital support platforms for entrepreneurs. Through initiatives such as technology linkages and investor connectivity platforms, the department is working to build a robust ecosystem for sustainable MSME growth across the state.
Academically, Shri Rajesh Pandey has an impressive educational background combining engineering, management, and public policy. He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Mechanical Engineering, graduating with First Division. He further enhanced his managerial capabilities with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, also securing First Division. Demonstrating a strong commitment to public policy learning, he later pursued advanced studies abroad and earned a Postgraduate degree in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States, graduating First with Distinction. This international academic exposure helped deepen his understanding of governance systems, policy analysis, and institutional reforms in the public sector.
Prior to his current appointment in the Apex Scale as Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Pandey served as Principal Secretary to the Government, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department, from December 2023. During his tenure, he was instrumental in strengthening policy frameworks for MSME expansion, promoting cluster-based development in traditional sectors such as textiles and handicrafts, and facilitating industrial investment in the state. He also served as Principal Secretary, Textiles Department, beginning in December 2019, while simultaneously handling the charge of Principal Secretary, Micro and Small Scale Enterprises Department from October 2019 to January 2024. His tenure in these positions saw the promotion of sectoral policies aimed at enhancing productivity, encouraging innovation, and improving market access for small and medium enterprises.
A major highlight of Shri Pandey’s career has been his leadership in the power distribution sector. He served as Chairman and Managing Director of the State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, West Bengal, from December 2015 to December 2019. Earlier, he had also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the same utility between June 2011 and August 2013, during which he contributed to improving operational efficiency, strengthening electricity distribution infrastructure, and enhancing consumer services across the state. Between these two tenures, he served as Secretary in the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of West Bengal, where he played a key role in promoting youth development programs and strengthening sports infrastructure across the state.
Shri Rajesh Pandey has also held several significant positions in electoral administration and governance reform. In 2011, he served as Officer on Special Duty and Special Secretary in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, contributing to the conduct and management of elections in the state. Earlier, he served as Electoral District Officer in Kolkata, where he handled important responsibilities related to electoral management and voter administration.
At the district level, Shri Pandey acquired substantial administrative experience while serving as District Magistrate of Darjeeling from 2006 to 2008 and District Magistrate of Nadia from 2004 to 2006. His responsibilities in these positions included maintaining law and order, implementing development schemes, supervising district administration, and coordinating disaster management efforts. Earlier in his career, he also served as Chief Executive Officer of Siliguri, Additional District Magistrate in Darjeeling, Sub-Divisional Officer, and Executive Magistrate, gaining deep exposure to grassroots governance and public service delivery.
In addition to his administrative assignments, Shri Pandey also availed study leave abroad from August 2008 to June 2010, during which he completed his advanced policy studies in the United States. His early career included positions such as Officer on Special Duty to the Minister in the Home Department, Under Secretary in the Home Department, and Assistant Magistrate, which laid the foundation for his long and distinguished career in public administration.
Over the years, Shri Rajesh Pandey has emerged as a seasoned administrator known for his balanced approach to policy formulation and implementation. His leadership across diverse sectors—from district administration and electoral governance to energy management and industrial policy—has significantly contributed to the strengthening of governance and economic development in West Bengal. In his present role, he continues to guide the state’s efforts to expand the MSME ecosystem, encourage entrepreneurship, and enhance the competitiveness of the textile and small industry sectors.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Shri Rajesh Pandey the very best.