Sanjay Jaju IAS appointed as Chief Secretary – Telangana

Shri Sanjay Jaju, IAS, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Telangana cadre, has built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in public administration across both the Government of Telangana and the Government of India. Recognised for his technology-driven approach, financial expertise and administrative leadership, he has handled a wide range of strategic assignments covering information technology, urban development, infrastructure, defence production, civil supplies, media administration and public policy. Following the Government of Telangana’s notification dated 26 June 2026, Shri Jaju has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of the State and is scheduled to assume office upon the retirement of the incumbent, Shri K. Ramakrishna Rao, IAS, on 30 June 2026.

Shri Jaju possesses an impressive academic background that complements his administrative career. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, an M.Tech. in Technology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Manchester, is a qualified ICWA (Cost Accountant) with First Class, and earned an MBA in Finance from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) with First Class with Distinction. His multidisciplinary education, combining engineering, finance, management and cost accountancy, has provided him with analytical depth and managerial insight that have consistently shaped his approach to governance and policy implementation.

Beginning his IAS career as Sub-Collector, Vijayawada, Shri Jaju gained valuable experience in grassroots administration, revenue management and developmental governance. His early assignments provided him with a practical understanding of district administration and public service delivery. He later served as Project Officer before being appointed Officer on Special Duty under the Rajiv Gandhi Mission, where he worked extensively on elementary education and developmental programmes, acquiring valuable experience in programme management and inter-departmental coordination.

A significant phase of his career began with his appointment as Commissioner of the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. During this period, he emerged as one of the early champions of technology-enabled urban governance. He introduced innovative citizen-centric initiatives that improved municipal service delivery, transparency and administrative efficiency. Several of these initiatives would later receive national and international recognition, establishing him as a pioneer in the application of information technology to public administration.

As District Collector and District Magistrate of West Godavari, Shri Jaju successfully managed diverse responsibilities involving district administration, development programmes, disaster management, law and order, revenue administration and implementation of welfare schemes. The experience strengthened his understanding of governance at the grassroots level while reinforcing his reputation for effective administrative coordination.

His subsequent assignments in urban development further broadened his administrative portfolio. He served as Municipal Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation before taking over as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (INCAP). These positions enabled him to contribute to infrastructure planning, urban development strategies and promotion of public-private partnerships, areas that were becoming increasingly important in supporting the state’s economic growth.

As Commissioner of the Civil Supplies Department, Shri Jaju supervised the implementation of food security programmes and the Public Distribution System. His tenure focused on improving administrative efficiency and service delivery while leveraging technology to strengthen transparency and accountability in public distribution mechanisms.

Among the defining milestones of his career was his tenure as Secretary, Information Technology and Communications Department of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. From 2011 to 2014, he played a pivotal role in accelerating the state’s digital transformation. His most notable contribution was the conceptualisation and implementation of Mee Seva, an integrated citizen services platform that significantly transformed the delivery of government services. By bringing numerous public services under a single digital interface, Mee Seva simplified citizen access, reduced procedural delays and enhanced transparency. The initiative received the prestigious National e-Governance Award and has since served as a model for digital governance initiatives across several states.

Recognising his extensive experience in infrastructure development, Shri Jaju joined the Government of India as Director in the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). During his tenure, he contributed to the planning and execution of strategic national highway projects, particularly in geographically challenging regions, thereby supporting improved connectivity and regional development.

In 2018, Shri Jaju was appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and was later elevated as Additional Secretary in the Department of Defence Production. This assignment marked another significant chapter in his administrative journey. He played an important role in advancing indigenous defence manufacturing, strengthening industry participation and promoting innovation within the defence sector. His work contributed to initiatives aligned with India’s vision of enhancing domestic defence production and technological self-reliance.

One of the most significant achievements during his tenure in the Defence Ministry was his contribution to the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The programme created a robust platform connecting government, start-ups, academia and industry to encourage innovation in defence technologies. In recognition of its contribution to public administration and innovation, the initiative received the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) in 2022.

In February 2024, Shri Jaju assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. As administrative head of the Ministry, he supervised policy matters relating to broadcasting, digital media, public communication and media outreach. His experience in digital governance and technology provided valuable direction to the Ministry during a period of rapid transformation in India’s media and communication landscape.

In March 2026, he was appointed Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), where he was associated with policy initiatives aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and socio-economic progress across the North Eastern states. Although his tenure was brief, it added yet another important dimension to his already diverse administrative experience at the national level.

On 26 June 2026, the Government of Telangana announced his appointment as the next Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana. The appointment represents the culmination of an administrative career spanning over three decades across district administration, urban governance, infrastructure development, information technology, defence production, media administration and central government policy. His extensive experience at both the state and national levels equips him with a comprehensive understanding of governance and institutional management.

Throughout his career, Shri Jaju has demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development. He has completed the Mid-Career Training Programmes for IAS officers, leadership development programmes conducted by the Isha Foundation and the Art of Living, and specialised training in Finance and Fiscal Management in the United States. These programmes have broadened his leadership perspective while reinforcing his commitment to administrative excellence.

Beyond his official responsibilities, Shri Jaju has also contributed to academic and professional discourse. He has authored papers on Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure and served as course writer and editor for the e-Governance curriculum developed by IGNOU. His publications reflect his sustained interest in digital governance, infrastructure development and institutional reforms.

His contributions have earned him numerous prestigious national and international recognitions. Among these are the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), National e-Governance Awards for Mee Seva, the Gold Icon Awards, the Dataquest e-Gov Champion Award, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cyber City Award, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Gender ICT Award, and international recognition through the Stockholm Challenge Awards. Several initiatives associated with his leadership have become reference points for innovation in governance and public service delivery.

Over more than three decades of public service, Shri Sanjay Jaju has consistently demonstrated how technological innovation, sound financial management and effective institutional leadership can strengthen governance. His career reflects an enduring commitment to administrative reforms, digital transformation and citizen-centric governance. As he prepares to assume the office of Chief Secretary of Telangana, he brings with him extensive experience, a proven record of innovation and a broad understanding of public administration that positions him well to lead the state’s bureaucracy in the years ahead.

*Source: indianbureaucracy.com remains a leading reference for Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, Latest Indian Bureaucracy News, Indian Bureaucracy Appointments, Top Indian Bureaucracy News, and Indian Bureaucracy Transfers News.