The Uttar Pradesh government has appointed IAS Dr. Raj Shekhar, a 2004-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as Secretary, Planning Department, with additional responsibility as Director General, Economics and Statistics.
Dr. Raj Shekhar was previously serving as Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural). Over the course of his administrative career, he has held several senior assignments, including Divisional Commissioner, Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, and various responsibilities in the state government.
In his new role as Secretary, Planning, Dr. Raj Shekhar will be responsible for overseeing key aspects of the state’s development planning and policy framework. His additional charge as Director General, Economics and Statistics will place him at the centre of the state’s economic data and statistical administration, supporting evidence-based planning and policymaking.
The appointment is part of a broader administrative reshuffle involving 17 IAS officers across Uttar Pradesh. The changes have resulted in the realignment of responsibilities across several important areas, including planning, rural development, urban development, cooperation, AYUSH and higher education.
Dr. Raj Shekhar’s extensive experience across infrastructure, transport and public administration is expected to add depth to his new responsibilities. His move to the Planning Department comes at an important stage, with development planning and effective utilisation of data playing an increasingly important role in government policy and programme implementation.
The new assignment marks a significant transition in his administrative career, bringing his experience in managing large government institutions and development-oriented portfolios to the state’s core planning and economic administration.
