The Government of Madhya Pradesh has officially appointed Shri Ashok Barnwal, IAS (1991 Batch), as the new Chief Secretary of the state. Shri Barnwal assumes the state’s top bureaucratic office following the appointment of outgoing Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain (1989 Batch) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog by the Central Government.
A senior administrator with over three decades of distinguished service in the Indian Administrative Service, Shri Barnwal holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mining Engineering and post-graduate qualifications. Prior to taking charge as Chief Secretary, he served as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Public Health & Medical Education, Commissioner of Food Safety, and held charge of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department.
Throughout his career, Shri Barnwal has held key leadership positions across major sectors, including health, environment, public finance, agriculture, forests, and district administration. Known for his administrative acumen and policy leadership, he brings a proven track record of managing complex public administration challenges and executing welfare programs.
As Chief Secretary, Shri Barnwal will spearhead the state’s administrative machinery, focusing on:
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Governance & Delivery: Accelerating governance reforms, improving public service delivery, and fostering administrative efficiency.
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Flagship Programs: Monitoring the execution of key state and central development initiatives, infrastructure projects, and social welfare programs.
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Inter-Departmental Synergy: Strengthening policy coordination across administrative departments to drive economic growth and public welfare.
Shri Barnwal’s appointment marks a seamless transition in Madhya Pradesh’s executive leadership as the state continues its focus on sustainable growth, governance reforms, and public service excellence.
