/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176909046301776926.webp)
In 2026, around 300 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers are set to retire, according to data from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). These officers, serving across various states and the central government, have been integral to Indian governance and policy-making over the past three decades.
Their retirement is expected to bring significant administrative changes at both the state and central levels.
Key Positions Impacted
Notably, top administrative roles such as Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretaries of important states, and central government Secretaries will see retirements. Current Cabinet Secretary Dr TV Somanathan is due to retire this year, though an extension is possible, following the precedent set by former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.
Experts note that the departure of so many senior officers will require both central and state governments to make major adjustments, as these positions involve crucial decision-making responsibilities. While some officers may receive extensions, most will retire upon reaching the age of 60.
State-Wise Retirements
Certain states are expected to feel the impact more acutely:
- Uttar Pradesh: 31 officers
- Punjab: 14 officers
- Haryana: 13 officers
- Madhya Pradesh: 15 officers
- Odisha: 12 officers
- Tamil Nadu: 13 officers
- AGMUT cadre: 29 officers
The large number of retirements in states like Uttar Pradesh, over 30 senior officers, could affect the functioning of the entire administrative system.
Officers Holding Top Positions
More than 20 IAS officers currently hold positions such as Chief Secretary, Secretary in the central government, Joint Secretary, or Additional Secretary. Their retirement will create openings for new appointments.
Some notable officers retiring in 2026 include:
- TV Somanathan – Cabinet Secretary, Government of India
- Dharmendra – Chief Secretary, Delhi
- Anu Garg – Chief Secretary, Odisha
- Anurag Rastogi – Chief Secretary, Haryana
- Donald P Wahlang – Chief Secretary, Meghalaya
- Kamran Rizvi – Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries
- Abhilaksh Likhi – Secretary, Fisheries Department
- TK Ramachandran – Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- Alka Tiwari – Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
- Deepak Kumar – Agriculture Production Commissioner, UP
- Devesh Chaturvedi – Additional Chief Secretary, UP
- Archana Agarwal – Additional Chief Secretary, UP
- Amit Ghosh – Additional Chief Secretary, Health, UP
- Anurag Agarwal – Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab
- Sarvjeet Singh – Special Chief Secretary, Sports, Punjab
- Sudhir Rajpal – Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana
- Arun Kumar Gupta – Principal Secretary to CM, Haryana
- Maninder Kaur Dwivedi – Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture
- Sudhakar B. Telang – Senior IAS, Maharashtra… and many more.
The Uttar Pradesh cadre will witness the most significant transitions, with approximately 30-34 IAS officers retiring in 2026. These retirements will require considerable reshuffling and promotions to maintain administrative continuity.
Central Government Impact
At the central level, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan’s tenure is expected to end in August 2026.
Alongside him, the retirements of Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal and Heavy Industries Secretary Kamran Rizvi will open opportunities for key new appointments in the central administration.
