Sanjay Jaju (IAS) wins the race to become new Chief Secretary, Telangana

New Delhi: The State government on Friday appointed 1992-batch IAS officer Sanjay Jaju as Telangana’s new Chief Secretary, replacing K. Ramakrishna Rao, who will retire on June 30 and take up the post of Advisor and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. The central govt had repatriated Jaju to his parent Telangana cadre earlier this week, setting off speculation that he is being considered for the state’s chief secretary post.

The State government on Friday issued orders naming Sanjay Jaju (IAS) as the new Chief Secretary. He succeeds K. Ramakrishna Rao, a 1991-batch officer, who will attain superannuation on June 30 and has been appointed Advisor and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.

Follow The PSUWatch Channel on WhatsApp

Jaju has also been given additional charge as Special Chief Secretary of the Industries, Commerce and ITE&C departments and will serve as Special Chief Secretary and CEO of the Industry and Investment Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office. A former GHMC Commissioner and Civil Supplies Commissioner, he has been serving in the Central government since 2014.

Educated in mechanical engineering, Jaju holds a postgraduate degree, is a qualified Cost & Management Accountant and has an MBA in Finance. His career spans urban development, infrastructure, civil supplies, education and tribal welfare. Known as an advocate for using information technology in development and governance, his work with the Digital Development Partnership (DDP) reflects that focus.

Follow PSU Watch on LinkedIN

Sanjay Jaju (IAS) was given central deputation in 2014. Since then, he has held various important positions in the central government barring a few months in 2022 when he was OSD, Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi. Following are the positions Jaju has held in his rare central deputation that lasted close to 12 years:

1. Director, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) — October 2014 to March 2018

2. Joint Secretary, Department of Defence Production - March 2018 to November 2020

3. Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production - November 2020 to 2023

4. Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting - February 2024 to March 2026

5. Secretary, Ministry of DONER - April 2026 to June 2026

6. Repatriated to parent Telangana cadre in June 2026, ahead of being considered for the Chief Secretary post

Outside his official duties, Jaju is also a poet. He writes in his spare time, drawing on themes from nature, governance and social change, and has participated in literary forums and poetry readings. Colleagues say his interest in poetry informs his reflective approach to public service and communication.

(PSU Watch is India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy. 👉 Click to join our channel now: PSUWatch WhatsApp Channel. Prefer LinkedIn? Follow PSU Watch on LinkedIN. Click to stay connected on Twitter here and stay updated)