Meet 8 IAS Officers From Bihar Cadre Who Rose To Top Positions
KK Pathak, a senior IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, currently serves as Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. Widely respected for his no-nonsense administrative style and distinguished academic background, he has been instrumental in implementing several notable reforms. During his tenure as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Education Department in Bihar, his decisions frequently attracted public attention. His name became familiar across generations, from schoolchildren to senior citizens.
Arunish Chawla, a 1992 batch Bihar cadre officer, is renowned for his dedication, strong administrative acumen, and deep understanding of economic policy. Hailing from a small village in Haryana, he holds MSc and PhD degrees from the London School of Economics. He cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination at the age of just 23, beginning his career as an Assistant Collector in Palamu district (now in Jharkhand) in 1993. He later served as District Magistrate in Kaimur, Aurangabad, and Jehanabad. He currently serves as Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management.
Chanchal Kumar, also a 1992 batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, is presently the Secretary of the Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region. A native of Madhubani district, he holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur, as well as a Master's in International Development Policy and Applied Economics from Duke University, USA. He has previously served as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Sandeep Paundrik, a 1993 batch officer of the Bihar cadre, is currently Secretary in the Ministry of Steel. Originally from Rajasthan, he holds an engineering degree in Electrical Engineering and is known for being active on social media. He is widely regarded as a sharp and efficient officer.
Sunil Barthwal, a 1989 batch IAS officer, serves as Secretary in the Department of Commerce and Industry. He previously held the position of Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi (BA Hons in Economics), he also holds an MA in Economics from JNU and a postgraduate diploma in Economics and Competition Law from King's College, London. He has served on the boards of major public sector companies including SAIL, NMDC, MECON, MSTC, and NIIF.
Anshuli Arya, also from the 1989 batch, currently holds the post of Secretary in the Department of Official Language. Her previous roles include Principal Secretary-cum-Mines Commissioner in Bihar and Administrator of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Department of Telecommunications. She is the daughter of Professor Anand Swaroop Arya, in whose honour an Institute Chair Professorship was instituted at IIT Roorkee.
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Sanjay Kumar, a 1990 batch IAS officer from Bihar, is Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. He has served in various key departments, including as Principal Secretary in both the Education and Health Departments in Bihar. He is known for his sharp administrative skills and effective leadership.
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