Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav is new Chief Secretary of J&K

Srinagar, Oct 24: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday appointed Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995‑batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir.
In an order, the MHA posted him as new CS of J&K- the most prestigious bureaucratic position in the UT.
“With the approval of the competent authority, Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav, IAS (AGMUT:1995), is hereby transferred from Delhi to Jammu & Kashmir and posted as Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir with effect from November 1, 2025, or from the date of joining,” reads the order.
Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav will replace Atal Dulloo, a 1989‑batch IAS officer, who is scheduled to retire on October 31.
The appointment came as a surprise, as it was widely assumed that the incumbent Chief Secretary would receive an extension or that one of the officers from the J&K segment of the AGMUT cadre would be chosen for the position.
Born on January 5, 1969, the IAS officer holds a Master of Public Administration in Economics from Harvard University, another MPA in Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Delhi.
He cracked the IAS examination at the age of 25.
He began his career as Assistant Commissioner in Mizoram, serving from September 22, 1997, to July 1, 1998. He later worked as Deputy Commissioner in Arunachal Pradesh and as Deputy Commissioner of South Delhi district between 1998 and 2002.
From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Yadav served as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister of Delhi. During his central deputation, he held positions in several Union ministries, including Finance, Women & Child Development, and Health & Family Welfare. At the Ministry of Finance, he served as Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Special Secretary.
The 1995-batch AGMUT cadre officer was currently serving as additional secretary and chief executive officer of Delhi Jal Board.
During his career spanned over three decades, he has also served as Advisor to the Administrator of Daman and Diu & Advisor to Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration.
Apart from his administrative career, Dr. Yadav is also a published author and policy researcher.
His book, India’s Vaccine Growth Story from Cowpox to Vaccine, traces the evolution of India’s vaccine ecosystem and highlights the country’s historical contributions to immunization and public health.
The work gained attention during the COVID-19 period for its research-driven analysis of India’s vaccine journey.
He also authored Scaling Mount UPSC: 7 IAS Officers’ Journeys, a motivational book that chronicles the journeys of civil servants who overcame challenges to clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination. (KNO)