Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1992 batch
Cadre: Bihar
Current Position: Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
Assumed Office: September 2023
Early Career and Background
Shri Chanchal Kumar is a senior IAS officer known for his extensive administrative experience at both state and central levels. Belonging to the 1992 batch of the Indian Administrative Service from the Bihar cadre, he has held several important positions in government, particularly in infrastructure, planning, and governance reforms.
He has served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Bihar and has been associated with key developmental and infrastructure initiatives in the state. At the national level, he has held positions such as Managing Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), where he contributed to national-level planning and project execution.
Role as Secretary, DoNER
As Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Chanchal Kumar is responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning, and coordination of development activities across the eight northeastern states of India. Under his leadership, the ministry has emphasized transparency, digital governance, infrastructure expansion, and investment promotion in the region.
He has overseen the implementation of fully digital systems for project monitoring and approval, introduced geo-tagging for real-time updates on ongoing works, and fostered cooperation with academic institutions and think tanks to enhance research-backed policy interventions.
Focus Areas
- Infrastructure Development: Accelerated road, rail, and air connectivity projects to integrate remote areas into the national mainstream.
- Investment Promotion: Encouraged private sector investment in tourism, agriculture, information technology, and green energy sectors.
- Sustainability: Advocated for environmentally sustainable development, especially in sectors like bamboo cultivation, solar power, and eco-tourism.
- Capacity Building: Promoted institutional collaboration for better governance practices, policy development, and leadership training across the Northeast.
Leadership Style
Shri Kumar is known for his result-oriented and reform-driven administrative approach. His tenure reflects an emphasis on inclusive development, improved monitoring mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that government interventions reach their intended beneficiaries efficiently.
Summary
Shri Chanchal Kumar’s tenure as Secretary, DoNER, is marked by strategic focus on transparency, efficiency, and sustainable development in India’s Northeast. With deep experience in infrastructure and governance, he continues to play a pivotal role in aligning regional development with national priorities.