Prabodh Saxena is a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre. He assumed office as Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh on 31 December 2022, becoming the administrative head of the state government.
Education & Background
Saxena holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Delhi University and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics. Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, he has extensive experience in public administration across state, central, and multilateral institutions, and has travelled to more than 75 countries.
Career and Appointments
- Saxena began his administrative career serving as a Sub-Divisional Officer in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, followed by district postings including Deputy Commissioner in Mandi.
- At the central level, he held senior roles such as Director in the Department of Economic Affairs, and also served as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank in Manila.
- His appointment as Chief Secretary on 31 December 2022 superseded several officers senior in batch.
- In March 2025, he was granted a six-month extension beyond his retirement date of 31 March, marking the first such extension for a Chief Secretary in the state. His service was extended through 30 September 2025.
Key Focus Areas & Contributions
- He has overseen governance reforms and continued major policy initiatives, ensuring administrative continuity.
- Saxena’s stewardship occurred during times of political transition and bureaucratic reorganization, maintaining stability at the administrative helm.
- His legal and international experience underpins his leadership in state-level coordination and reform measures.
Summary
Prabodh Saxena is a legally trained, internationally exposed civil servant with over thirty years of administrative experience. As Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, he continues to lead the state’s civil service with a focus on governance continuity, policy execution, and reform, supported by a rare tenure extension underscoring institutional confidence in his leadership.