Prashant Kumar Singh is a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Manipur cadre. He was appointed Chief Secretary of Manipur on 11 January 2025, after being repatriated from central deputation. He served in this capacity until 21 July 2025.
Education & Background
Singh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Sustainable Development from TERI University, New Delhi. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his leadership in both state and central government roles.
Career and Appointments
Central Assignments
Before assuming the role of Chief Secretary, Singh served as Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and previously as Chief Executive Officer of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He played a significant role in advancing policy and digital governance at the national level.
Chief Secretary of Manipur
Prashant Kumar Singh took over as Chief Secretary of Manipur during a sensitive period marked by civil unrest and ethnic tensions. His tenure involved coordinating governance responses, overseeing relief operations, and maintaining administrative order during President’s Rule in the state. He was succeeded by Puneet Kumar Goel on 21 July 2025.
Key Responsibilities & Focus Areas
- Coordinated state-level humanitarian relief and governance operations in areas affected by ethnic conflict, including districts like Churachandpur.
- Oversaw inter-departmental coordination for civil supplies, shelter, and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.
- Led administrative accountability during controversies involving community sensitivities, including ordering inquiries and issuing policy guidelines.
- Played a stabilizing role during the period of President’s Rule, when legislative activities were suspended.
Summary
Prashant Kumar Singh brought technical expertise and policy insight to the role of Chief Secretary during a complex and sensitive period in Manipur’s governance. With prior experience in central leadership and a strong administrative track record, his tenure was marked by crisis management, inter-agency coordination, and efforts to maintain order and service delivery under extraordinary circumstances.