Sri Vijaya Puram, August 10: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to get a new Chief Secretary with 1998-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer Gyanesh Bharti emerging as the frontrunner for the post, according to reports circulating in bureaucratic and media circles. The development was also reported by Bureaucrats Media on X, which said Bharti is expected to be appointed to the top administrative position in the Union Territory.
Bharti, 52, currently serves as Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India in New Delhi, a post at the Additional Secretary level that he has held since August 2025. He is among the senior-most officers of his batch and has previous administrative experience in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Bharti began his major field career in the islands after completing his initial training. He served as Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar district from July 11, 2002, to October 31, 2003, before taking charge as Deputy Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from November 1, 2003, to October 21, 2005.
During his island postings, Bharti handled district administration, revenue matters, disaster management, and coordination of development activities across the island groups. His earlier tenure gave him direct administrative experience of the geographical and governance challenges associated with the Union Territory.
After completing his island assignments, Bharti held several senior positions in Delhi and the Union government. His career included responsibilities as Additional Commissioner in Trade and Taxes under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Secretary of the New Delhi Municipal Council.
He also served in multiple joint-secretary-level positions in the Union government, including assignments in the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Bharti later became the first Commissioner of the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi, serving from 2022 to 2024. He subsequently served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development from 2024 to 2025 before moving to the Election Commission of India.
If appointed, Bharti would return to the islands to head the civil administration. The Chief Secretary serves as the head of the civil services, principal adviser to the Lieutenant Governor on policy and administrative matters, and a key coordinator of inter-departmental and Centre-UT affairs.
The anticipated appointment is yet to be formally notified. The appointment is expected to be issued through a government order by the Union Territory administration with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
